Gorgeous, Oscar-winning actress Penelope Cruz is simply stunning. But while she isn't afraid to be frilly and fancy on the red carpet, she also has a enviable casual personal style. She's been out of the spotlight lately because she's been pregnant (she and hubby Javier Bardem recently welcomed their second child), but in the last few years, she's wowed us with some of her outfits.

Cruz's powder puff pink Atelier Versace gown, which showed some leg, was a rich contrast to her bronzy Mediterranean skin. (Now you know why she usually winds up on "best dressed" lists after major events.)

Penelope Cruz Pink Atelier Versace
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But cloaked in head-to-toe black here, Cruz was too covered up by a heavy, bulky outfit. You couldn't see her slammin' body, and the frumpy layers detracted from her beauty.

Penelope Cruz Black Coat Frumpy
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What's Right:

Cruz poured her frame into this off-the-shoulder, lace Emilio Pucci mini with scalloped edging and detailing. It was sexy without being showy.

Penelope Cruz Emilio Pucci Lace
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Penelope's maroon Armnai Prive gown was Grecian goddess with its one-shoulder construction and simple draping.

Penelope Cruz Armani Prive Maroon
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In a casual orange coat and bell bottom jeans, Cruz cut the figure of a youthful, stylish mom (she had her first baby in 2011). The flirty bangs were also cute and youthful.

Penelope Cruz Coat Bell Jeans
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Here, Cruz was a hot mama in a black leather trench. This look is always sexy no matter who wears it -- because come on, who doesn't think "what's under there?" -- but the Latina beauty made it smolder.

Penelope Cruz Black Leather Trench
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What's Wrong:

This beige Michael Kors dress, with its draping and slit, was okay enough. The color washed the actress out, but what's up with the greasy, slicked-back hair? She has thick chocolate locks and this unkempt, doused-in-product look is unbecoming.

Penelope Cruz Biege Michael Kors
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The fire engine red hue, strapless silhouette and pleating on this vintage Versace gown were aces, but it was too short on Cruz. The straight construction didn't do anything for her curvy figure, and it would have benefited from a train of some sort.

Penelope Cruz Red Vintage Versace
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These black and white separates were booooooring. The floods cut way too high and made her look short, and except for the badass stilettos, the styling was staid and safe.

Penelope Cruz Black and White Floods
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How to Fix It:

Cruz needn't diverge from her usual red carpet gowns. She always chooses wisely -- like this bright blue, one-shoulder Versace. The ruching was darling and the mermaid cut clung to every curve.

Penelope Cruz Blue One Shoulder Versace
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Even when dressing down a little -- as in not red carpet-ready -- Cruz does her best in fitted, classic cuts like this pink and black dress that had a "sexy librarian" vibe to it.

When she shows off her figure or plays with volume in a youthful and trendy way (like in the coat and bell bottoms she wore a few photos up), we're in. If Cruz sticks to those golden rules, she'll remain one of Hollywood's best dressed.

Penelope Cruz Pink Dress
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