Berry nice.

Halle Berry, red carpet veteran and hair icon extraordinaire achieved sheer, cut-out greatness at the annual Hollywood Foreign Press Association Grants Banquet in Los Angeles Thursday night.

Wearing a teal and lace Noam Hanoch dress with sheer paneling that exposed just the right amount of midriff, the 49-year-old (who celebrates a birthday Friday!) proved there is, in fact, a classy way to bare some skin. The trick is in strategically placed panels and an elegant knee-length hemline to balance out the look. Of course, Berry nailed it.

Berry let the dress speak for itself, paired with minimal jewelry and natural makeup, not to mention those stellar bangs.

Happy birthday to one very stylish star.

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