Breaking away from her favourite black! Jennifer Aniston is white hot as she sizzles in a low-cut gown complete with sexy slit to the thigh

She often opts for basic black on the red-carpet.
But Jennifer Aniston broke her usual mould this evening, and looked simply sizzling in a white gown which showed off plenty of leg and decolletage.
The 43-year old actress slipped into the low-cut attire, slit to the thigh and open at the back, to help honour actress Shirley MacLaine with an AFI Life Achievement Award.
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White on: Jennifer Aniston looked dazzling in a full-length white gown that showed off her fantastic figure

The Horrible bosses star, who is known for her high maintenance beauty routine, rumoured to cost thousands of dollars a month, spent the day at a spa earlier in the week to great effect.
With her usual perma-tan the Friends actress positively glowed as she mingled with studio executives and fellow movie stars including Meryl Streep and Melanie Griffith.
The stars were out in force in all their finery tonight at the Sony Studios in Los Angeles.
A cast of big screen names gathered to honor actress MacLaine with the much coveted Award, but clearly Jennifer scooped the award for most glamorous gown.

Schmoozing: Jennifer gets cozy with Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer

The private black tie gala was held at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City and honoree Meryl Streep was on hand to present MacLaine with the American Film Institute’s 40th Life Achievement Award – America’s highest honor for a career in film.

Streep, who was honoured with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2004 and played MacLaine’s daughter in the film Postcards from the Edge was joined by Jack Nicholson and John Travolta.
MacLaine’s career comprises more than 50 feature films highlighted by an Academy Award win and six nominations, six Emmy Awards nominations and seven Golden Globe Awards.

Working girls: Fellow actresses Jennifer Aniston and Melanie Griffith pose for the cameras

Fishing for compliments: Meryl Streep and Jennifer pat each others backs

Jack's back: The Terms of Endearment actor paid tribute to his co-star

Stars nibbled on salmon and drank white wine while speeches were delivered by past award winners including Morgan Freeman, brother Warren Beatty and Steel Magnolias co-star Julia Roberts.
'The world loves Shirley MacLaine,' said Bob Gazzale, President and CEO of AFI. 'The challenge will be how to fit it all into one evening because hers is a life that spans from movies to television to Broadway, books and beyond.'
Starlet Dakota Fanning looked beautiful in a full-length coral gown with an embellished black belt while Mena Suvari opted for a cream gown with a keyhole neckline.

Honour: Julia Roberts co-starred in Steel Magnolias with Shirley MacClaine

Appreciation: The stars were there to honour Shirley MacClaine with a Lifetime Achievement Award

Award winners: Past winner Meryl poses with present winner Shirley

Glamorous starlets: Dakota Fanning and Mena Suvari both wore full-length gowns

Family affair: Brother Warren Beatty was on hand, as was friend Morgan Freeman

Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern also wore a gorgeous white lace dress with white peep toe pumps while Melanie Griffith seemed slightly under-dressed in a business-like dress and cropped jacket.
Knocked Up star Katherine Heigl upped the glamour stakes in a daring black gown with a slit all the way up the thigh.
The actress looked stunning in her floor-length attire, which featured gold beading at the sides and the straps.
The event will be broadcast by TV Land on Sunday, June 24.

Countess of Grantham: Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern attended

Star power: Melanie Griffith and Claire Pfister were also on hand for the celebration

Black tie affair: Marcia Gay Harden and Katherine Heigl opt for black dresses and diamonds

Beauty in blue: Steel Magnolias co-star Sally Fields in aquamarine

Tributes: Actor John Travolta speaks onstage at the ceremony