Kristen Bell’s best-dressed looks
She started out as a teenage detective and ended up a princess. And like her TV and film personas, Kristen Bell has had quite the style transformation!
From Veronica Mars to Princess Anna (and beyond), the actress has been delighting us with her chic red carpet looks for years. A little over a decade ago, she mostly played it sweet and safe with prom-glam outfits. Then her hemlines started rising and her necklines started dipping. She got bolder and more elegant and before we knew it, we had a new style star in our midst!
We’ve loved seeing Kristen’s transformation from sweet to sophisticated to downright glam and sexy. Keep reading to see more of her style.
Written by Fatima Araos for StyleBistro.
2005
Kristen wowed on the red carpet of the People’s Choice Awards in 2005 in a red deep v-cut dress and intricate up-d0.
July 2006
Kristin Bell paired a gold strapless tea length dress with shiny gold heels for the CW Network Summer TCA Party.
November 2006
Kristen shimmered in an ice-mauve cocktail dress at the Fine Romance event. Basic black pumps completed her outfit.
October 2007
Kristen donned a heavily ruffled one-shoulder top for the Monique Lhuillier Salon opening. She balanced out her frilly blouse with a simple black skirt.
October 2007
Kristen looked sophisticated in a purple shift dress with a ruffled hem at the Frederick’s of Hollywood Spring 2008 collection debut. A pair of animal-print peep-toes added some wild appeal.
April 2008
Kristen went tropical-glam in a strapless maxi dress by Jenni Kayne for the premiere of Forgetting Sarah Marshall. She finished off her look with a messy updo.
July 2008
Kristen channeled Barbie in a strapless magenta mini dress for the 2008 ESPY Awards. A gold clutch, a statement necklace, and a choppy ‘do topped off her look.
January 2009
Kristen caught eyes in a red Etro halter gown with a black belt at the 2009 InStyle/Warner Bros. Golden Globe party. She styled her dress with a diamond drop necklace.
October 2009
Kristen got dolled up in a strapless Marchesa dress with baby-blue chiffon detailing for the premiere of Couples Retreat. She paired her frock with silver Louboutin peep-toes.
November 2009
Kristen looked sassy in a silver bandeau top and mini skirt combo at the 2009 American Music Awards. Messy locks amped up the edgy-sexy vibe.
January 2010
Kristen rocked a choker-detail maxi dress by Etro at the 2010 Grammys. Loose tresses topped off her look.
February 2010
Kristen went for all-out sparkle in a beaded gold dress by Stella McCartney at the 2010 Costume Designers Guild Awards. She matched her frock with bronze peep-toes.
March 2010
Kristen oozed elegance wearing this draped red one-shoulder dress by Lela Rose at the Artists for Peace and Justice event. Classic center-parted waves capped off her look.
March 2010
Kristen looked perfectly sweet in a dusty-lilac mini dress by Alberta Ferretti at the Backstage at the Geffen Gala. She paired her dress with strappy nude peep-toes.
April 2010
Kristen wore a figure-hugging bandage-style Herve Leger dress with neutral heels to the Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
May 2010
Kristen was a work of art in a tiered, ruffled strapless gown by Diane von Furstenberg at the 2010 Met Gala. A rainbow-hued chain bracelet added a subtle pop of color.
September 2010
Kristen looked fetching in a lace-panel strapless dress by Valentino at the premiere of You Again. She contrasted her dainty dress with an edgy studded clutch.
May 2011
Kristen was a golden goddess in a Tory Burch one-shoulder gown at the 2011 Met Gala. Her wavy updo amped up the elegance.
December 2011
Kristen looked ethereal in a white one-shoulder gown by Dior at the 2011 UNICEF Ball. A metallic clutch and tassel earrings polished off her outfit.
January 2012
Kristen chose a red leather and lace dress by Valentino for the 2012 People’s Choice Awards. She styled her look with Christian Louboutin cap-toe pumps.
May 2012
Kristen looked divine in an orange halter gown by Tommy Hilfiger at the 2012 Met Gala. Her metallic gold clutch worked beautifully with her dress.
June 2012
Kristen kicked off hosting duties at the 2012 CMT Music Awards in a stunning Reem Acra gown.
August 2012
Kristen wore a striking black jumpsuit to the “Hit and Run” premiere in August 2012. Kristen starred alongside Kristin Chenoweth, Bradley Cooper and Tom Arnold in the film her then-fiance wrote and co-directed.
October 2012
Kristen looked polished in this belted blazer and boots for a dressed down red-carpet look during fall 2012.
January 2013
Kristen made a magnificent choice with this beaded empire gown by Jenny Packham for the 2013 Golden Globes. This looked perfect for her growing baby bump.
June 2013
Kristen gave us bondage vibes with this harness-detailed column dress at the 2013 CMT Music Awards. We loved seeing this edgy-sexy side of the actress!
March 2014
Kristen looked breathtaking in a strapless fishtail gown by Roberto Cavalli at the 2014 Oscars. What a gorgeous silhouette and texture!
March 2014
Kristen’s post-Oscar look was just as stunning! This deep-V red gown was by Zuhair Murad.
2015
Kristen went ultra feminine in a fuchsia Monique Lhuillier cocktail dress that featured a layered organza skirt at the 2015 People’s Choice Awards. Silver Louboutin pumps finished off her look.
March 2016
Kristen made us swoon with this strapless ice-blue dress by Reem Acra at the premiere of The Boss. This was sexy yet oh-so-elegant at once!
September 2016
Kristen donned a floral princess gown by Zuhair Murad Couture for the 2016 Emmys. She looked absolutely stunning!
January 2017
Kristen was the epitome of glamour at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards. This sequined Jenny Packham gown, diamond jewelry and her hair in loose waves really knocked it out of the park.
January 2017
Kristen looked radiant in a metallic pink strapless gown by Maria Lucia Hohan at the Art of Elysium Heaven Gala. She paired her dress with a perspex box clutch by Charlotte Olympia.
October 2017
Kristen was perfectly posh in this Michael Kors Collection gown for the “Bad Moms Christmas” premiere.
November 2017
Kristen kept it fun yet glam at the 2017 Baby2Baby Gala in a pastel-blue Vika Gazinskaya gown with butterfly sleeves. She topped off her look with a messy updo.
January 2018
Kristen looked like a princess in a strapless fuchsia ball gown by J. Mendel at the 2018 SAG Awards. She matched her dress with a faceted clutch by Judith Leiber.
January 2018
Kristen was all about goth glamour in a plunging black ball gown by Yanina Couture while posing at the SAG Awards press room. Dangling emerald earrings and a matching ring finished off her ensemble.
March 2018
Kristen was adorably on-trend in this skirt and blouse combo from Kiwi designer Emily Wickstead (Kate Middleton is among her fans) for Nickelodeon’s 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards.
June 2018
Kristen looked sizzling-hot in a mesh-panel mini dress by Julien Macdonald at the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards. She coordinated her frock with black and gold pumps by Charlotte Olympia.
September 2018
Kristen looked chic at the 7th Annual Women Making History Awards where she was honored for her activism on behalf of women’s equality.
September 2018
Kristen went with a simple, stunning look for the 70th Emmy Awards. On a red carpet where it’s common for actresses to wear gowns that cost thousands, Kristen’s Solace London gown retails for just $530.