After winning "American Idol," she wore one of her most memorable looks to date at the "Swimfan" premiere.

It included a strapless tie-dye dress over bootcut jeans and platform sandals. Clarkson also sported a statement pendant and a red newsboy cap.

Clarkson wore various versions of the fashion staple that year, including at the Billboard Music Awards.

Her strapless dress that night had a knee-length skirt, a bustier bodice, and all-over ruching. She wore it with pointed pumps and long diamond earrings.

At the 2004 American Music Awards, Clarkson walked the red carpet wearing a floor-length gown with satin detailing.

She accessorized the red ensemble with gold sandals and matching earrings, and completed the look with an updo hairstyle.

For most of her performances in 2005, Clarkson appeared onstage in torn band T-shirts, low-rise jeans, and either sandals or sneakers.

She wore a version of that exact outfit — a Rolling Stones top, low-rise pants, and a studded belt — to perform at the 2005 Wango Tango concert.

For the 2006 Grammy Awards, Clarkson stunned in a black Max Azria gown.

The strapless piece had a form-fitting bodice and full, ruffled skirt, which added unique texture and mirrored the wavy style of her hair.

She attended the ASCAP Pop Music Awards that year in an olive-toned shift dress with a beaded neckline and bubble skirt.

Clarkson also debuted a new bob hairstyle that night and accessorized with a silver bracelet and sandals.

At the 2009 American Music Awards, Clarkson walked the red carpet in a sleeveless CD Greene design.

The knee-length dress had clusters of silver sequins at the top and more embellishments cascading down its bodice and skirt.

She wore the garment with fishnet tights, black pumps, and a crimped red hairstyle.

At concerts that year, Clarkson performed while wearing band T-shirts and skinny jeans.

For a show in Birmingham, for example, she hit the stage in black denim, a ripped UFO concert tee, and a sparkling vest.

Clarkson especially seemed to favor the color while promoting her Christmas album "Wrapped in Red."

She wore it during a visit to the SiriusXM Studios via a plaid dress with zipper detailing, a cropped sweater, and studded sandal heels.

During another visit to the SiriusXM Studios, she wore a music-inspired outfit that included a knee-length skirt printed with images of vinyl records.

She also wore gold sandals and a yellow T-shirt that said New York City.

Her office-ready style included black minidresses, sheer tights, and pointed pumps — just like she wore to appear on "Extra" that year.

Clarkson was also sporting blonde hair in loose waves at that point.

At the "UglyDolls" premiere, Clarkson walked the orange carpet in a hot-pink gown designed by Christian Siriano. It had a floor-length skirt with a short train and giant, puffy sleeves.

The outfit was likely inspired by Moxy, the pink "UglyDolls" character that Clarkson voiced for the film.

She attended the 2020 Billboard Music Awards in an outfit that perfectly embodied that style.

Balmain designed her silver gown, which had large shoulder pads and fringe hanging from its skirt and sleeves.

In 2023, Clarkson performed in a series of bold outfits — including the lace jumpsuit she sported at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.

She wore the see-through garment under a blazer styled as a dress, and thigh-high leather boots.

Clarkson attended the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in a Rebecca Vallance minidress.

The long-sleeve piece was black with a sheer waist panel and metallic sequin embellishments all over.

She wore it with black sandal heels and her new wavy hairstyle with bangs.

When Clarkson performed her Las Vegas residency in 2025, she wore a tan gown covered in sparkles and feathers.

It hugged her body from her shoulders to her knees, where the gown was made of mesh and embellished with silver sequins.

Its sleeves and skirt were more dramatic. They puffed out and were covered in rows of feathers, which added texture and shape to the look.

Before "The Kelly Clarkson Show" ended in August 2026, Clarkson appeared in a multitude of chic outfits.

One of them was a sheer black gown with a plaid pattern. It revealed the bralette and miniskirt she wore beneath the floor-length piece.

She completed the outfit with neutral makeup and a wavy hairstyle.

Fanning portrays a young Effie Trinket in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," a character known for her outlandish outfits and dramatic head accessories.

Fanning perfectly paid tribute to Effie's style with her Robert Wun ensemble. Her ballerina-pink dress had a strapless neckline, with a second bodice floating around her torso and ending in a ruffled peplum for a high-fashion flair. A full tulle skirt flowed to her ankles, showing off her coordinating pumps.

The showstopping element of Fanning's look, though, was her music-box-inspired headpiece, which featured a ballerina that spun as she walked the red carpet. Cartier jewelry completed the look.

Like Fanning, Culkin nodded to his "Sunrise on the Reaping" character with his red-carpet look, wearing a black jacket with sparkly embroidery that would be right up his character Caesar Flickerman's alley.

However, he paired the look with simple black trousers and a blue button-down, which didn't suit the jacket's glamorous vibe. A more dramatic shirt and bold accessories would have elevated the outfit.

Zada stars as Haymitch Abernathy in the film, and though he didn't nod to his character with his red-carpet outfit, he did look every bit the leading man.

Gucci designed Zada's suit, which included an oversize charcoal jacket and wide-legged pinstripe trousers. He wore a light-blue shirt under the jacket, a thin tie, and an off-center belt.

Statement sunglasses added a chic touch to the look.

Simone Rocha designed the green gown that Close, who plays handler Drusilla Sickle in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," wore to the premiere.

The moss-green dress had a high, boat-neck neckline and flowed into a sheath before cinching at the knee with bow-shaped ruching. The full skirt then flowed to the floor in a subtle pleated pattern.

The dress was a statement in and of itself, but Close then added black leather gloves and a black cane to the look. Ditching the gloves or choosing a matching pair would have been better.

Grace, who plays Maysilee Donner, has been having fun paying homage to "The Hunger Games" franchise with her red-carpet looks while promoting the film, and the fan screening was no exception.

She arrived in an Almée Couture gown covered in colorful sparkles that seemed to depict the arena landscape where Haymitch, Maysilee, and the other tributes compete during the 50th Hunger Games.

The sky was depicted on the top of the bodice, which had spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline, while a mountain range and a grassy field sat on her hips. Three-dimensional flowers sat at the bottom of the field, separating the bodice from the skirt, which flowed from her knee in sparkly, taupe fabric.

The details on the dress took it to the next level. There's even a small structure in the center of the field that appears to be the cornucopia that tributes rely on during the Hunger Games.

Mishiev, who plays Woodbine Chance in the film, chose a denim look for the screening.

He wore a white long-sleeved top with a chambray shirt over it, which was unbuttoned at the top and tucked into his pants. His pants were made of a darker denim, and he paired the look with a black belt and brown shoes.

It wasn't immediately clear how Mishiev's look might relate to his "Hunger Games" character, though it does somewhat resemble the outfits miners wear at work in District 12. Either way, it wasn't the best choice for the red carpet. The outfit may have worked better if he had worn the same shade of denim in both pieces and hadn't mixed colors with his accessories.

Peak attended the screening in a Chanel gown. The high-neck dress was covered in a collage of differently colored and textured fabrics, with black, green, yellow, and pink blending together. The black faded toward the length of the bodice, while the tulle skirt was in pastel hues only.

The high-fashion dress was pretty in its own right, but it also subtly nodded to Peak's "Sunrise on the Reaping" character, Lenore Dove Baird. In "The Hunger Games," Lenore is related to Lucy Gray Baird, the tribute from District 12 who wins the 10th Hunger Games, as depicted in "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes."

When she is reaped for the Games, Lucy wears "a dress made of a rainbow of ruffles, now raggedy but once fancy." Peak's gown seems like a high-fashion take on Lucy Gray's dress, connecting her character to the larger "Hunger Games" universe.

Fashion is leaning away from dropped shoulders and oversized, bulky shapes in heavy-textured sweaters, said David Zyla, stylist and author of "Color Your Style."

Instead, the stylist recommends reaching for structured sweaters that bring the volume higher up on the body through more defined shoulder details.

This might look like styles with "built-in shoulder pads and strong horizontal boat-neck seaming or balloon sleeves," Zyla told BI.

According to Fred Kim, a New York-based stylist, wearing baggy clothing from head to toe is fading in popularity. There's no need to rid your closet of relaxed pieces entirely, though.

Instead, the stylist recommends being more intentional about where you add volume.

"I think a modern approach would be just kind of getting rid of the oversized items and just keeping it a little more refined, or choose one area to create volume," Kim said.

For instance, he recommends pairing a fitted T-shirt with a relaxed trouser or a straight-leg jean with a looser-fitting jacket.

Wardrobe stylist Rachel Varney said booties that dip down too low on the ankle are starting to feel outdated.

"I just think that maybe it's better to keep our ankles covered for the fall," Varney told BI.

She also said booties with a side zipper can create an especially awkward gap between the shoe and the pants, which can create a less-flattering silhouette.

Instead, the stylist recommends opting for boots that come up higher on the ankle.

Tight bodycon silhouettes, plunging necklines, and cutout designs are stepping aside as softer, more romantic styles start to trend, Zyla said.

"This version of sexy this season is all about movement," the stylist told BI. Think vintage-inspired dresses with dropped waists and rich details like embroidery, beading, fringe, tulle, and velvet.

Moto jackets have been around for a while, Zyla said, and it might be time to replace them with something more modern.

The stylist suggested tailored, shrunken, and cropped fitted jackets as updated alternatives.

Funnel-neck jackets are an especially notable style this season, he said, appearing on everything from utility bombers to cropped silhouettes.

"Beyond the regal chic connotation of the tall, stiff collar, it's also a super-practical solve in keeping the neck warm," Zyla told BI.

Several of the stylists BI spoke with agreed that quiet luxury — which focuses on understated, minimalist fashions — is on its way out this autumn. Kim said the more neutral, uniform looks can feel a little too predictable.

"I just feel like we need to kind of liven up the wardrobe a little bit," Kim told BI. He recommended incorporating more color and texture, maybe even by bringing vintage pieces into your wardrobe.

According to Kim, cargo pants with too many pockets or zippers can feel outdated. Utility styles are still relevant, he said, but may be best done more simply.

"I would probably look for a relaxed cotton twill trouser with one or two subtle pockets, where you still get the functionality but you're not looking like you're heading into the woods or something," Kim told BI.

"I think it's time to put the dainty, minimalist multi-layered chain necklaces in a drawer and use your jewelry box to store some focal-point brooches," Zyla told BI.

There are a lot of options, he said. Brooches are showing up in a variety of designs, from autumnal motifs like leaves, pinecones, and acorns to more classic florals.

The stylist also suggests experimenting with placement rather than simply pinning one to your collar. Try adding a brooch to a handbag, using one to pin a cardigan closed, or placing one at the waistline of a dress.

Varney and Zyla both agreed that platform, clunky sneakers are worth skipping this season.

Chunkier styles can look especially clunky when paired with dresses, Varney said, and they also are often not as flattering as slimmer-fitting shoes.

Instead, the stylist recommends slimmer or sportier sneakers for a sleeker look. Zyla said satin sneakers are another solid footwear option gaining attention this season.

"These hybrid shoes feature soft satin finishes, really sleek low-profile silhouettes, and iconic lace-up ribbon ties," Zyla told BI.

Workout clothes as everyday wear is something Kim would love to see less of this season, particularly on men.

Comfort is still important, but the stylist recommends choosing more intentional fabrics, such as cotton, over synthetic materials that can sometimes read as overly casual.

Leather has been a longtime wardrobe staple in shoes, bags, and belts, but this season might feature more fun twists on the classic material.

For example, Zyla said, croc-embossed leather is gaining traction this fall.

"We're seeing it in leather jackets. We're seeing it in bags and skirts and handbags," Zyla told BI. The textured finish offers a more interesting alternative to basic leather this fall.

This story was originally published on September 15, 2026, and most recently updated on October 27, 2026.

When it comes to wearing jeans at a 9-to-5, I think a darker wash is always the best place to start, since it closely matches the color of a classic pair of dark trousers. Although black jeans can look professional, I prefer a dark-blue shade, as it still clearly reads as denim.

As for the fit, I love a wide-leg pair rather than a slimmer one because it gives the illusion of trousers while still maintaining a casual feel. This way, the look is still laid-back and comfortable, but the shape and color are more polished and professional.

Regarding the waist, I think individuals with shorter torsos should opt for a mid-to-low-rise jean, whereas those with longer torsos should reach for a higher-waisted alternative.

I love a cozy sweater, but pairing one with jeans can make an entire outfit feel too casual.

To avoid this, I like to pair denim with a top that has some interest. Think texture, beautiful buttons, an interesting collar, or an actual blouse.

If you really want to wear a sweater, I recommend layering it with a cardigan in the same color. Having those two distinct elements instantly makes the denim feel more put-together and gives the outfit more intention.

One of the easiest ways to instantly make jeans feel more polished for the office is to add a belt.

I like to think of a belt as the jewelry for your pants. Similar to how a necklace, earrings, or a bracelet can complete an outfit, a belt adds the extra detail that shows careful thought went into the look.

Whether it's a classic leather version with a simple buckle or something with a little more personality, a belt is a great addition that can immediately transform a casual look into corporate attire.

Not all denim worn in the workplace needs to be a traditional solid wash. For example, I think jeans with painted designs, tonal patterns, and interesting finishes and textures — like stitching — add so much more interest to the look.

However, be careful with the styling of textured denim. I recommend keeping the rest of the outfit simple and letting the patterned jeans serve as the focal point.

When it comes to selecting the right shoes to wear with jeans, there's a careful balance between looking professional and too casual.

I always recommend wearing a ballet flat, a pointed-toe heel, or a bootie.

If you do want to wear a sneaker, I suggest a low-profile, less bulky option — so it still looks put together with the denim.