Then And Now: Lacey Chabert's Stunning Fashion Glow-Up

From '90s child star to mean girl to Hallmark movie darling, Lacey Chabert has had an impressive career spanning nearly four decades in Hollywood. Daytime TV audiences first met her as Bianca Montgomery, the daughter of Susan Lucci's legendary character, Erika Kane, on "All My Children," and she became a household name a few years later while starring on the primetime teen drama "Party of Five." In her twenties, she scored arguably her most iconic role yet — that of Gretchen Wieners in "Mean Girls." Since the 2010s, Chabert has pivoted to become a Hallmark movie star, starring in over 40 of the network's projects and keeping herself in the spotlight. 

This lengthy career has led the multi-talented actor to walk dozens of red carpets year after year, letting fans watch her fashion transformation take place right before their eyes. Chabert acknowledged this in 2024 when she posted a slideshow of past wardrobe choices on Instagram, writing alongside the photos, "Believe it or not, I've been in this business since I was 7 years old! While I'd change some of the fashion choices ... I wouldn't change the wonderful experiences I've had! So thankful." As the star continues to add to her Hallmark resume, she's really stepped up her style and done a total fashion glow-up. Let's dive deep into her massive style transformation over the years.

While it may be hard to believe that the gorgeous Lacey Chabert has been acting for over three decades, this quintessentially '90s look certainly proves it. The then-13-year-old star arrived at the 1996 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in this schoolgirl chic look — a white button-down over a black jumper, complete with knee-high white socks and little lace-up dress shoes. The cute getup was age-appropriate and on trend, but a strange pick for a big Hollywood event. 

Can you get any more '90s than this photo of Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf attending the grand opening of a Planet Hollywood? The "Party of Five" stars were on hand for this Beverly Hills event in 1995, and Chabert opted for a funky menswear-inspired ensemble in honor of the occasion. The child star sported pinstripe trousers, a short-sleeved white button-down, suspenders, and a purple polka-dot tie. She finished the look with a pair of loafers. 

Before Lacey Chabert's stunning transformation, she was a child star. And one perk of being a child star is getting cast in some of the biggest kids' movies. In 1997, she was still starring in the hit teen drama "Party of Five" when she lent her singing voice to the character of young Anastasia in the animated film "Anastasia." She attended the premiere that November, wearing a zip-up jacket with a gray feathered collar and black jeans. Finishing off this getup? A pair of shiny black boots.

Lacey Chabert grew up in the spotlight — from her early soap opera role to her turn on "Party of Five." As she transitioned into a young woman, her style pivoted as well. Take a look at this grown-up look for the 1998 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards: the actor arrived in black coordinates. Chabert rocked a '90s-approved tank top with a feathered neckline and a short black leather skirt at the event, finishing things off with strappy black heels and leaving her usual menswear-inspired looks behind.

In 2000, Lacey Chabert turned 18, and her style transitioned once more. The actor began embracing the big '00s fashion trends, shown perfectly by this appearance at the 2001 movie premiere of "American Outlaws." Chabert arrived rocking a lacy cropped top with a bright red flower motif and three-quarter-length sleeves. She paired the trendy top with super low-waisted skinny jeans. Of the look, Chabert later said it was "fetch, but it was well intended" while appearing on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen".

An almost 20-year-old Lacey Chabert arrived at a Movieline event in August 2002 in this beach-ready, skin-baring ensemble. The actor, who was starting to transition from television roles to voice acting on the Nickelodeon animated series "The Wild Thornberrys," continued to show a more mature style in this tan top. It featured a low neckline, a slit up the front, and a unique cutout detail down the sides. She paired the shirt with low-waisted denim and tan heels. 

Remember the matching scarf and spaghetti-strapped top combo? Luckily, it seems to have stayed in the 2000s, but Lacey Chabert sported a cream-colored version in a semi-sheer lace fabric, complete with an '00s asymmetrical hemline, at the premiere of 'The Wild Thornberrys" in December 2002. The actor, who voiced Eliza Thornberry in the hit Nickelodeon cartoon, later reminisced about the outfit on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen", sharing that she was "so proud" of it and had purchased it at the '00s mall store staple Bebe.

In 2003, Lacey Chabert was on the brink of a massive career transformation — and her fashion followed suit. This really marked a turn in her looks, as she began wearing more mature, feminine clothes. Take this bold coral minidress, for instance, which she wore at an event leading up to the 2003 Cabana Pre-MTV Movie Awards Beauty Buffet. The actor, who starred in the film "Daddy Day Care" that year, rocked the dressy number with tan sandals and a half-up, half-down hairdo. 

Who's that girl? Lacey Chabert kicked off 2004 in this prim and polished look at quite a fancy event — a posh Jimmy Choo tea ahead of the Academy Awards that February. The star arrived in a black slip dress with subtle white polka-dot detail and tied a white sweater around her neck for maximum elegance. Black strappy sandals completed this very mature look on the then-21-year-old actor. Chabert's life would change two months later when arguably her most famous film, "Mean Girls," hit theaters. 

We still think about Lacey Chabert's perfect "Mean Girls" premiere dress. The beauty arrived at the big event in this stunning black gown with gold-embellished detailing. On a 2024 episode of "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," alongside her "Mean Girls" co-star Lindsay Lohan, Chabert revealed that the dress was Christian Dior. She still considers it "so fetch" in true Gretchen Wieners style. 

Dressed to impress for a good cause! Just one month after the release of "Mean Girls," Lacey Chabert walked the pink carpet at the 11th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala in May 2004 in this sweet pale blue slip dress. The spaghetti-strapped, knee-length design included sparkly embellishments along the neckline and hem and paired perfectly with her matching strappy blue sandals. 

2004 was a busy year for Lacey Chabert. She followed up "Mean Girls," with the starring role in the TV biopic "The Brooke Ellison Story," which chronicled the life of a quadriplegic woman who went on to graduate from Harvard University. Chabert arrived at the film's New York City premiere in this show-stopping white number — a strapless floor-length design with a low neckline that she wore with strappy silver sandals. 

Lacey Chabert for prom queen? In April 2005, Chabert arrived at ELLE GIRL magazine's first annual Hollywood Prom in this eye-catching, bright fuchsia frock. It featured a super-low neckline, ruching detail at the waist, and shimmering embellishments trailing down the bodice. The asymmetrical hemline showed off her matching hot pink sandals underneath, both of which made this look perfectly youthful for this pretend Hollywood prom. 

At the 2005 MTV Movie Awards, Lacey Chabert arrived in style. The star sported this perfectly on-trend '00s ensemble — a fitted bronze and crimson minidress with three-quarter-length sleeves. The confection included a super low neckline and a subtle shimmering detail over the bold design. Strappy metallic sandals added some extra shine to the winning look, which she rocked on stage after taking home the popcorn statue for Best Onscreen Team alongside her "Mean Girls" co-stars Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Amanda Seyfried. 

Lacey Chabert took a fashion risk that paid off in 2006. The star attended a Los Angeles fashion show that March in this unlikely color pairing of navy blue and dark green. Surprisingly, the color combo worked on this sweet sleeveless number, which featured a tie detail at the waist and an asymmetrical hemline. That same year, Chabert started lending her voice to another animated character, playing Kaycee in the "Bratz" television series and video games based on the hit toy brand. 

You can't go wrong with polka dots! Lacey Chabert chose this sweet midi-length polka-dot frock with thin straps and a sweetheart neckline in April 2006. The actor was on hand for a celebrity poker event in Santa Monica, California, that night. From the more mature silhouette to the way she paired it with strappy low-heeled sandals, this look exemplified Chabert's new, more sophisticated aesthetic. The 24-year-old even added the perfect pop of color via her dark red clutch. 

The following year, Lacey Chabert, who once had a crush on her on-screen brother, continued to show off her more mature style at the Step Up Women's Network's 4th Annual Inspirational Awards in Los Angeles. The actor arrived in this polished short-sleeved minidress for the occasion, with a low neckline and a bow detail at the waist. Champagne-hued satin peep-toe heels and a matching ivory clutch elevated this otherwise pretty casual dress selection and made it more red carpet ready. 

In 2009, 26-year-old Lacey Chabert landed a role alongside major Hollywood players like Jennifer Garner, Matthew McConaughey, and Emma Stone in the romantic comedy, "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past." When the film premiered in Los Angeles that April, Chabert glammed up for the occasion in this elegant dark blue gown. The one-shouldered, fitted design was perfectly tailored and paired well with her sleek updo. A chunky gold bracelet and a maroon and gold clutch elevated this look even further. 

Lacey Chabert loyally attended certain events in Hollywood, and the Step Up Women's Inspiration Awards was one of them. She's seen here at the annual charity event in Los Angeles in 2011, serving up some serious fashion in honor of a good cause. That year, Chabert donned this bold red number with a dazzling embellished neckline and gold detailing. She infused a little more gold via her clutch and strappy matching sandals and kept the attention on the unique dress with an artfully messy updo. 

Thirty-year-old Lacey Chabert attended another of her go-to events, the Best Buddies celebrity poker charity event, in August 2013 in this shimmering silver number. The star seemed to be embracing a new decade in this standout halter-style frock, which fell right below her knees and was complemented perfectly by matching peep-toe pumps. That year, the actor continued to lend her voice to a lot of animated projects, but she was starting to make a name for herself in a very popular type of content. 

The mid-2010s marked a major turning point in Lacey Chabert's career, and this fiery red dress captures her fire. The lacy red minidress featured short sleeves and a high neckline, and she rocked a red lip at that year's Hero Dog Awards. During this period, Chabert became a Hallmark movie darling, starring primarily in the network's Christmas content. She appeared in her first holiday Hallmark movie, "Matchmaker Santa," in 2012, and in 2014, starred in one of her most famous roles, "A Royal Christmas." 

New signature color alert! As Lacey Chabert became synonymous with Hallmark holiday movies, she embraced the perfect color: red. The actor arrived at the 2015 Television Critics Association Press Tour promoting the Hallmark Channel in January 2015, rocking this vibrant red midi-length confection with a deep-V neckline. She added chunky black heels for a surprising contrast on the red carpet. It's no surprise the network wanted her to represent them that year — she appeared in two Hallmark Christmas movies in 2015. 

Lacey Chabert didn't just star in a holiday movie; she appeared in films for the Hallmark Channel year-round. In 2017, she was out and about in New York City promoting her latest project, "Moonlight in Vermont," wearing this pale pink minidress with lace detailing. Tan heels complemented the feminine frock. The dress may have been a subtle nod to a major new role in her life — girl mom! Chabert announced that she gave birth to her first child, daughter Julia, six months earlier on Instagram.

Hallmark movie queen Lacey Chabert attended the Movieguide Awards Gala in February 2019 as a presenter in this show-stopping gown. The dramatic navy blue dress, which featured a sweetheart neckline and geometric metallic embellishments throughout, was a departure from Chabert's usually cheery color palette at the time. The actor appeared in a whopping five Hallmark movies that year, including three of the network's "Crossword Mysteries" series. 

You will never catch Lacey Chabert on "Dancing with the Stars," but the Hallmark Channel movie superstar will never miss Christmas Con! Lacey Chabert attended the event in Pasadena, California, in August 2022, but opted not to wear her signature red shade. Instead, she chose the polar opposite of Christmas colors — neon yellow, a much better option for the dog days of summer. Chabert's strapless gown featured a fan detail at the neckline and a pleated midi-length skirt. She added strappy metallic heels for the occasion. 

Lacey Chabert experimented with another shade of yellow just two years later, in 2024, this time at Hallmark Media's session during the Television Critics Association Press Tour in July. Once again, Chabert picked a summer-ready style: a butter-yellow gingham minidress that looked perfect for a beach picnic. The actor added gold sandals as she posed for the occasion. That same year, she debuted another project on the Hallmark network — a reality series called "Celebrations with Lacey Chabert".

After nearly four decades in the spotlight, it's easy to see which styles Lacey Chabert loves most — and polka dots are a definite staple. Just check out this blue number she wore in July 2026 while promoting her latest Hallmark series, "Paris is Always a Good Idea." The actor stepped out in this strapless navy blue design with while polka dots. It had an equally adorable white bow fixed at the neckline, and she completed the perfect look with white sandals and a matching navy bag.