Bindi Irwin's Complete Transformation

In 2002, the Crocodile Hunter himself, Steve Irwin, told the world just what he thought of his daughter Bindi. "Fatherhood has changed my life," he told 60 Minutes Australia. "I never thought there was something as beautiful in this world as my daughter. She is something else." As Bindi grew up against the magical backdrop of Australia Zoo in Queensland, Australia, the world quickly saw what he was talking about. With cameras present literally from the moment she was born, Bindi was destined for stardom, and she took to the cameras like a pro from the get-go. What followed were forays into hosting TV shows like her dad, acting, singing, and, of course, conservation.  

Anyone familiar with Australia Zoo knows that fashion doesn't really top its list of priorities, but still, Bindi has found her own way of expressing her personality through select styling choices (yes, khaki is a strategy). While she might prefer comfy jeans and a loose shirt over the latest trends, she seems to enjoy the odd red-carpet moment and, like sustainable fashion queen Kate Middleton, isn't opposed to repeating outfits that work for her. 

Over the years, she's followed her own path, embarking on show-business pursuits and starting her own family, but the call of the animal kingdom has never been far away. She knew exactly what her future held even at the tender age of 5, telling ABC Australian Story in 2003, "This is my zoo and I'm gonna run it some day." This manifestation has followed her through her entire transformation.

Few children could imagine a childhood as enchanting as Bindi Irwin's. As the daughter of conservationists Steve and Terri Irwin, Bindi's childhood was filled with giraffes, she had real koalas to cuddle rather than stuffed toys, and snakes sometimes joined in on parent-child bonding time. With her famous family also came show business. Her first TV credit came when she was just 1 year old in 1999, in her father's documentary show "The Crocodile Hunter." Growing up, she appeared in "The Crocodile Hunter Diaries" between 2000 and 2007, and in 2005, the time finally came for her to take a starring role in her own series, "Bindi: The Jungle Girl."

Unlike other celebrity children who borrow iconic vintage outfits from their famous parents, Bindi wasn't dressed to the nines in designer garb. Rather, she dressed appropriately for her life, either at Australia Zoo or on the road with her parents. From the time she was a toddler, she was seen in zookeeper-esque ensembles, complete with khaki. Along with short-sleeved shirts, she wore matching olive-green sets and practical boots that were perfect for the outdoors, and finished off with sun protection in the form of sporty caps. Her early childhood also marked her most iconic hairstyle to date: noughties bangs.

Bindi Irwin's idyllic childhood came to a crashing halt in 2006 when Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray while filming an underwater documentary near the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland, Australia. At just the age of 8 and with the sudden loss of her father heavy on her heart, Bindi bravely faced 300 million viewers at his public memorial to read his eulogy. "My daddy was my hero," she told the crowd (via YouTube). "Daddy made this place his whole life. Now it's our turn to help Daddy." Steve's death was life-changing for the family, but it didn't derail their conservation efforts or Bindi's budding career in show business. The following year, she nabbed two Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and was also named the "tourism ambassador" of Australia. On the fashion front, she released her own clothing range called Bindi Wear.

Over the next few years, Bindi continued to wear her go-to khaki outfits and sport her signature bangs while being homeschooled. By the time she reached her teenage years, she began experimenting with less zoo-friendly ensembles, wearing a patterned minidress in one 2014 Instagram post that showed her cozying up to a horse. Around that time, she also ditched the full bangs in favor of a side part, which she'd stick to for the foreseeable future. 

While she was still a teenager, Bindi Irwin took a significant detour from her life at Australia Zoo and headed straight for Hollywood. Her show-business journey took her to "Dancing with the Stars" in 2015 when she was only 17 — a far cry from her normal life in rural Australia. "I'm used to khaki and boots and I think it will always be a part of my life," she said at the time (via ABC News). "We always say khaki is not just a color it's an attitude. It's a part of who we here. You can't climb a tree or wrangle a snake in a dress very easily so this is completely different." 

Paired with "Nashville" actor Derek Hough, Irwin proved she's more than just a croc wrestler and won the season, all while out of her comfort zone in ultra-glamorous outfits. Sparkly dresses embellished with crystals and feathers looked stunning on Irwin, especially when finished with sophisticated updos and statement costume jewelry. At this time, it became obvious that Bindi was a former child star who grew up to be gorgeous.

Though she was based in America while filming the show, Irwin was dating Chandler Powell, who would visit her on set. "He'd help me bandage my feet and find my favourite snacks. I think I've always known I'd marry him one day," she wrote on Instagram in 2019 alongside a throwback photo of the pair from 2015, in which Irwin's rocking a colorful halter dress with a matching headband.

In 2016, Bindi Irwin graduated from TAFE Queensland East Coast with a Certificate III in business and tourism, two skills that would surely come in handy as she took over Australia Zoo. But she wasn't quite finished with the Hollywood glamour just yet. In October that year, she announced that she'd been named one of Maxim's Hot 100, telling her Instagram followers, "My goal in life is to empower each and every person around the world to embrace themselves inside and out. Beauty is not just found on the outside, it's the kindness you share with others and the positivity you embrace every day. If your core values revolve around love and light, you are a beautiful person."

She brushed elbows with fellow Australian actor Olivia Newton-John in 2017 while participating in the "Grease" star's Wellness Walk, appeared on "Family Feud," and co-hosted the "All Access" feature that took place behind the scenes of "Dancing with the Stars."For her various red-carpet appearances, she stuck to classic LBDs but notably went for a pleated '50s-style midi for the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner. She also showed a penchant for florals, going for a chic white-and-black floral dress to the Olivia Newton-John Gala in Melbourne, Australia. Otherwise, she was spotted in comfy ripped jeans and a staple that would become her second-favorite after khaki: plaid.

The Irwin family reached new heights in 2018 when Steve Irwin was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Bindi, along with mom Terri and brother Robert, attended the ceremony, and while she stuck to Steve's beloved khaki, she did appear to elevate her beauty game. Her base was natural and matte, but she opted for rosy eyeshadow and thick eyeliner, which would also become her go-to combo. She rocked her brond hair in its usual side part, but this time, she had a braid weaved into one side. We also saw her crimp her hair for the first time this year.

Perhaps the most exciting part of Bindi's 2018 is that she got her own Barbie. "I am truly honoured to be part of the Barbie family, celebrating International Women's Day," she said on Instagram. "This day encourages us all to reflect on the impact women have had on shaping the world we live in today." Of course, the Bindi Barbie came with a khaki zookeeper's outfit and a koala to boot. If that weren't enough, she was also awarded the Guinness World Record for the most followed TV naturalist/conservationist. More floral dresses made up her evening-wear rotations, but otherwise, she continued to lean on her old staples: plaid and skinny jeans.

Bindi Irwin's personal life took an exciting turn in 2019 when she got engaged to longtime partner Chandler Powell. She was also named on TIME's "100 Next List" and began filming the second season of her TV show, "Crikey! It's the Irwins." On the conservation front, she launched action to stir legislation that would protect wild crocodile eggs from being harvested. 

We saw her carry on her preferred makeup look from 2018: pink-toned eyeshadow with heavier black liner, but that wasn't the only thing that she brought back. To the Critics' Choice Real TV Awards in Beverly Hills that June, Bindi donned the white dress with black floral graphics that she'd previously worn to the Olivia Newton-John Gala two years before. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! This time, though, she wore her hair in a refreshing middle part (and also posed with a reptile friend!). It wasn't always dresses for formal events, though; for the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in Brisbane, Australia, she went for a chic black blazer, ultra-tight pants, and black boots, topped off with conservative pearls. In true fashionista style, she finished the year with an ugly Christmas sweater photo on Instagram.

If there's one occasion where Bindi Irwin was definitely going to ditch her comfy clothes, it was her 2020 wedding to Chandler Powell. The lovebirds tied the knot at Australia Zoo, surrounded by the many animals Steve Irwin dedicated his life to. Only mom Terri Irwin, brother Robert Irwin, and family friend Wes Mannion attended the ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We thought about postponing, because you want to share this day with everyone, but when it boiled down to it, we both just said, 'Look, we desperately want to get married, and no matter what the future holds, at least we'll be husband and wife," Bindi said (via People). "We can take on the world together." She ditched her casual clothes in a lace-sleeved traditional wedding gown, but she didn't completely abandon everything about her signature style: "Most brides have something blue; I had my khaki," she said of the ribbon tied around her bouquet. 

After the wedding, it was back to her usual relaxed wardrobe. She posted an Instagram snap with her mom where she was decked out in green plaid and jeans. Her Australia Zoo shirt seemed to be the standout piece of the year, appearing in another Instagram post with the zookeeper's shirt accessorized with her brother's "lucky hat."

One of the most exciting years yet for been Bindi Irwin's might have been 2021. Her series "Crikey! It's the Irwins" was nominated for two Critics' Choice Awards, and she was also awarded the Marie Watson-Blake Award for outstanding contribution by an individual in 2021. But those accolades paled in comparison to the March arrival of her and Chandler Powell's daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin. 

Leading up to the birth, Bindi's maternity wardrobe reflected her everyday wear, featuring old-faithful pieces like plaid shirts. Her hair was entering Rapunzel territory, too, flowing down her chest in a photo posted to Instagram when Grace was around 2 months old. "Crikey! It's a Baby" aired on Discovery+ that year, giving Bindi the chance to open up about the relationship that would have been between her daughter and her late father. "It's hard knowing that she'll never get to actually meet him, and it's devastating because I'll never get to watch that connection, but I cannot wait to be able to tell beautiful Grace all of these stories about dad, to be able to share with her what an amazing father he was," she said (via Scary Mommy).

Becoming a mom irrevocably changed Bindi's life, and it seemed to influence her wardrobe, too. To accept her Marie Watson-Blake Award that November, she did a 180 on her usual style and went for a colorful bell-sleeve shirt paired with skinny medium-wash denim. Just weeks earlier for Halloween, she rocked the same shirt as part of her Woodstock-inspired Halloween costume, bringing it to life with a suede fringe vest and a floral crown.

Bindi Irwin's beauty game has remained pretty steady throughout most of her journey, but we saw a major change in 2022 when the Animal Planet star went for the big chop. She showed off her new bob on Instagram in July, looking fresh in a light-toned plaid shirt as she posed outdoors. Fans took to the comments to gush about her new 'do, with one writing, "Like your new haircut!" Another noted, "I love your new haircut, it really higlights [sic] your smile and cheeks."

The chic hair brought a new dynamic to her usual comfy-coded outfits, but it also suited her more formal 'fits. For the Steve Irwin Gala that year, Bindi went for slick all-black look in a gown that featured lace detail around the V neckline, waist, and sleeves. It seems that it was high time for a bob, as just before she cut her hair, Bindi appeared in an Instagram post with a statement black headband holding her long locks back at the beach. Practicality is just one of the many reasons people consider short hair, especially as a new mom.

Living your life in front of the cameras often means opening up about difficult subjects, and Bindi Irwin experienced that once more as she recovered from endometriosis surgery in March 2023. "Going in for surgery was scary but I knew I couldn't live like I was," she wrote on Instagram. "Every part of my life was getting torn apart because of the pain ... Please be gentle & pause before asking me (or any woman) when we'll be having more children. ... [Grace] feels like our family's miracle. I'm aware of millions of women struggling with a similar story." Just two months later, she attended the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in Beverly Hills, wearing a dark-toned floral maxi skirt with a high-neck comfy cardigan that displayed her subtly evolving style into something slightly more mature and modest. 

The following year, she publicly declared her love for khaki, writing in an Instagram post that showed her in her zookeeper's 'fit, "My wardrobe consists of 99% khaki and 1% plaid shirts." In May, she attended another Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas, this time with notably shorter hair. She served khaki, but not as we know it, this time opting for a sophisticated V-neck dress with volumized sleeves and a cinched waist. Away from the galas and red carpets, she stuck to casual shirts paired with skinny denim. Some say that it's finally time to ditch skinny jeans, but Bindi doesn't look like she's going to crumble under the pressure anytime soon. In fact, she leaves trendiness to another family member. "I will say, though, Robert is the fashionable Irwin," she told Us Weekly of her brother that year. "Robert has taken khaki and elevated it ... because the Irwin family has never been synonymous with fashion."

In 2025, Bindi Irwin made the shocking decision to relocate to Los Angeles temporarily. "I wanted to pop on here and share a little life update with you: We have officially moved to Los Angeles," she said in a September Instagram post. "Not forever, just for the next three months." In her caption, Bindi explained that the family moved to support Robert Irwin as he follows in her footsteps and competes on "Dancing with the Stars," a decade after her own winning stint on the show. There's no telling whether the move will influence Bindi's style the way it did last time, but for the time being, she seems happy in her usual comfortable 'fits. In the video, she confirmed that Australia Zoo will always be home, which is fitting considering the many khaki looks she sported in the first half of 2025. One post showed her in head-to-toe Australia Zoo attire as she posed with her daughter and a red panda. 

On TikTok in June, Kylie Kelce's podcast, "Not Gonna Lie," shared a video in which Bindi confirmed her love for khaki (in case anyone was confused). "I like wearing khaki, because we always say khaki is not just a color — it's an attitude," she explained. "I am not fond of having to put on makeup and a dress and shave my legs." Even if she was spotted in a handful of summery dresses in one June Instagram carousel, we're taking Bindi's word on this one, and that fuss-free approach to fashion is just one of the things we love about her. If you'd like to take a page out of Bindi Irwin's book, here's how to style your favorite comfy oversized T-shirt.