The Stunning Style Transformation Of Elizabeth Hurley

While we cover plenty of fashionistas' evolutions, sometimes we come across a celebrity whose style shows that some people have an eye for fashion since day one, and British actor Elizabeth Hurley is one of them. Looking back at her fashion choices over the decades, it's impossible to find an outfit that isn't great. Now, that doesn't mean that Hurley's style hasn't transformed, but it does mean that the actor has always known what she likes and what suits her.

"What makes [Elizabeth Hurley's] style so compelling is that it has evolved with her while never losing its DNA of glamour and daring femininity, which she's become known for," stylist Oriona Robb told Hello! Magazine in 2025. Frankly, we couldn't agree more. Hurley's fashion choices continue to surprise us, but never once have we looked at one of her outfits and said, "Well, that doesn't seem like something she would pick." Instead, the "Runaways" actor has repeatedly proven that fashion knows no age, including her strutting through her 60s in see-through dresses and bold colors.

In the late '80s and early '90s, Elizabeth Hurley was in her 20s, and her career was just about to blossom. In 1988, she starred in the Spanish film "Remando Al Viento" alongside British star Hugh Grant, and soon after, their romance also bloomed.

At the time, Hurley caught the attention of many thanks to her stunning fashion choices. Cute minidresses and revealing necklines were sartorial staples for the up-and-coming actor, who was often photographed by paparazzi on the hunt for Grant's gorgeous girlfriend. Gold accessories and simple hair and makeup were her beauty go-tos, allowing her natural appearance to shine. While her fame wasn't comparable to her boyfriend's at the time, Hurley was soon going to step into a limelight of her own, both on the big screen and in fashion.

In 1994, Elizabeth Hurley made quite a fashion statement in the now-iconic Versace safety-pin dress, which instantly became a fan-favorite iconic celebrity fashion moment. Hurley wore the revealing dress for the premiere of boyfriend Hugh Grant's film "Four Weddings and a Funeral." 

"I was so unprepared for what happened that night," Hurley told Harper's Bazaar in 2019. "I urgently needed to find a dress to wear for Hugh's premiere, and in those days I had no idea about fashion," Hurley remembered, adding, "I took [the dress] home and did my own hair and makeup, fighting Hugh for the mirror, which wasn't even full-length, in our tiny one-bedroom flat. It was all very unglamorous compared to how things get done these days."

Unbeknownst to her, the dress would become a major moment in fashion history. In fact, if you look up "that dress" on Google today, Hurley's 1994 fashion choice is the first one to pop up (alongside the viral black-and-blue dress that put the internet into a frenzy in the 2010s). Even Donatella Versace gushed about the impact that the dress ended up having. "Gianni made that dress for a woman who is sure of herself and who isn't afraid to break the rules. Liz embodied all of this in an extraordinary way," she explained (via Harper's Bazaar). With this fashion moment, the "Sharpe" actor quickly became one of the most fashionable stars of the 1990s.

By the turn of the millennium, Elizabeth Hurley had gone from being known as Hugh Grant's girlfriend to becoming a famous actor. In fact, in 2000, Hurley and Grant parted ways, and films like "Bedazzled," which she starred in alongside Brendan Fraser, helped shape Hurley's perception as a sultry film star even more. Her fashion choices kept surprising everyone, too, as Hurley wasn't afraid of pushing boundaries and wearing pieces not many opted for at the time.

In 2018, Hurley reflected on one of her iconic outfits of this era, the pink leather pantsuit she wore to a 1999 film premiere. "It was made for me by Versace. I think it was to the premiere of a movie called 'Mickey Blue Eyes,' which I produced," she told Today. "And I went with my then-boyfriend, Hugh Grant. And I can see I'm wearing my Tiffany diamond cross (necklace), which I still have. I have to say, I actually still have (the pantsuit). ... It was a good time." If we had that outfit, we'd have it in a glass case on display!

By 2001, Elizabeth Hurley had entered the second half of her 30s, and her career had slowed down — but not for long. In 2002, Hurley gave birth to her son, Damian Charles Hurley, but motherhood didn't mean Hurley's style became boring. In fact, the early aughts gave us numerous quirky and cute Hurley fashion moments.

One particular staple in the star's style at the time was a fun going-out top. From halter-neck styles and see-through materials to bold patterns and colorful embellishments, Hurley was all about embracing this popular trend from the early 2000s. In fact, even two decades later, some of her fashion choices remind us just why halter tops are perfect for elevating your warm-weather vibe. (Hint: It helps that they pair well with any hairstyle, from long, pin-straight locks to curls.)

The mid-2000s brought a more sophisticated era for Elizabeth Hurley's fashion. The star embraced nude and muted colors, as well as floral patterns and sequined materials, and classic gowns with an emphasis on feminine silhouettes became her red-carpet go-to. Of course, she also expanded her career into fashion by launching her swimwear line, Elizabeth Hurley Beach, in 2005.

In 2006, Hurley opened up about her weight, revealing that staying in shape plays a big role in her career — and the fashion she wears. "I'd say ... that if I were really concerned with my weight, I'd be half a stone lighter and in really good shape. As it is, all my clothes are rather on the tight side," she shared (via The Guardian). "But I think I'm more concerned than your average person who goes to work in an office all day, because by the very nature of it ... you know ... I do have to squeeze myself into quite a few dresses, and bikinis. That's my job." Fashion pros needing to stay in shape is nothing new, but we appreciate that Hurley was always candid about it. 

In the late 2000s, Elizabeth Hurley's career and private life were thriving. She married businessman Arun Nayar in 2007, and her swimsuit line, Elizabeth Hurley Beach, was a success. "It's her company and she's very much involved, from designing to sourcing the fabrics," a source told The Telegraph in 2008. 

While attending an event supporting breast cancer research in October 2007, Hurley stunned in a beautiful dress with a large floral pattern. It was choices like this that kept the star's fashion relevant in an industry that's known for being cutthroat to women once they reach their 40s.

Overall, Hurley's fashion moments remained fun and revealing, and the actor managed to pull off quite a few bold patterns and very revealing cuts. While fashion and beauty played a major role in her career, the star admitted that she wasn't a fan of touched-up photos — a trend that became very popular among magazines at the time. "I've always been quite particular – I don't like my face to be retouched," she told Vogue in 2008. "Often, people will want to correct one's face and with me, they always want to change my nose and I'm like, 'No, no, no, I can't look like that. I don't mind if you want to make me a bit thinner and a bit younger, but you can't give me a different jaw or eyebrows."

By 2009, it was clear that Elizabeth Hurley has clear color preferences. In fact, the actor has worn so many pink dresses over the years that she embodies the nostalgic Barbiecore fashion trend quite well, even if she doesn't like one specific shade. "I'm not too keen on what I call 'Band-Aid pink,'" she revealed years later (via People). "I like them to be sleek in shape and vibrant in hue." Luckily, most shades of pink suit the actor wonderfully, which is also why we never get sick of her wearing the color.

Hurley has always had an effortless beauty to her, and she revealed in 2009 that she's not super fussy with her overall look. "I really don't have a beauty regime. The only thing I do – obviously – is pluck my eyebrows because I would look like Denis Healey if I didn't," she shared with the Daily Mail. "I don't have time. ... I like to do the school run as well and be with Damian when he is not at school. It would be impossible to find time to have a facial or a massage."

In the early 2010s, Elizabeth Hurley's personal life and career underwent significant changes. In 2011, she filed for divorce from her husband, ending their four-year marriage. Almost simultaneously, she got cast as Diana Payne on "Gossip Girl," a late-2000s phenomenon led by Blake Lively that made a major impact on the fashion landscape just like Hurley.

Despite the show's style dominance, Hurley's looks started to become predictable during this time. The actor went through a phase of knee-length, strapless bodycon dresses, and there's only so much variety those can offer. However, she was still fashionable — the silhouette suited her, making these years all about glamour and sophistication for the star.

At this stage of her career, it was undeniable that Elizabeth Hurley was just as influential as a fashionista as she was as an actor. The star's red carpet choices continued to be bold, especially when it came to color. Hurley seemed to adore rocking bright and eye-catching shades, and she was one of the few stars who strayed away from the at-the-time popular neutral fashion craze.

While royal blue and bright green were present in her wardrobe, pink still seemed to remain her favorite. "New York stylist Ann Caruso has been helping me find pink dresses for many years," she admitted to People in 2014. "This year we needed 19!" Apart from loving bright colors, Hurley seemed particularly fond of lace and mesh materials, which added a delicate texture to her looks.

Elizabeth Hurley's red carpet style is polished and fun, and her street looks are just fashionable. In fact, whether she's headed to the airport or just running errands, in the mid-2010s, Hurley wasn't leaving home without two fashion staples: skinny pants and heels. After all, Hurley had a fashion reputation to live up to, and at the time, there was no space for casual outfits and oversized clothes.

In 2015, Hurley was cast as the lead character, Queen Helena Henstridge, on the E! original series "The Royals," and she revealed that she has some influence on what she wears on screen. "Normally I like to wear bright colors on the show," she told E! News. "So as you can see I've got greens, purples, different shades of oranges, reds." The Hurley effect was definitely visible on her character, as Helena's fashion game was a masterclass in beautiful style.

In 2017 and 2018, Elizabeth Hurley wore plenty of stunning gowns to industry events, and one thing we quickly noticed was that she always made sure they were unique in some way, whether they had an unusual silhouette and neckline or they were made out of materials that most wouldn't necessarily put together. One thing that remained constant, even in this era, was that Hurley's dresses were always sexy and skin-tight, showing off the actor's stunning figure.

#JenniferLawrence arrived in a velvet #VersacePreFall18 gown with gold Medusa buttons and a high front split at the 'Red Sparrow' photocall in London. #VersaceCelebritieshttps://t.co/3RxPsl4NwR pic.twitter.com/cF0Cr0qqy4

— VERSACE (@Versace) February 20, 2018

In 2018, fellow actor Jennifer Lawrence, who also underwent a stunning style transformation, wore a dress very similar to Hurley's iconic 1994 Versace number, and Hurley only had words of praise for the "No Hard Feelings" actor. "I thought she looked amazing in it! Really hot and sexy," the star said (via Elle). "I mean Versace, they still make phenomenal dresses 20 years on from me wearing that one. So yes, I was a little thrilled to see her in that." We agree!

As the 2010s approached their end, Elizabeth Hurley switched things up a bit. Pantsuits and jumpsuits became red-carpet favorites for the actor, and while we adore Hurley in dresses, it's safe to say that pants give her that power look that many wish they could pull off.

While the choice to swap dresses for pants was undeniably intentional, signifying that Hurley was entering her boss-lady era, we can't help but notice that many of the tailoring elements that Hurley's fashion is known for are still there. Low necklines and cinched waists remain integral parts of her look, and Hurley wouldn't be true to her style if her pantsuit choices weren't in fun patterns and materials. The star may have decided to venture into different fashion styles, but remaining authentic always played a major role in her clothing choices.

In the early 2020s, Elizabeth Hurley's fashion choices became braver than ever, and while we thought that the star couldn't outdo some of the fashion moments she'd served in the previous three decades, we were utterly wrong. The materials Hurley reached for became more avant-garde, and the cuts and shapes proved that Hurley was staying current with the times. In fact, Hurley's beauty hasn't changed one bit over the years, landing her among the famous older women in the industry who don't seem to age.

While we know Hurley is incredibly knowledgeable on fashion — after all, three decades of red carpets have to make you an expert — we do attribute some of her recent style changes to her son, Damian. In fact, Hurley herself admitted that her son became somewhat of a fashion advisor to her. "Believe you me, he does not take fashion advice from me, ever," she told E! News in 2021. "I do from him sometimes. You know what, he's got a good eye and sometimes if I'm deciding between things, he'll say which one. He has a strong opinion, always."

While some slow down in their late 50s, Elizabeth Hurley was still as busy as one can be. Speaking to the Telegraph in 2024, she admitted that her career is still very important to her — and being in shape is part of it. "I don't go to the gym, but I'm very active... I don't really sit still very much. We have a rule in our house that no one's allowed to put the TV on until 6 pm, so nobody sits around until leading up to supper," Hurley said, adding, "I work for a cosmetic company, I work for fashion companies, I have my own fashion company, I'm in high definition on massive cinema screens. So it's my business to make more effort."

One thing was sure: Hurley was breaking many of the stereotypes surrounding women in their 50s and the fashion choices they're expected to make. The actor couldn't care less about anyone's opinions, and her fashion choices remained her own, which meant bold colors and deep necklines continued being significant aspects of her look. In fact, in 2024, she attended the premiere of her son's directorial debut, "Strictly Confidential," in a breathtaking emerald-green glitter dress with an asymmetrical neckline and thigh-high slit. She looked simply stunning, and we truly can't imagine many people pulling off a piece like this with such ease as Hurley.

Today, Elizabeth Hurley seems as happy as ever, and her fashion choices reflect that. In 2025, news broke that Hurley was dating country star and Miley Cyrus' father, Billy Ray Cyrus, and judging from their public appearances, the two seem to be head over heels in love. Speaking to Hello! Magazine, stylist Oriona Robb said that Hurley remains one of the most stylish celebrities in her 60s. "Elizabeth Hurley has never allowed age to dictate her fashion choices, and that's her greatest strength," she told the outlet. "She embraces glamour on her own terms, proving that youthful style is about attitude as much as it is about aesthetics. At 60, she is still setting the bar for ageless elegance."

Sharing a similar sentiment, Hurley's stylist, Mike Adler, told The Telegraph that plenty of the actor's fashion moments are her ideas. "Elizabeth has a perfect eye for fashion. Her signature style always remains glamorous with ultra clean lines," he explained. "She's always incredibly supportive of designers and their craft, and appreciative of being able to present with total confidence in the public eye." Looking back, it's clear that her evolution is a blend of her willingness to explore fashion and always remaining true to styles she personally likes. And if you want to look like her, you're in luck because Elizabeth Hurley Beach is still in business, selling trendy swimsuit options. 

Ultimately, we can't wait to see what looks she serves us in the future, but in the meantime, you can also check out Sofia Coppola's stunning style transformation.