Lacey Chabert Outfits That Left Us Scratching Our Heads

From her early days on television to appearing in blockbuster films, Lacey Chabert has had a big transformation. The memorable "Mean Girls" star has grown into a Hallmark Channel mainstay who audiences have fallen in love with time and time again. However, with a successful acting career that's spanned decades, there are bound to be a few misses with her fashion. Over the years, Chabert has tried to keep it cute and classy by wearing wardrobe staples like midi dresses, but she's fallen victim to Y2K trends that feel super dated now more than once or twice. For instance, we're already over the low-rise jeans resurgence, but the outdated trend has long been seen on the "Party of Five" star.

Ultimately, it took some time for Chabert to establish her individual sense of style — one that didn't feel too childish or overly mature. She's since settled into a fun and feminine fashion sense that often consists of pretty monochrome dresses that are professional but also practical for the working mom. Chabert's natural beauty also always shines through, even during the times when she fell victim to questionable wardrobe choices. 

Lacey Chabert was just a kid herself the first time she went to the Kids' Choice Awards in 1996. The fun-filled awards show consists of screaming fans and lots of slime, but a young Chabert chose an outfit that looked like '80s business attire. She wore a white button-down under a black minidress with knee-high socks and silver shoes that could've been plucked straight out of a Broadway musical. This would've been the perfect opportunity for 14-year-old Chabert to experiment with bold colors rather than something that leaned lifeless.

On a breezy 2002 day in Malibu, Lacey Chabert had some fun in the sun at a beach party while wearing a Y2K era split-bottom top that appeared to mimic suede. Just below the bodice, the shirt severs in two to show off Chabert's midriff complete with a dangling brown charm that matches the subtle bohemian detail on the shirt fabric. Her long V-neck top was split at the sleeves as well and was layered over jeans, an unmistakable early-2000s trend. Heading to the beach in jeans is a huge no-go if you ask us — no one wants to mix sand and stiff fabrics! A flowy bottom would've worked much better here.

The same year she played a teenager in "Mean Girls," Lacey Chabert tried to look more grown up when attending the 13th Annual Diversity Awards in 2004. Her noir gown hugged her hourglass shape in a stretchy fabric that looked like a '90s-style popcorn shirt at times. The halter top connected to a plunging V-neck and left her back bare. The bottom of the dress included a sheer hem detailed with floral embroidery. Complete with heels that laced up along the legs, this outfit felt a little risqué for an awards show that celebrates diversity.

Between the low-rise jeans and excessive layers, this outfit is an early-2000s nightmare. Lacey Chabert combined a camisole top with a shawl and a chunky belt during a pre-Golden Globes celebration in January 2004, and while the dress code was relaxed, there was way too much happening with this ensemble. Was Chabert trying to replicate the color of an award statue with her neutral color palette? Perhaps, but the casual get-up looks like it was put together by a teenager who hadn't quite figured out how to balance clothing. 

One irrefutable fact when it comes to fashion is that no one takes your outfit seriously when it includes a feather boa. If only Lacey Chabert realized this when she walked in a fashion show at the 2005 Race to Erase MS Gala, which raises funds for multiple sclerosis research. Legendary designer Tommy Hilfiger served as co-chair, but his style expertise was seemingly nowhere to be found. Other celebrities at the show wore styles that ranged from casual jeans to glamorous dresses, while Chabert's wardrobe looked too much like a costume of a tired Las Vegas showgirl. 

If Lacey Chabert was trying to break free from her teenage roles, this gown worn at a benefit concert certainly made her look more mature. She styled her little black dress with minimal accessories so her incredible shape would be the focal point. The tight dress really accentuated her hourglass figure, but her exposed chest was too cheeky for the event in our opinion. Her long, wavy brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, which only brought more attention to the gown's low neckline. 

In 2006, singer Nick Lachey went in on a (now defunct) social media platform called YFly. A launch party was held at a swanky nightclub, but Lacey Chabert seemingly didn't get the memo to wear something classy and high-end. She opted for a bulky red silk dress that looked more like a naughty negligee. The garment appeared to be a few sizes too big on the actor, and pairing it with boring black heels made it feel even more awkward.

When wearing exposed undergarments, the setting has to be just right. Lacey Chabert could've used some guidance when she wore a sheer dress bodice to ... an awards show for dogs? That's right: On the red carpet for American Humane's Hero Dog Awards in 2007, Chabert wore a black gown where her bralette was seen through sheer fabric. The silhouette is charming and flattering, and the textured detail on the skirt is chic. But the peekaboo detail and uneven lining of the neck feel like obvious fashion-don'ts in this instance.