Hallmark Icon Lacey Chabert's Stunning Style Transformation

Whether you know her from the '90s series "Party of Five," the iconic 2000s teen flick "Mean Girls," or her numerous Hallmark movies, there is no denying that Lacey Chabert's decade-long career created plenty of quote-worthy memories for multiple generations. Chabert was 12 years old when "Party of Five" premiered in 1994, which means she spent a good part of her childhood in the spotlight.

Lacey Chabert's complete transformation happened right in front of our eyes, and as the star grew, her style changed, and each decade brought its own iconic fashion moments. Over the years, she has attended a plethora of red carpets and industry events, resulting in some Lacey Chabert outfits that left us scratching our heads. However, the actor has also had a noticeable style evolution, as she figured out her preferences over the decades. From '90s soft grunge to Y2K colors, Chabert explored all that fashion has to offer, so let's take a trip down memory lane to see just how her style changed. 

Thanks to the Fox family drama "Party of Five," Lacey Chabert quickly became a television star. Prior to that, the young actor appeared in 10 episodes of the popular soap opera "All My Children," but the Fox hit is generally considered her big break. In the '90s, teen Chabert was all about following the decade's moody and grunge looks that infiltrated mainstream fashion.

This meant that for her red-carpet appearances, Chabert gravitated toward darker-colored clothing. The actor often accessorized with classic '90s pieces like chokers and headbands, giving her style that well-known '90s touch. Chabert's fashion choices were simple yet cool, perfectly matching the decade's fashion aesthetic. When she showed up to the Costume Designers Guild Awards in February 1999, 16-year-old Chabert rocked a sparkly black gown, a metallic choker, and classic brown lipstick, which is a '90s comeback trend that first returned to the fore in 2023.

In 2004, the cult teen hit "Mean Girls" premiered, and with it, Lacey Chabert became a part of a new generation of actors in their 20s who have the potential of becoming it-girls in Hollywood. At the time, Chabert's style was all about hot-pink minidresses, fun Y2K hairstyles, and using fashion to be colorful and eye-catching. By the end of the decade, the actor had swapped the minidresses for gowns, but she remained fond of bold colors. Chabert's 2000s fashion remains a great example of what the trends dictated at the time, and many of her looks can still serve as inspiration for Y2K-inspired 2020s fashion.

In 2009, Chabert revealed to Seventeen what her go-to shopping spots were. "I love to shop at J. Crew. That's one of my all-time favorites," the "Not Another Teen Movie" star said. "I also like to shop at Tory Burch and Bloomingdale's. Even H&M sometimes; they have a few good gems. I also shop online a lot. I like to buy stuff on eBay." When asked what her biggest splurge was, Chabert revealed "my favorite pair of Christian Louboutin [shoes], which were like $700 or something." 

Throughout the 2010s, Lacey Chabert continued showcasing her love for bright colors. The actor also prioritized knee-length dresses, often choosing them for industry events. In the first half of the 2010s, Chabert continued rocking a hair pouf, a 2000s trend that made an epic comeback in the early 2020s. In 2014, the actor revealed to Allure that she would have loved to change her hair, but she couldn't find the confidence. "I really want to change my hair color; I talk about it all the time," she admitted, adding, "I don't think I could pull off blonde, but I think red would be a good look. I can picture it in my head, but I always chicken out." Luckily, changing her clothes is much easier, but while Chabert's fashion remained bold in color, the actor's looks were becoming somewhat predictable, as she usually stuck to similar silhouettes and accessories. 

In the mid-2010s, Chabert starred in a couple of Hallmark films like "A Christmas Melody" and "All of My Heart", and as the years went by, she continued working with the channel. However, many still know her best thanks to her portrayal of Gretchen Wieners, and the actor has told Allure that she loves it when people recognize her from her "Mean Girls" role. "Out of everything I've done in my entire career, 'Mean Girls' is the thing people talk about the most," she revealed. "When I filmed it, I was turning 21, and I was full of insecurities and relating to that desire to fit in, so it was a fun thing to be involved in. And there's no bigger compliment than when people are quoting your lines 10 years later."

In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Lacey Chabert was in her late 30s and ready to explore some new fashion trends. On various occasions, the actor replaced a classic A-line or bodycon dress with pieces that had a more unique silhouette. While the "Hot Frosty" alum remained loyal to her colorful style, she did play around with fun shapes, which added some edginess to her fashion. 

Together with the television network HSN, the actor launched her very own loungewear fashion line, called The Lacey Chabert Collection, in 2022. "I have always wanted to have my own clothing line, and especially with HSN, it just seemed like the most perfect fit," she shared in an Instagram video. "I want women to feel comfortable but cute and effortless. I think there's something for everyone in it." Speaking to E! News, the actor revealed that creating the line was very exciting. "It's really fun to be super involved in the design process," she said. "And I also learned how similar this is to bringing a film to life."

In the mid 2020s, Lacey Chabert seems more confident than ever. The actor has entered her early 40s, and she is undeniably ready to see where her fashion goes. The star now tends to gravitate toward black red-carpet dresses, but every now and then she still surprises us with a bold and bright color.

In 2024, the actor shared a video of her transformation in the spotlight on Instagram, acknowledging in the caption just how much she has changed over the decades. "Believe it or not, I've been in this business since I was 7 years old," she shared, adding, "While I'd change some of the fashion choices, I wouldn't change the wonderful experiences I've had! So thankful." Chabert's current style is sophisticated, flirty, and fun, but given that she has gone through a variety of style changes over the years, we're sure the rest of her 40s will bring new fashion looks for us to enjoy!