Outdated Outfits Joanna Gaines Was Caught Wearing

If DIY shows are your religion, then chances are Joanna Gaines is one of your gods. The former HGTV star of "Fixer Upper" built an empire around her Magnolia brand that stems from her exquisite interior taste, as well as her penchant for good food, and the country lifestyle that appeals to so many. But that doesn't mean that she doesn't occasionally trip up, including with her fashion choices. Despite fans frequently wanting to know what she is wearing and encouraging her to start a fashion line of her own, Joanna Gaines has had a few outfits that missed the mark, including some outdated ones that weren't on-trend for their era.

Overall, she gets ticks of approval on her approachable style prowess. There are even websites dedicated to her fashion and how to copy it. Her beloved overalls and wooden clogs may not scream fashion runway looks, but they coincide perfectly with her bohemian country vibe. In fact, we'd say her fashion fails only tend to occur when she veers away from her signature style and reaches for pieces that are no longer en vogue.

In 2021, when Joanna Gaines appeared at a radio taping in New York City wearing a black top and dark-wash jeans, there was one denim wash that reigned supreme: light washes. Though black denim is definitely back in 2026, it felt dated at the start of the decade. Fans of Gaines know that she loves her denim and also wears light washes. She just missed the mark in '21. Chip Gaines, however, was looking pretty on-trend with his jeans.

In July 2021, Joanna Gaines headed to New York City to celebrate the launch of the Magnolia Network. She looked elegant and chic in a little black dress and simple accessories. Unfortunately, however, those extras made her look a bit outdated. In 2021, the footwear chatter was all about lug-soled loafers, flat sling-backs, sporty sandals, and clogs. Chunky, heavy soles were the on-trend look, not delicate pointy-toe, ankle-strap heels like Gaines' simple pair.

In 2023, '90s fashion trends were making a comeback. So in that regard, Joanna Gaines was on-trend when she posted a photo of herself wearing a white tank, jorts, and a plaid button-up wrapped around her waist. The outfit sampled a bit of minimalism as well as grunge from the era, but it all felt haphazard, rather than intentional, which is why it looked outdated. Incorporating a modern element or two with the throwbacks would've brought it into this century.

The original Blake Lively-led "Gossip Girl" ran from 2007 to 2012. So why was Joanna Gaines trying to look like she was straight off the show for a media appearance in 2015 with her miniskirt and plaid jacket that could have been plucked from Blair Waldorf's wardrobe? The best outfits from '15 were ones that infused elements of athleisure and mixed aesthetics, rather than going all in one direction, as Gaines did with her head-to-toe preppy look.

Joanna Gaines has had some great fashion moments through the years, but this outfit from the fall of 2018 wasn't one of them. Photographed on the streets of Manhattan, the Magnolia maven was caught wearing a poncho over cropped trousers and flats. While Y2K-beloved ponchos had a brief moment of comeback in 2018, the plaid straight-leg pants weren't on-trend (a wide-leg cut was), nor were the plain almond-toe loafers she selected.

Here's what was trending in footwear in 2017: pool-slide sandals, which eventually became an outdated sandal trend to walk away from, sock boots, embellished styles, red footwear, and combat boots. Here's what wasn't trending: plain, minimalist styles like Joanna Gaines' slingback booties worn to a "Fox & Friends" appearance. They're beautiful shoes, but in '17, they already felt a few years old.