Mayim Bialik Has Had Some Gorgeous Red Carpet Moments

While there might be a stereotypical TV star wardrobe, Mayim Bialik has never conformed to industry standards as far as clothes go. As an observing Modern Orthodox Jew, the "Big Bang Theory" star and neuroscientist frequently chooses outfits that align with her values surrounding modesty, which can definitely leave her with a different aesthetic from her fellow actors in Tinseltown. "I don't wear strapless dresses, I prefer to cover my arms, and I don't wear minidresses," she clarified on her website Grok Nation in 2016. "The idea is to stay covered and dress modestly, not to be unattractive."

While this means that Bialik has sat out several of the trends that have dominated during her time in Hollywood, from naked dresses to hot pants, it doesn't mean her red carpet looks are fun- and individuality-free. It also doesn't mean that she can't be fashion-forward; she's still often stylish while staying true to her beliefs. "I don't believe you should have to show a lot of skin to be accepted as 'red carpet ready,'" she went on in her website post, adding that her own body image issues are part of the reason why she opts for conservative garments. "I don't look like most actresses and I know it. I choose clothing and fashion that I feel reflects my sense of style and my sense of comfort and discomfort in my own skin."

Rather than relying on short hemlines or offering hints of cleavage, Bialik chooses to rock the red carpet with bright colors, off-the-shoulder necklines, and small intentional details that add personality to her looks. She made it clear in her post that she doesn't judge women who choose not to dress like her, but for those who do prefer a conservative aesthetic, her best red carpet looks serve as great inspo!

Mayim Bialik often leans towards muted shades in her everyday wardrobe, so it's always a treat to see her reach for color on the red carpet. At the Primetime Emmys in September 2012, the "Big Bang Theory" star went for a garnet-toned gown with sheer sleeves. The dress was fitted through the torso before cascading from the waist and culminating in a short flowing train. Painting her nails red to complete the 'fit, Bialik looked gorgeous, even with an arm brace hidden beneath her sleeve cuff. 

As much as we love seeing Mayim Bialik in color, there's something about a simple black dress that makes her look so chic. We saw this at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in January 2012, when she graced the carpet in a silky noir number that was actually quite daring by her modest standards. It featured a smart V-neck with excess material around the neckline which almost created a cowl neck effect, along with a thigh slit that gave fans a glimpse of her platform heels.

Marking a key moment in Mayim Bialik's complete transformation, she attended the Writers Guild Awards in February 2011, opting for a totally different aesthetic than we usually see on her. Her cream chiffon gown had a vintage-style off-the-shoulder neckline that came together at the center of the bust with beading, before flowing down to the ground. She went for natural-looking curls and kept her makeup simple, adding a pop of color with an icy-blue bracelet. Overall, it was giving Greek goddess.

The striking cobalt ballgown Mayim Bialik wore to the Primetime Emmys in August 2014 was a major departure from her usual quiet aesthetic. After associating Bialik with Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, the frumpy neurobiologist she played on "The Big Bang Theory," we had to do a double take when she showed up to the red carpet in this Oliver Tolentino number. The lace detail, the statement necklace, and the regal hairstyle all made this look fit for a queen. 

We've seen Mayim Bialik go all out with her fashion, and we've seen her keep it tame. This midi dress she wore to the Casting Society of America's Annual Artios Awards in January 2019 had the best of both worlds. It may have been a snooze-fest without the arm detail, but the galactic-coded scrunch sleeves made it fun without turning it into too much. This is just a hint of the maximalist detail that people found attractive in the '80s. The actor seems to gravitate towards off-the-shoulder necklines, and it's easy to see why with looks like this.

When you're committed to dressing modestly, you can still have fun on the red carpet as long as you get creative. At the Critics' Choice Awards in January 2018, Mayim Bialik once again donned a subdued black dress, but she brought it to life with a few simple yet noticeable details. The frock appeared to have a double slit around each of her calves, showing off her strappy sandals. But it was the shoulder cutouts fit with spaghetti straps that gave this look a little needed edge.

With her brunette hair and cool-toned skin, forest green is a match made in color heaven for Mayim Bialik. She went with this bold hue at the 2013 Primetime Emmys, posing on the red carpet in another creation from Oliver Tolentino. The sweetheart neckline stood out beneath a sheer overlay that featured 3D embellishments at the shoulders, elbows, and waist, before the skirt fell into a train. Going for a metallic green micro clutch and a pale-red lip, she did the right thing by opting for simple side-parted curls, letting the stellar dress speak for itself.

Why should Mayim Bialik have to choose just one color for the red carpet when she looks like a vision in all of them? That must have been the logic at the SAG Awards in January 2017, when she strutted in wearing this geometric number from Miri Couture. Stripes were the unofficial theme of the night, so Bialik understood the assignment on that front. The color-blocking drew the eye, so once again, Bialik displayed her understanding of balance by accessorizing with a minimal pale-blue clutch, simple brushed-out curls, and a dainty Star of David necklace. 

Even without showing skin or highlighting curves, it's possible to make a splash with a dress. Mayim Bialik stayed true to her values at the Annual Marie Claire Young Women's Honors in November 2016, choosing a three-quarter-sleeve gown with a modest neckline and loose fit. But she kept it playful and alluring with a metallic gold pattern, pairing the look with a box clutch and pointy-toed pumps. Armor-inspired metallics were all over the runways in 2023, so it looks like the actor was ahead of the trends with this one.

The SAG Awards have set the scene for some of Mayim Bialik's best looks over the years, so we're hardly surprised that she went for this head-turning cornflower look in 2013. Writing for Kveller, Bialik admitted that her stylist chose this dress, and she initially had some hesitations: "I was skeptical: too bright, too blue, too tight." However, she stunned from head to toe in the end.

For those who don't resonate with Bialik's modest wardrobe, her "Big Bang Theory" co-star Kaley Cuoco has also had a stunning style transformation, and it serves much more contemporary style inspo.