Joanna Gaines' Style Evolution, In Photos

Joanna Gaines has undergone a complete transformation since she started out on "Fixer Upper" on HGTV in 2013. The home renovation empire she's built with husband Chip Gaines has seen impressive growth, including their own Magnolia Network, a Magnolia Market (featuring home decor boutiques and eateries), a Magnolia Realty company, and more. However, the way Joanna's personal style has changed is just as impressive. From the outdated outfits Joanna Gaines has been caught wearing to the full-on glamorous looks she's showcased, her fashion evolution has been interesting to watch.

In a 2019 video on her "Magnolia by Chip & Joanna" YouTube channel, Joanna opened up about wearing a vibrant red dress for the Summer 2019 issue of Magnolia Journal. "Typically, I like wearing black, white, denim, and every now and then, khaki," she said in the clip. "Red is a stretch. So, I thought for the 'Freedom' issue, for the summer issue, I will go bold, I will wear red." Since then, she has continued to be a little more adventurous with her style, while also remaining comfortable in her clothes.

When asked about her favorite things for a 2026 New York Magazine article, Joanna said Birkenstock sandals were one of the "tried-and-true favorites" in her wardrobe. "I'm big on comfort and consistency, and these leather slip-ons check both boxes," she told the outlet. Another favorite is her Vuori Sedona joggers, and she said she's always ready to "swap my jeans for these" at the end of the day. Though fans are sometimes begging HGTV stars like Joanna Gaines to up their style game, we love a comfort queen. Joanna knows what she likes, but can still step outside her fashion comfort zone for special occasions.

At an event for AOL Build Presents: "Fixer Upper" on December 8, 2015, Joanna Gaines posed for a picture with her husband, Chip Gaines. In this photo, she is embracing a schoolgirl style, with a pleated gray skirt over black tights, and a black-and-gray plaid sweater layered over a gray sweater. The look was clunky and out of fashion with all the layers, nothing like the famous schoolgirl outfit Britney Spears wore in her "...Baby One More Time" video.

Thankfully, Joanna Gaines moved on from her thick layers. In this 2018 Instagram photo, Joanna wore a simple yet stylish outfit standing next to Reese Witherspoon and Jenna Bush Hager. The HGTV star paired a black dress with puff sleeves with a pair of tan booties and accessorized with big, bangle bracelets. Although there was nothing technically wrong with this look (a little black dress is always in style!), it would have been more exciting had she worn something bolder — or at least gone with brighter statement accessories to draw the eye.

Joanna Gaines looked classically stunning in a navy-blue strapless gown in an Instagram photo snapped at the TIME 100 Gala on April 23, 2019. Her form-fitting dress featured a sweetheart neckline and a ruffle detail on one side. The gown, full-length and floor-skimming, totally covered her shoes, and she paired it with a simple brown clutch. The outfit was gorgeous on her, although it would have no doubt been even better with a sparkly necklace or another eye-catching detail.

Like her 2019 Magnolia Journal cover look, Joanna Gaines donned red once again at the 2022 Creative Arts Emmys on September 3, 2022. In a photo with her husband, Chip Gaines, the couple looked completely glamorous all dressed up. Chip wore a black suit with a matching tie and vest over his white, button-down shirt, and his long blond hair slicked back. However, Joanna stole the show in her fitted, floor-length red gown with a formal knot over her shoulder. She looked very elegant with her long brown hair pulled over one shoulder to show off her striking dress.

Joanna Gaines was stunning at a White House state dinner for South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on April 26, 2023, hosted by former President Joe Biden. As seen in this photo from Instagram, Joanna wore an all-black outfit for the formal event, where she looked sleek and gorgeous in a strapless black gown with a matching clutch and her long hair pulled into a chic side ponytail. Her husband also wore a sharp black suit. "Coming off the heels of our incredible trip to Seoul, this evening was another reminder of just how proud I am to be a Korean American," Joanna wrote in the caption.

When Joanna Gaines and Chip Gaines went to New York City in a photo posted to Instagram in 2024, Joanna showed that she could be fashionable and casual at the same time. She wore a trendy knit tank top with pink and yellow stripes, with a pair of medium-wash jeans. Her loose-fitting denim was cuffed at the ankles, showing off a casual sandal that tied the whole look together. Compared to Chip's simple, dark-wash jeans and white button-down shirt, Joanna's outfit was particularly stylish.

Joanna Gaines strayed from her typical color palette while on a date night with her husband. In a picture shared to Instagram in 2025, Joanna opted for a patriotic red, white, and blue plaid dress with a halter top and fitted waist. The pretty dress looked great on her with her long brown hair hanging in loose waves around one shoulder, as she smiled next to Chip Gaines in a simple white button-down shirt and jeans.

Joanna Gaines' casual outfits still have an air of style. Just look at this photo with husband, Chip Gaines, posted on Instagram in 2026. Joanna sported a pair of loose-fitting, light-wash ripped jeans, rolled up at the ankle. She topped the outfit off with a pair of low-top white Converse and a simple black T-shirt with a striking turquoise ring on her finger. One thing that stands out is how relaxed and confident she seems in this picture, laughing with her husband, compared to the pictures from earlier years.