Kelly Ripa Outfits That Didn't Deserve The Hate

Actor and TV host Kelly Ripa has certainly made her mark on the entertainment industry. Ripa got her big break on iconic soap opera "All My Children" in 1990, and, since then, has established herself as one of the most popular daytime television hosts. Ripa took over Kathie Lee Gifford's spot on "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" in 2001, and has continued to star on the program ever since. Since her co-host Regis Philbin's retirement in 2011, Ripa has been joined by several different hosts on the program, including Michael Strahan, Ryan Seacrest, and (most recently) her husband, Mark Consuelos. However, Ripa is also known for something far less positive: her poorly-received outfits. Despite her charming personality and good looks, Ripa isn't exactly regarded as a fashionista. 

Kelly Ripa has worn some inappropriate outfits over the years, all of which sparked criticism online. While many of these looks are indeed questionable at best, some of the internet's most hated outfits from Ripa aren't nearly as bad as we've been led to believe. Despite looks from Kelly Ripa's collection of outdated outfits showcasing the TV host's worst fashion moments, there are some good qualities to be found within her wardrobe. A few of these examples, including Kelly Ripa's 2023 Oscars dress, were stunning but ultimately too casual for their respective events. 

Kelly Ripa received a lot of criticism for the dress she wore to the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony. Ripa wore a champagne-colored gown made from sparkling rhinestones, which many online bashed for its structured bodice. While people claimed that the gown wasn't flattering on Ripa, we disagree; Ripa's dress showed off her fantastic arms, which she presumably worked hard to sculpt. It may not have been the best look on the Oscars' red carpet that night, but it was far from one of the worst. 

Kelly Ripa looked elegant while attending the Emmy Awards alongside husband Mark Consuelos, but she doesn't think so. In one 2015 segment from "Live with Kelly and Mark," Ripa joked about pictures of herself and her husband attempting to be "fashion forward" in the 2000s. During the clip, Ripa compared herself and Consuelos to Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino in the film "Scarface" (in which Pacino wears a now-iconic white suit). While Consuelos did resemble Pacino in his outfit, Ripa's low-cut purple gown suited her figure beautifully. 

Kelly Ripa wore a see-through black gown to the Oscars two years in a row: in 2023 and 2024. While the version she wore to the 2024 Oscars was inappropriate, her previous gown was incredibly chic. Though many believed it was too risqué, this dress is more demure than people give her credit for (especially compared to her gown the following year). The mesh is just transparent enough to show a glimpse of her figure, and its high neckline offsets the sex appeal of the material perfectly. 

One of Kelly Ripa's dresses landed her on Marie Claire's all-time list of the worst-dressed celebrities at the Oscars: the Christian Siriano ballgown she wore to the 2018 ceremony. We certainly don't agree that this gown is awful enough to be considered one of the worst ever. From the front especially, Ripa channeled old Hollywood glamor with a flattering sweetheart neckline, full skirt, and classic jewelry. While opinions are mixed on the massive green and pink bow on the back, we still think this look didn't deserve all the hate. 

Another of Kelly Ripa's most infamous looks also comes from the Oscars. In 2017, Ripa wore a dark blue Carolina Herrera gown decorated with butterfly-themed appliqués on the red carpet. This dress is widely hated because of said appliqués, with many believing that it cheapened the entire look. While we're not entirely in love with the butterfly motif, this gown still has plenty to appreciate; the dress' classic silhouette — especially its long train — looks absolutely gorgeous on Ripa. 

Another of Kelly Ripa's self-proclaimed fashion "mistakes" is her 2000 Daytime Emmys look. During the aforementioned 2015 segment of "Live with Kelly and Mark," Ripa brought out some photos of herself in the bold pink jumpsuit she wore the ceremony. While it was clear that Ripa didn't care for the 'fit herself 15 years later, we think it's a look that harkens back to the 1970s in a fun way. We especially love Ripa's voluminous hair, which she accomplished by "get[ting] hold of a hair crimper."