Rachel McAdams’ style evolution through the years

Not only did Rachel McAdams appear in some of the biggest Hollywood movies of the early aughts (Mean Girls, The Notebook, Wedding Crashers—need we say more?), but she’s dominated red carpets and celeb-style columns along the way.

Whether rocking quintessential Y2K pieces like printed midi dresses and patent leather heels or wearing glamorous gowns by designers like Marchesa, Valentino, and Ralph Lauren, the award-winning actress, who got her breakout role as Regina George in Mean Girls, has always been a fashion icon. Ahead, we take a look at her style evolution through the years.

April 2004: Mean Girls World Premiere

McAdams smiles at the camera in a wine-colored dress with an asymmetrical neckline and a flirty knee-length hem. Her purple cut-out pumps, cherry red lipstick, and auburn-tinted bob complemented the outfit perfectly.

June 2004: The Notebook World Premiere

Later that month, the star paired a pale pink embroidered look with blush open-toed heels for the premiere of The Notebook. The look’s unexpected details, such as the plunging neckline and fabric-belted empire waist, were something else.

May 2004: Young Hollywood Awards

She flashed a smile in a white and red polka-dotted look and accessorized with a black and red ruffled clutch.

December 2005: The Family Stone New York City Screening

McAdams opted for a glamorous look for the New York premiere of The Family Stone. The strapless lace-trimmed satin dress, black heels, and bouffant hair had a vintage air to it.

October 2005: Hollywood Film Festival Awards

She embraced texture and patterns for this awards show red carpet. Her strapless black and white printed dress featured a scalloped sweetheart neckline.

August 2005: Red Eye Los Angeles Premiere

She looked chic in a sweet white ruffled look with a frilled bustline and chiffon skirt for the premiere of her horror film Red Eye. Her fuchsia floral hair accessory and pointy pink pumps provided a fun pop of color.

July 2005: Wedding Crashers New York City Premiere

McAdams donned a 1960s-esque bouffant hairstyle with a royal blue rhinestone-encrusted dress at the premiere of Wedding Crashers. Her shiny drop earrings, frosted lipstick, and metallic gold heels made the look unforgettable.

June 2005: MTV Movie Awards

If you watched the 2005 MTV Movie Awards, then you remember this top—it's the one she wore to accept the Best Kiss award with Ryan Gosling! This black lace and champagne-hued satin corset is still in fashion today.

January 2007: Giorgio Armani Show

She rocked a goth-inspired look at the Armani fashion show, which included a drapey inky black dress, a deep smokey eye, and pink-dyed tresses.

January 2007: Screen Actors Guild Awards

She embraced Gosling at the SAG Awards in a patterned white and gray minidress. McAdams accessorized with a beaded silver envelope clutch. Her pink-tinted hair was styled down for the occasion.

September 2007: Married Life Premiere

McAdams gave color-blocking a go by sporting a boatneck black, red, and white dress at the Married Life premiere.

April 2009: ShoWest Awards

She chose an ethereal peach-hued chiffon dress for the ShoWest Awards and paired it with a satin butter yellow clutch and simple jewelry.

August 2009: The Time Traveler’s Wife New York City Premiere

McAdams wore a clingy white minidress with a plunging neckline and exaggerated shoulders at the New York premiere of The Time Traveler’s Wife. She wore glossy black heels for the occasion.

December 2009: Sherlock Holmes World Premiere

For the Sherlock Holmes world premiere, she strutted down the red carpet in a one-shouldered dark gray dress with metallic silver accents along the bodice. Her voluminous braid and striking red lipstick set the tone.

January 2010: Sherlock Holmes German Premiere

She posed for a photo at the film’s screening in Germany wearing another fabulous one-shouldered look. For this event, she chose a teal blue floor-length gown with a chic black ribbon belt.

March 2010: 82nd Academy Awards

She wore a floor-length Elie Saab gown in soothing shades of blue, purple, green, and pink to the 2010 Academy Awards.

March 2010: Morning Glory New York Premiere

That same month, McAdams arrived at the New York premiere of Morning Glory in a strapless minidress with all-over ruching. She matched lace-up mesh stilettos and a stack of silver bangles with it.

January 2011: Morning Glory German Premiere

For the rom-com film’s premiere in Germany, she switched it up and wore a dramatic red gown with black leather details.

May 2011: Cannes Film Festival Photocall

The actress posed at a Cannes Film Festival photocall for Midnight in Paris in a structured short-sleeve midi dress with cream embellishments and sandy-colored shoes.

May 2011: Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival always brings out the best of red carpet fashion, and the actress had one of the standout looks. McAdams stunned in this elaborately designed dress with a tan chiffon train and flowy sleeves. The sheer number was designed by Marchesa.

May 2011: Midnight in Paris Screening

She channeled 1920s Hollywood glamour in a drapey white satin dress with three-quarter-length sleeves, chandelier earrings, and a coral pink lip.

February 2012: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Los Angeles Premiere

She kept it casual at a premiere in a semi-sheer short-sleeve periwinkle top, a patterned high-waisted silk skirt, and a simple purple clutch.

February 2012: The Vow Hollywood Premiere

She rocked another strapless midi dress with ruching on the bodice for the Hollywood premiere of her drama The Vow. Her vibrant red lipstick, diamond necklace, and tan-hued pumps were the perfect accents.

August 2013: About Time World Premiere

McAdams chose clean lines and a sleek silhouette for the world premiere of About Time. The look—which featured dramatic shoulders, a shiny purple-tinted belt, and a small train—was designed by Roksanda Ilincic.

May 2014: Met Gala

She opted for an elegant pale pink Ralph Lauren strapless gown for the 2014 Met Gala. She styled the piece with a pale pink lip, tousled tresses, and minimal jewelry.

October 2014: Canada's Walk of Fame Awards

She posed in a striking black and white floor-length gown with a notched neckline at the Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards in 2014.

July 2015: Southpaw Canadian Premiere

The actress was spotted at Southpaw’s Canadian premiere in a sleeveless bright pink ankle-length dress. She accessorized with silver sandals and simple jewelry.

July 2015: ESPY Awards

That same month, she wore a vibrant red two-piece pantsuit to the ESPY Awards. The blazer featured a satin collar and one-button closure, while the pants had a tapered silhouette.

July 2015: Southpaw New York Premiere

For the New York premiere of Southpaw, McAdams wore an off-the-shoulder midi dress with a twisted bodice, center cutout, and flirty hem. Her minimal heels proved to be the perfect shoe for the occasion.

January 2016: Golden Globe Awards

Everything’s coming up roses. The actress opted for a head-turning floral-inspired Lanvin gown for the 73rd Golden Globe Awards. Her casual updo and minimal accessories allowed the dress to shine.

January 2016: Screen Actors Guild Awards

McAdams stunned in a see-through mesh Elie Saab gown at the 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards. The look featured a beautifully beaded bodice, an embroidered lace skirt, and a low back.

February 2016: Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards

Just a few weeks later, she sported a body-hugging sequined racerback-style gown with a chiffon skirt and high front slit for the DGA Awards.

February 2016: Film Independent Spirit Awards

McAdams was a breath of fresh air in a color-blocked gown with an orange-hued bodice, pastel pink belt, and floor-grazing white taffeta skirt. Her pointy platform heels and simple clutch tied the look together seamlessly.

May 2016: Met Gala

She deviated from her usual light and airy looks and wore a striking deep gold ensemble to the 2016 Met Gala. The outfit—designed by Valentino—showcased a high neckline, intricately sequined skirt, and metallic mesh sleeves.

April 2018: Disobedience Premiere

The screen star wore a fabulously ruffled Giambattista Valli look to the premiere of Disobedience in 2018. The delightfully over-the-top gown included a tiered hem, a low V-neckline, and voluminous shoulder details.

May 2022: Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness World Premiere

She kept it chic and sheer at a premiere a few years later in a gorgeous chartreuse gown with a glamorous silhouette. The sequined front, the wide graceful sleeves, and the flowing train offer a lot to love.

April 2023: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret Los Angeles Premiere

She sported a red cut-out Victoria Beckham dress with flared sleeves to the Los Angeles premiere of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. She paired the look with ankle-strap red satin heels.