Celeb Style

How Helen Mirren has evolved her style through the ages

These fashion moments prove that she's only getting better with age!
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Dame Helen Mirren is known for many things, from her acting awards and accolades, to her more recent environmental activism.

But after decades in the entertainment industry, there’s one thing that continues to stand out about the stunning 76-year-old: her style.

From red carpet gowns, to off-duty ensembles and racy little numbers, Helen has been serving up delicious doses of style since she was in her 20s.

Dame Helen Mirren is an undeniable style icon in her 70s.

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We’ve seen her go from the picture of old Hollywood glamour to a high fashion model in a matter of decades, and there are so many memorable moments in her long fashion journey.

There were Madonna-esque outfits in the ’80s, sequins and embellishments in the ’90s and so many more unique designs she’s donned in the years since.

Some of our favourite looks have been her most daring, but even the dame’s more subdued style moments manage to make headlines.

In honour of her timeless style that only seems to have improved with her age, we’re reliving Helen Mirren’s most memorable fashion moments.

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01

Pictured here in her mid-20s, Helen posed in a blouse and long skirt while promoting her film Age of Consent in 1969.

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02

She’s never been afraid of an edgy ensemble, donning fishnet and lingerie while portraying a racy character in 1975.

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03

Pictured in her Fulham home in London in 1975, Helen embraced the styles of the time, including these bold heels.

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04

Looking bold in the 1980’s, she posed in this Showgirls-style shoot.

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05

What a hat! Helen donned this chic accessory while in Berlin, Germany in 1985.

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06

The acting legend channelled Madonna as she headed to the Coronet Theatre in New York City in 1985.

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07

Never one to fear a bold colour, Helen chose orange for the premiere of When the Whales Came on in 1989.

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08

She certainly knew how to turn up the sex appeal for this portrait in 1992, when she was 47.

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09

Va va voom! Helen made jaws drop during her appearance at the 1994-1995 Drama Desk Awards Ceremony.

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10

Of course, she looks just as good in menswear as she does in gowns, as proven in this magazine shoot held from 1997.

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11

The stage and screen star chose a seductive lace number for the 50th Cannes Film Festival in 1997.

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12

Glamour was the only thing on Helen’s mind when she donned this elegant embellished gown for the 51st Annual Emmy Awards in 1999.

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13

The actress embraced a bold print for the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2003.

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14

The 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2002 saw Helen embrace a unique gown with a long draped shawl.

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15

The stunning actress, pictured here at 59, showed off her figure in this chic lace frock she wore to the 56th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards in 2004.

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16

Never afraid to try something new, Helen chose a taditional Indian sari for he 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2004.

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17

Surprise! In 2005 the star hid these dramatic heels under her full-skirted navy frock at the 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

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18

Helen looked resplendant in white as she accepted the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Elizabeth I at the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2006.

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19

In 2007 Helen embraced elegance – with a peek of cleavage – at the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

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20

It’s hard to believe the actress was already in her 60s when she rocked this stunning orange gown at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

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21

Red was her colour at the 80th Annual Academy Awards in 2008.

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22

Helen’s outfit for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2013 may be one of our favourites of all time.

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23

Aged 66, Helen looked smoking in a fitted dress during an interview with Jimmy Fallon in 2011.

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24

That same year she chose this chic gown with some cheeky cut-outs for a gala in New York City.

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25

Lace has long been a staple in Helen’s wardobe – just look at this gown she wore to the a 2013 gala in Hong Kong, complete with bold accessories.

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26

She pulled out all the spots for the Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 20th anniversary in 2014.

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27

Just two years later Helen, then 71, wowed us all with her incredible figure in this sparkling silver frock at the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

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28

She donned a similar embellished look with a more delicate twist for the 57th Monte Carlo TV Festival the following year.

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29

Catwalk queen! In 2018 Helen took to the runway at the Le Defile L’Oreal Paris show as part of Paris Fashion Week to remind us all she looks amazing in trousers too.

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30

Soon after she appeared at the Cannes Film Festival in this dramatic number with long, flowing sleeves.

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31

During the festival she was also pictured in this delightfully bold casual look.

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32

She then took a more minimal approach to her fashion at the 90th Annual Academy Awards.

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33

Helen started off 2019 with a chic tailored look at the premiere of the Aladdin remake.

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34

Her dress at the 91st Annual Academy Awards stole our breath, both for its incredible colour and delicate fabric. Who said women over 70 can’t wear vibrant colours?

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35

In fact, bright and bold designs were a big part of Helen’s wardrobe in 2019 and beyond, such as this incredible frock at the Catherine The Great premiere.

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36

But she can always return to her classic fashion roots, as she demonstrated in this rose gold number at the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival…

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37

And this vibrant red one at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards.

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38

Even at 75, Helen wouldn’t be constrained by outdated ideas of what women of a “certain age” should wear and she rocked this sparkling ensemble in Berlin in 2020.

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39

In fact, her fashion profile only seems to have grown as she’s aged. Here the star walks the runway during the “Le Defile L’Oreal Paris 2021” Womenswear show as part of Paris Fashion Week .

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40

The lovely dame even started coordinating her face masks to her outfits, like with this stunning pink number she wore as she accepted her Life Achievement Award at the 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2022.

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41

We’re not sure what we love more, the silver sparkles or long hair? Dame Helen looked exquisite on the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival red carpet.

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42

She even showed off her frock during a dance with Andie MacDowell!

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43

At the 2022 Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Women’s Show in Sicily, Helen well and truly stole the show in this gold lamé gown with colourful, hand-painted stripes.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 06: Helen Mirren is seen at the Dolce&Gabbana 40th Anniversary party on April 06, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Robino Salvatore/GC Images)

44

At the Dolce&Gabbana 40th Anniversary party on April 6th, 2024 in Milan, Italy, Helen stuns in a glitzy black ensemble, with a bold red lip.

Author The Australian Women's Weekly

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