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lookbook
December 8, 2014

See Reese Witherspoon’s Preppy Style Evolution

By Leah Rodriguez

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Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris /Getty Images

Reese Witherspoon’s onscreen characters run the gamut — think of Annette Hargrove, Elle Woods, Tracey Flick — but offscreen, her style has remained pretty consistent. As the star of Wild (and the producer of Gone Girl), Witherspoon has been on a recent red-carpet tear, showing up in a series of polished looks in floral prints and bold colors. She went for a clean Zac Posen cocktail dress with side-swept bangs for Wild’s premiere and created the illusion of animal skin with a Giambattista Valli sheer gown at the May Fair Hotel Gala.

Revisit the Academy Award winner’s best looks in our slideshow below, including her brief go at being a brunette, her darker wardrobe from her early Ryan Philippe days, and so much more.

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1 / 117 Photos
February 26, 2018 Where: At the premiere of “A Wrinkle in Time” in Los Angeles. What: Dress by Michael Kors. Photo: Michael Tran/FilmMagic
September 21, 2017 Where: At the screening of 'Home Again' in London. What: Dress by Stella McCartney. Photo: Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Im... September 21, 2017 Where: At the screening of 'Home Again' in London. What: Dress by Stella McCartney. Photo: Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
February 7, 2017 Where: At the premiere of HBO's 'Big Little Lies' in Hollywood. Photo: 2017 Getty Images
December 3, 2016 Where: At the premiere of 'Sing' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Steve Granitz
November 16, 2016  Where: At Girls Inc. Los Angeles Celebration Luncheon in Beverly Hills. Photo: 2016 Joshua Blanchard
September 11, 2016 Where: At the premiere of 'Sing' during the Toronto International Film Festival. Photo: C Flanigan/FilmMagic
November 14, 2015 Where: At the Baby2Baby Gala. Photo: Jeff Vespa/Getty Images
November 9, 2015 Where: At Glamour Women Of The Year Awards in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
September 18, 2015 Where: At The Broad Museum inaugural celebration in Los Angeles. Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage
June 22, 2015 Where: At the Hot Pursuit premiere in Mexico City. Photo: Victor Chavez/WireImage
June 11, 2015 Where: At a celebration honoring Christian Louboutin and his new boutique hosted by James Rosenfield at The Brentwood Country Mart.... June 11, 2015 Where: At a celebration honoring Christian Louboutin and his new boutique hosted by James Rosenfield at The Brentwood Country Mart. Photo: Donato Sardella/Getty Images
April 19, 2015 Where: At the Academy Of Country Music Awards. Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
January 24, 2015 Where: At the PGA Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2015 Jon Kopaloff
January 8, 2015 Where: At the W Magazine celebration of the 'Best Performances' Portfolio and The Golden Globes with Cadillac and Dom Perignon in... January 8, 2015 Where: At the W Magazine celebration of the 'Best Performances' Portfolio and The Golden Globes with Cadillac and Dom Perignon in Los Angeles. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
December 11, 2014 Where: In Beverly Hills. Photo: 2014 Bauer-Griffin
 November 21, 2014 Where: At the 12th Annual Lupus LA Hollywood Bag Ladies Luncheon.  Photo: Valerie Macon/2014 Getty Images
November 19, 2014 Where: At the Wild premiere.  Photo: Frederick M. Brown/2014 Getty Images
 November 14, 2014 Where: At the 18th Annual Hollywood Film Awards.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2014 Getty Images
November 8, 2014 Where: At the the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 2014 Governors Awards.  Photo: Frazer Harrison/2014 G... November 8, 2014 Where: At the the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 2014 Governors Awards.  Photo: Frazer Harrison/2014 Getty Images
October 21, 2014  Where: At the 28th American Cinematheque Awards.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2014 Getty Images
October 13, 2014 Where: At the The May Fair Hotel Gala in London, England.  Photo: Dave Hogan/2014 Getty Images
October 13, 2014 Where: At the Wild photocall in London, England.  Photo: Tim P. Whitby/2014 Getty Images
 October 10, 2014 Where:  Variety's 2014 Power Of Women Event in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Barry King/2014 Barry Kin...  October 10, 2014 Where:  Variety's 2014 Power Of Women Event in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Barry King/2014 Barry King
September 17, 2014 Where: At The Good Lie premiere in Washington, DC.  Photo: Paul Morigi/2014 Paul Morigi
September 5, 2014  Where: At the Hollywood Unites for the 4th Biennial Stand Up for Cancer event.  Photo: Frederick M. Brown/201... September 5, 2014  Where: At the Hollywood Unites for the 4th Biennial Stand Up for Cancer event.  Photo: Frederick M. Brown/2014 Getty Images
May 5, 2014 Where: At the Costume Institute Gala.  Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/2014 Getty Images
March 28, 2014 Where: In Los Angeles, California.  Photo: SMXRF/Star Max/2014 Star Max
March 2, 2014 Where: At the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.  Photo: C Flanigan/2014 C Flanigan
March 1, 2014 Where: At the  Film Independent Spirit Awards.  Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/2014 Getty Images
January 28, 2014 Where: At the Hollywood Stands Up To Cancer Event.  Photo: Kevin Mazur/2014 Kevin Mazur
January 21, 2014 Where: In Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Bauer-Griffin/2014 Bauer-Griffin
January 14, 2014 Where: At the Find It In Everything release.  Photo: Jason LaVeris/2014 Jason LaVeris
January 12, 2014 Where: At the  Golden Globe awards.  Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN/2014 AFP
December 5, 2013 Where: At the Chidren's Defense Fund 23rd annual Beat The Odds Awards.  Photo: Chelsea Lauren/2013 Chelsea Lauren
October 21, 2013  Where: At ELLE's 20th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration Photo: Frederick M. Brown/2013 Getty Images
October 20, 2013 Where: At the Pirch store launch.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2013 Getty Images
September 8, 2013 Where: At the The Devil's Knot premiere in Toronto, Canada.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2013 Getty Images
February 24, 2013 Where: At the 85th Annual Academy Awards.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2013 Getty Images
February 1, 2013 Where: In Los Angeles, California.  Photo: JB Lacroix/2013 JB Lacroix
December 13, 2012 Where: In Los Angeles, California.  Photo: JB Lacroix/2012 JB Lacroix
December 7, 2012 Where: At the  the March Of Dimes' Celebration Of Babies.  Photo: Paul A. Hebert/2012 Getty Images
December 6, 2012 Where: At the the Children's Defense Fund-California 22nd Annual "Beat the Odds" Awards.  Photo: Toby Canh... December 6, 2012 Where: At the the Children's Defense Fund-California 22nd Annual "Beat the Odds" Awards.  Photo: Toby Canham/2012 Getty Images
June 3, 2012 Where: At the 6th Annual Kidstock Music And Arts Festival.  Photo: Donato Sardella/2012 Donato Sardella
May 26, 2012 Where: At the Mud after party.  Photo: George Pimentel/2012 George Pimentel
May 26, 2012 Where: At the Mud photocall in Cannes, France.  Photo: Mike Marsland/2012 Mike Marsland
April 28, 2012 Where: At the e 98th Annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.  Photo: Stephen Lovekin/2012 Getty Images
April 13, 2012 Where: At the "My Valentine" video premiere.  Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/2012 Getty Images
April 13, 2012 Where: At the 2012 Avon Communications Awards.  Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/2012 Getty Images
February 23, 2012 Where: At the This Means War press conference.  Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/2012 Getty Images
January 30, 2012 Where: At the This Means War in London, England.  Photo: Gareth Cattermole/2012 Getty Images
 January 15, 2012 Where: At the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2012 Getty Images
November 5, 2011 Where: At the LACMA Inaugural Art + Film Gala.  Photo: Jason LaVeris/2011 Jason LaVeris
October 17, 2011 Where: At ELLE's 18th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2011 Getty... October 17, 2011 Where: At ELLE's 18th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2011 Getty Images
August 22, 2011 Where: In Los Angeles, Califoria.  Photo: JB Lacroix/2011 JB Lacroix
May 3, 2011 Where:  At the Water For Elephants premiere in London, England.  Photo: Ian Gavan/2011 Getty Images
April 28, 2011 Where: At the Water For Elephants premiere in Paris, France.  Photo: Julien M. Hekimian/2011 Getty Images
April 17, 2011 Where: At the Water For Elephants premiere in New York City.  Photo: Jason Kempin/2011 Getty Images
February 27, 2011 Where: At the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.  Photo: John Shearer/2011 Getty Images
December 13, 2010 Where: At the How Do You Know premiere in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2010 Getty Images
December 1, 2010 Where: At the ceremony honoring her with the 2,425th Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/2010 ... December 1, 2010 Where: At the ceremony honoring her with the 2,425th Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/2010 Getty Images
October 26, 2010 Where: At the 10th annual Avon Foundation For Women Gala in New York City.  Photo: Jason Kempin/2010 Getty Images
August 19, 2010 Where: In Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/2010 Jean Baptiste Lacroix
March 10, 2010  Where: At the Vital Voices 2010 Global Leadership Awards.  Photo: Kevin Mazur/2010 Kevin Mazur
March 2, 2010 Where: At the Vera Wang Los Angeles Store lauch party.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2010 Getty Images
October 27, 2009 Where: In New York City.  Photo: Ray Tamarra/2009 Ray Tamarra
March 22, 2009 Where: At the Monsters Vs. Aliens premiere.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2009 Getty Images
March 13, 2009 Where: At the Monsters vs. Alien premiere in Rome, Italy.  Photo: Elisabetta Villa/2009 Getty Images
March 11, 2009  Where: At the Monster vs Aliens premiere in London, England.  Photo: Tim Whitby/2009 Getty Images
March 09, 2009 Where: At the Monsters vs. Aliens premiere in Berlin, Germany.  Photo: Florian Seefried/2009 Florian Seefried
February 22, 2009 Where: At the Vanity Fair Oscar Party Photo: George Pimentel/2009 George Pimentel
February 20, 2009 Where: At a UNICEF charity gala in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Jason LaVeris/2009 Jason LaVeris
January 7, 2009 Where: At the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2009 Getty Images
November 20, 2008 Where: At the Four Christmases premiere.  Photo: John Shearer/2008 WireImage
November 12, 2008  Where: At the 42nd Annual CMA Awards.  Photo: Bryan Bedder/2008 Getty Images
October 21, 2007  Where: At the Rendition premiere in Rome, Italy.  Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/2007 Getty Images
October 10, 2007 Where: At the Rendition premiere in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Lester Cohen/2007 Lester Cohen
August 1, 2007 Where: At a press conference for AVON.  Photo: Jon Kopaloff/2007 Jon Kopaloff
February 28, 2007  Where: At the 79th Annual Academy Awards.  Photo: Kevin Mazur
January 28, 2007  Where: At the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Photo: Jon Kopaloff
January 15, 2007  Where: At the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards.  Photo: Steve Granitz
September 8, 2006 Where: At the gala presentation of Penelope.  Photo: Evan Agostini/2006 Getty Images
 March 5, 2006 Where: At the  78th Annual Academy Awards.  Photo: Frazer Harrison/2006 Getty Images
February 13, 2006  Where: At the 78th Annual Academy Awards nominees luncheon.  Photo: Jason Merritt
 January 29, 2006 Where: At the  12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.  Photo: Frederick M. Brown/2006 Getty Images
 January 9, 2006  Where: At the  the 11th Annual Critics' Choice Awards.  Photo: Frazer Harrison/2006 Getty Images
December 6, 2005  Where: At the the 14th annual Hollywood Reporter Women In Entertainment Power 100 breakfast.  Photo: Vince Buc... December 6, 2005  Where: At the the 14th annual Hollywood Reporter Women In Entertainment Power 100 breakfast.  Photo: Vince Bucci/2005 Getty Images
November 13, 2005 Where: At the Walk The Line premiere in New York City.  Photo: Paul Hawthorne/2005 Getty Images
November 3, 2005  Where: At the Walk the Line premiere in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Jon Kopaloff
October 25, 2005  Where: At the I Walk the Line: A Night for Johnny Cash event.  Photo: Jason Merritt
October 20, 2005  Where: At the "Couture Cares" Exclusive Oscar de la Renta Fashion Show and Luncheon.  Photo: Steve G... October 20, 2005  Where: At the "Couture Cares" Exclusive Oscar de la Renta Fashion Show and Luncheon.  Photo: Steve Granitz
September 20, 2005  Where: At the The 12th Annual Premiere Women in Hollywood.  Photo: Jon Kopaloff
September 8, 2005  Where: At the Just Like Heaven premiere in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Kevin Winter/2005 Getty Images
June 22, 2005 Where: At the Wicked premiere in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Kevin Winter/2005 Getty Images
October 19, 2004  Where: At the Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry screening.  Photo: Jeff Vespa
 September 5, 2004  Where: At the Vanity Fair premiere in Venice, Italy.  Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/2004 Getty Images
September 5, 2004  Where: At the 61st Venice Film Festival.  Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/2004 Getty Images
August 16, 2004  Where: At the Vanity Fair premiere in New York City.  Photo: Lawrence Lucier
August 16, 2004  Where: At the Vanity Fair screening in New York City.  Photo: Evan Agostini/2004 Getty Images
June 30, 2003  Where: At the Legally Blonde 2 Red, White & Blonde in New York City.  Photo: Jim Spellman
April 1, 2003 Where: At the Imitation of Christ premiere.  Photo: Chris Weeks
May 13, 2002 Where: At The Importance of Being Earnest premiere in New York City.  Photo: Jim Spellman
March 14, 2002  Where: At The 74th Annual Academy Awards.  Photo: SGranitz
January 20, 2002 Where: At The 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards.  Photo: Gregg DeGuire
December 9, 2001  Where: At the Gosford Park premiere in New York City.  Photo: Jim Spellman
August 12, 2001  Where: At the Teen Choice Awards.  Photo: Gregg DeGuire
July 1, 2001  Where: At the Legally Blonde party.  Photo: RJ Capak
June 26, 2001  Where: At the Legally Blonde premiere.  Photo: Gregg DeGuire
January 21, 2001  Where: At The 58th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Photo: SGranitz
January 10, 2001  Where: At the Antitrust premiere with Ryan Phillippe.  Photo: SGranitz
March 23, 2000  Where: At the Independent Spirit Awards.  Photo: Jeff Kravitz
April 9, 2000 Where: At the 6th Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards in Los Angeles, California.  Photo: Brenda Chase
February 25, 1999  Where: At the Cruel Intentions premiere.  Photo: Steve.Granitz
August 24, 1998  Where: At the 54 premiere.  Photo: Steve.Granitz
September 29, 1996 Where: At the The House of Yes premiere.  Photo: SGranitz
September 20, 1996  Where: At the Two Days in the Valley premiere.  Photo: SGranitz
July 1, 1996  Where: At the Fear premiere in Sydney, Austrailia.  Photo: Patrick Riviere/1996 Getty Images
1 / 117

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