20 Times Kelly Ripa's Outfits Turned Heads

Kelly Ripa has worn many hats in her lifetime — from soap opera darling to talk show royalty. The entertainment juggernaut has mastered the art of multitasking — and looking good while doing so. In fact, we should add fashion icon to her list of titles. After all, how many people can say they already have their funeral outfit all picked out? "It's a Dolce & Gabbana black dress," she revealed on "Live with Kelly and Mark" in January 2024. "It's 10 years old. It's elegant. It's gorgeous, it's black, it's adorable."

Ripa's storied career means that fans have been able to see the fashionista's style evolve from her youthful, bubblegum pop-inspired looks of the 1990s to her sleek, modern taste of today. On television screens and red carpets alike, it seems the host has carved out an aesthetic all her own. In honor of Ripa's style transformation, let's take a trip down memory lane to see her most double-take-worthy looks.

The world was certainly not sleeping on this look. When Kelly Ripa was photographed leaving "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" in black and gold Amiri pajamas, the fashion world was aghast. People magazine revealed the silk set's $2,280 price tag, while InStyle couldn't help but celebrate Ripa's bold choice of pairing her PJs with a pair of black heels. Whether you're a lover or a hater of this cozy look, you have to agree that the irreverent cigarette and champagne print on the suit is right in line with Ripa's famous sense of humor.

Ruffles were the look in 2020. That year, Kelly Ripa made a statement on the Oscars red carpet with a black floor-length gown that featured ruffles on ruffles on ruffles. The Christian Siriano dress featured a blooming skirt and a one-shoulder ruffled neckline. Per her tradition, Ripa took to Instagram following the ceremony to share her look with her followers. To say that this gown had them doing a double take would be an understatement. "You looked like a million dollars," one fan commented. "Your dress was not only fabulous but you were fabulous in it." Others chimed in with variations of "Love that dress."

Awards season is always a time when Kelly Ripa debuts her most glamorous looks of the year. 2017 was no different, with the morning show host going midnight blue with a strapless stunner at that year's Oscars Ceremony. She was fully in her "Speak Now" era for this red carpet moment, mimicking the dreamy motif of the Taylor Swift album. Two butterfly adornments dotted her dress, one on the bodice and another flying across the skirt. When Ripa posted a behind-the-scenes snap on Instagram, one fan called her the "picture of true beauty and grace," while another exclaimed, "One of the nicest [dresses] of the evening!"

With her honey blonde locks, it's no surprise that Kelly Ripa has been known to rock a Barbie-inspired look in her time. Even before the premiere of the 2023 film "Barbie," Ripa stunned us with a bright pink ensemble. Attending a "Power of Women" event hosted by Variety in April 2023, Ripa was photographed rocking a Barbie pink midi dress paired with sparkly Miu Miu Mary Janes.

Fans showed appreciation for the talk show host's ensemble, with one commenting on Instagram, "Love your dress!" Another remarked, "Most beautiful woman inside and out!"

Yes, they have private chefs and chauffeurs, but even celebrities need a vacation every now and then — and Kelly Ripa is no exception! She grabbed fans' attention when she shared photos of her beach chic looks while on vacation in 2023. In the slideshow of family photos set to the beach anthem "Summer Renaissance" by Beyoncé, Ripa was not in the ultra-glam looks we're used to seeing. Instead, this video showed Ripa au naturel, rocking just a simple, V-necked kaftan.

Fans on Instagram responded with raving comments, with one writing, "Crazy beautiful," and another: "So very dreamy and fabulous!"

Kelly Ripa may be a mom of three, but that doesn't mean she can't bring the heat. The media mogul wowed when she attended the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscars After Party rocking a suit and blazer combo reminiscent of a lingerie set. Her sheer body suit reminded fans at home that she's definitely still got it. Multiple layers of diamond necklaces and a classic pair of black pumps added an extra touch of cool, too. When Ripa shared the look with followers on Instagram, one fan wrote, "LOOK AT HER BODY SUIT!!!!! KILLIN it," while another joined in, writing, "YOU LOOK MUCHO CALIENTE," followed by a string of fire emojis. 

It's always a pleasure to see Kelly Ripa pull something with a pop of color out of her closet. In March 2024, fans were delighted to see their fave sporting not only a frock with a bold gold hue but also one with fringe. Color and texture! Ripa donned the outfit when attending the Creative Artists Agency's pre-Oscar party at LA's Sunset Tower Hotelalongside her husband Mark Consuelos. Ripa apparently took inspiration from the Oscars statue. The sophisticated ensemble made headlines, with publications like Hello! applauding Kelly and her husband Mark's good looks. 

Taking a page out of Kate Middleton's fashion playbook, Ripa looked all the picture of royalty when she donned this metallic purple dress from the brand The Vampire's Wife — a favorite of the royals residing across the pond. The violet color, reminiscent of springtime, was a new one for the television host, who usually favors other colors. When she posted her fit on Instagram, fans were quick to praise the new aesthetic. One commenter proclaimed, "That lavender color!" along a string of emojis. Another wrote, "Kelly, [you] rock the color violet, looks stunning." Paired with a messy up-do, this look was certainly a hit. 

Fans who follow Kelly Ripa on social media will know that the fitness aficionado isn't afraid to flaunt her toned muscles. In January 2024, Ripa left fans speechless when she celebrated the final day of her vacation by posting a photo of herself and husband Mark Consuelos hanging out by the pool. Her Instagram caption read, "Greetings from Captains Underpants. (One last swim)." Despite the picturesque water in the background, it was Ripa's strapless swimsuit that garnered all the attention. "That's an adorable swimsuit," one fan commented. Another told Ripa, "You are a golden goddess, my dear." Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" fame even chimed in, telling Ripa her poolside look was "better than Baywatch."

Although she has surpassed many career milestones in her time on television, Kelly Ripa may count her marriage to Mark Consuelos as one of her greatest achievements. The two eloped in Las Vegas in 1996 and have since welcomed three children — Michael, Lola, and Joaquin – remaining as happy as ever.

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the love birds returned to the city where they were hitched, with Ripa even donning the same dress she wore to their elopement decades earlier. In a 2016 episode of "Live with Kelly and Michael," Ripa admitted that she actually sports the dress often. "I didn't buy it as a wedding dress. ... I swear to you, I wear it constantly," she told her then-co-host. "It was the best $199 I ever spent in my life," she continued.

On Ripa and Consuelos's 25th anniversary, Ripa took to Instagram and reshared both photos — and her fans were practically wiping happy tears from their eyes. One wrote, "Absolutely priceless and gorgeous." Another added, "So perfect in so many ways!"