Keira Knightley’s Fashion Evolution Through the Years: 2003-2023

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Ever since Keira Knightley hit superstardom in the early 2000s, everyone has been in awe of her. From her incredible acting roles to sassy interviews, people can’t help but be captivated by her — especially when it comes to her fashion sense.

For the past 20 years, Knightley has never been afraid to try something daring on the red carpet. Back in the early 2000s, she quickly became known for rocking head-turning looks with plunging necklines, bold patterns, and of course, for wowing in those forever iconic low-rise jeans.

Fast-forward a few years, and now: she not only became a Chanel ambassador but a British fashion It-girl known for her colorful, experimental red carpet fashion.

In a previous interview with The Talks, the Nutcracker star discussed how she stopped caring about the random backlash she got (even on the red carpet) as she’s gotten older. “I learned you can say nothing, you can be perfectly smiling, wearing a perfectly nice dress at the opening of a charity and people can still despise you for it,” she said.

So continue to watch her rock those bold styles that we adore seeing from her! From metallic, plunging slip dresses to princess-level ball gowns, colorful Chanel ensembles to gothic gowns, Knightley has wowed in them all.

Below, check out Knightley’s fashion evolution from 2003 to now!

Gorgeous & Gothic (2023)

Image Credit: Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.

Keira Knightley unleashed her inner gothic princess in this chic, black, and dazzling Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood gown.
Terrific in (Chanel) Tartan (2022)

Image Credit: Photo by Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images For Chanel.

Keira Knightley truly embodied bold fashion with this blue tartan Chanel two-piece for the Le Grand Numero De Chanel Fragance Show.
Chanel for ‘Charlotte’ (2022)

Image Credit: Photo by David M. Benett/Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/WireImage.

For the 2022 screening of Charlotte, Keira Knightley looked both effortlessly chic and sophisticated in this floor-length black gown and Chanel jacket combination.
Angelic for Premiere Day (2019)

Image Credit: Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage.

Keira Knightley looked so angelic in this sheer, tulle Simone Rocha dress, which she paired with sandy brown locks and gold pumps for the premiere of Official Secrets.
Charming in Chanel (2019)

Image Credit: Photo by Joe Maher/WireImage.

All eyes were on Keira Knightley at the Nutcracker premiere in Nov 2019 when she arrived in this cloudy-inspired Chanel dress, which had a baby pink belt and puffy gold accents throughout.
Bold in Blue (2019)

Image Credit: Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for ELLE Magazine.

Both dark and girlish, something so experimental and gorgeous that we’ve come to expect from Keira Knightley. In case you don’t remember, she donned this dusty blue Prada gown at Elle’s Women in Hollywood event in Oct 2019.
Beautiful in Blue Givenchy (2018)

Image Credit: Photo by Ricky Vigil M/WireImage.

We don’t see Keira Knightley in blue often, but when we do, our jaws are always on the floor. And that was exactly the case when she rocked this ruched Givenchy number at Harper’s Bazaar’s Women of the Year Awards.
Stunning in Suits (2018)

Image Credit: Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.

Keira Knightley shook things up with this velvet suit-inspired Chanel piece back in 2018!
Chanel for ‘Colette’ (2018)

Image Credit: Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images.

This feathered, structured Chanel dress from the Colette premiere may be one of Keira Knightley’s best looks.
Vivacious in Valentino (2017)

Image Credit: Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage.

Something about Keira Knightley in a flowing ballgown look just feels right, yknow? One of our all-time favorites has to be this green bow-clad Valentino look from Dec 2017.
Outrageous at the Oscars (2015)

Image Credit: Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.

While at the Oscars in Feb 2015, Keira Knightley wowed in this ethereal Valentino gown with delicate floral and script patterns throughout.
Flirty in Florals (2015)

Image Credit: Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage.

Keira Knightley was truly glowing in this fun and flirty floral Giambattista Valli dress for the 2015 EE British Academy Film Awards.
Butterfly Beauty (2015)

Image Credit: Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.

While this butterfly, ruffled Chanel look left viewers quite split on whether or not they liked it, we can safely say we adored this bold look of hers from the Golden Globes in Jan 2015.
Powerful in Purple at the SAG Awards (2015)

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Keira Knightley hypnotized everyone in this deep purple, lace gown from Erdem at the SAG Awards in Jan 2015!
Golden Goddess Vibes (2014)

Image Credit: Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage.

This paneled, golden Valentino look Keira Knightley wore at the premiere of The Imitation Game still lives in our minds rent-free!
Wedding Day Pt 2? (2013)

Image Credit: Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage.

Remember when Keira Knightley made the iconic move of recycling her wedding gown for the SeriousFun London Gala in 2013?!
Beautiful for ‘Begin Again’ (2013)

Image Credit: Photo by Gary Gershoff/WireImage.

Remember when Keira Knightley attended the Begin Again premiere in this flowing navy Valentino piece?!
Fabulous in Florals (2012)

Image Credit: Photo by Jason Merritt/WireImage.

One of Keira Knightley’s boldest (and most floral) looks to date was this jewel-encrusted gown from Valentino she donned in 2012!
Valentino in Venice (2011)

Image Credit: Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Lancia.

Once again, Keira Knightley ensured all eyes were on her with this princess-like gold ballgown from Valentino.
Baby Blue Beauty (2008)

Image Credit: Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage.

For the premiere of The Duchess, Keira Knightley ensured all eyes were on her with this blue Alexis Mabille mini-dress.
Greek Goddess Vibes (2007)

Image Credit: Photo by Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage.

Keira Knightley was the definition of a Greek goddess in this silver Rodarte dress that she wowed in at the premiere of Atonement in 2007.
Daring & Dolled-Up (2006)

Image Credit: Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images.

Keira Knightley unleashed her ultra-daring side in this barely-there brown Gucci gown for the premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest in July 2006.
Maroon Marvel (2006)

Image Credit: Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.

One of Keira Knightley’s most iconic looks to date is this deep maroon, one-shoulder gown from Vera Wang from the Oscars in March 2006.
Wowing in White (2006)

Image Credit: Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.

While more on the simple side, this white, belted Valentino dress Keira Knightley wore for the Golden Globes in Jan 2006 truly captured everyone’s attention.
Pretty in Purple (2005)

Image Credit: Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images.

While at the 2005 premiere of Pride and Prejudice, Keira Knightley rocked this gold-lined purple gown from Matthew Williamson.
Art Deco Dream (2004)

Image Credit: Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images.

Keira Knightley embraced the art-deco vibes with this plunging, sparkling gown for the Hollywood Awards Gala!
Low-Rise Icon (2003)

Image Credit: Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.

Whenever someone mentions low-rise jeans, chances are this red carpet moment from Keira Knightley at the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl premiere is what comes to mind.
Metallic Superstar (2003)

Image Credit: Photo by Amy Graves/WireImage.

Keira Knightley’s first (and one of her most iconic) red carpet looks to date is this metallic slip dress she rocked at Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 11th Annual Oscar party!