The actress broke through in ‘Veronica Mars’ as the antithesis of the early-2000s romantic heroine, carrying that sharp-edged image for years; only after becoming the blonde shiksa in ‘Nobody Wants This’ did she embrace daring red-carpet style
Erez Amiran|Kristen Bell is the least stereotypically blonde blonde ever to race across our screens. She looks like the heroine of a romantic comedy, but always chooses to be the one delivering the jokes. She is tiny, with a perfect smile and a sweet voice, and when those qualities are combined with cynicism, intelligence and humor that often veers toward the wicked, the overall effect is surprising and irresistible. It is no coincidence that she was chosen as the voice of Gossip Girl herself.GalleryShe realized fashion could become part of her story. Kristen Bell(Illustration: Erez Amiran)It all began with "Veronica Mars", a TV icon of the early 2000s. She was an investigator, a romantic lead and a fighter all at once. Bell’s character was the opposite of the confused romantic heroines who dominated the period and the antithesis of the all-American football cheerleader who defined the era’s image of blondness. She was tough, sad and far too smart to fit her own appearance.The least stereotypically blonde blonde. Kristen Bell on the set of ‘Veronica Mars,’ 2006(Photo: AP Photo/Denis Poroy)She later played Eleanor in "The Good Place," a role that worked against the rules of the system and against the Good Place itself. Her character evolved from the stereotype of a spoiled, superficial blonde into the fully realized heroine of a philosophical morality tale. Together with brilliant writing and a cast that came close to perfection, she proved that heaven and hell can be remarkably similar.A jumpsuit by The Sei at a special screening of ‘Nobody Wants This,’ 2026(Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Over the past two years, she has landed in Nobody Wants This, Netflix’s formulaic but charming series, where she plays the ultimate shiksa in a feminist version of the familiar fantasy. She breaks free from the Jewish male ideal, surrenders to love (because who could resist Adam Brody reciting the weekly Torah portion), yet refuses to apologize for who she is.Kristen Bell and Adam Brody at a screening of ‘Nobody Wants This’ in New York, 2024(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Netflix)This is the series in which she finally left behind the youthful tomboy look of her earlier characters. The hoodies, leather jackets and abrasive delivery disappeared, making room for a softer, more feminine atmosphere built around knitwear, bohemian skirts and a style that may not be overtly sexy but still takes a brief detour into sensual territory.An Alex Perry suit at a gala, 2025(Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Go Campaign)Off-screen, Bell celebrates her 46th birthday this month. She advocates for LGBTQ rights, speaks openly about her struggles with depression and anxiety, practices meditation and jiu-jitsu, stays as far away as possible from gossip and scandal, and tries to live what passes for a normal life in Hollywood. That includes a relationship of nearly 20 years with actor Dax Shepard and their two daughters.A Rosetta Getty outfit and hat on the red carpet, 2025(Photo: CJ Rivera/Invision/AP)Bell never competed for the coveted title of fashionista. In fact, for many years she carried the youthful, almost careless look of her television characters into real life.A Chanel outfit at the Academy Museum luncheon, 2024(Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)Candid street photographs showed her dressed like someone you might know from a Pilates reformer class. At formal events, she switched to dresses that were attractive and flattering, but also the kind that easily passed beneath the radar. There were no terrible disasters and no exhilarating high points.A jumpsuit on the red carpet, 2023(Photo: Elyse Jankowski/Getty Images)An Oscar de la Renta dress at the Critics Choice Awards, 2025(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)Then, suddenly, over the past two years, Bell appeared to discover the joy of fashion. There was more exposed skin, more confidence and more drama. She has not suddenly become Lady Gaga, but she seems to have realized that fashion can become part of her story without undermining her image as an intelligent actress.An Elie Saab dress at the Critics Choice Awards, 2026(Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)An Armani Privé dress at the Golden Globe Awards, 2026(Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)Her most fashion-forward looks began appearing during promotional tours for "Nobody Wants This": clean silhouettes, bright colors, few logos, tailored suits and a considerable number of daring necklines.A Rosetta Getty outfit at a Netflix event, 2025(Photo: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)A Carolina Herrera jumpsuit at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2025(Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)The high point came on the red carpet at this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, where she appeared in a Georges Hobeika dress that was naked from virtually every angle. It was mostly sheer in front, featured a thong in the back and had a neckline that nearly reached her navel. Somehow, she managed to wear it without the slightest hint of vulgarity.A Georges Hobeika dress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2026(Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)Sheer fabric and plunging cuts from every angle at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2026(Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)Along the way, there was also a gold corset gown by Ashi Studio at the Golden Globe Awards, a narrow white column dress with a square neckline by Carolina Herrera at the Los Angeles premiere of "Nobody Wants This," and another sheer gown, this time by Armani Privé, worn with a black crisscross bra at last year’s Emmy Awards.An Ashi Studio dress at the Golden Globe Awards, 2025(Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)An Armani Privé dress at the Emmy Awards, 2025(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)The back of the dress at the Emmy Awards, 2025(Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Even when Bell wears haute couture at the most elegant ceremonies, there remains something deeply approachable about her. She still looks like someone you would enjoy meeting for coffee or inviting onto a podcast. Perhaps it is because she is not wearing a costume, perhaps because she does not hide behind exaggerated volumes, or perhaps simply because she smiles so often, with broad, toothy smiles. We had almost forgotten how heartening that can be.A Staud outfit at a Los Angeles screening of ‘Nobody Wants This,’ 2024(Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)An Armani Privé dress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2025(Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)A final season, hopefully, of "Nobody Wants This," just before all that sugary Yiddishkeit turns completely sour. And since dreaming is permitted, perhaps a grand, glamorous reunion season in which the entire cast of "Veronica Mars" meets and mingles again in "The Good Place."A relaxed gray outfit at an event for ‘A Man on the Inside,’ 2024(Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)Until recently, the obvious answer was neither. Bell simply was not a woman defined by fashion, for better or worse. But the past two years have changed her personal rules when it comes to public appearances. Now that she no longer needs to prove she is the sharpest person in the room, she can allow herself to enjoy fashion, and the applause that comes with it.A Cong Tri outfit on the red carpet, 2023(Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Breakthrough Prize)
