At 86, Jane Fonda Is the Ultimate Effortless Style Icon
Whether or not she wants to admit it, Jane Fonda has always been a style icon (She once remarked that she considers the mere notion to be “a hoot”). The actor, who turns 86 on December 21, has decades of sartorial influence under her belt, going back to her 1968 film Barbarella, which is still inspiring collections to this day. But even off screen, Fonda’s style choices have made a mark, and her gravitation toward sparkle and embellishment has not ceased in the many decades she’s been in the spotlight. Though these days, it’s more likely to see Fonda in a classic suit than a gown (“I’m best when I’m wearing something structured, with no frills or bows,” she told W in 2015), she still likes to mix it up, and even her most tailored looks often include a bit of shine. Plus, there’s the fact that about five years ago, the eco-warrior pledged to never purchase new clothes again, making her continuing style influence all the more impressive. In celebration of Fonda’s latest milestone, take a look back at some of her most memorable looks over the years.
The actress wore a look by AMI Paris to the Cannes closing ceremony, topping black trousers with a sequin-covered top featuring an asymmetric train.
Fonda loves sequins, so it’s no surprise she wore them in the form of a black blazer to the premiere of the second Book Club film.
The actress went all in on purple with a Max Mara suit for the premiere of 80 for Brady.
Fonda accepted the Cecil B. Demille award at the 2021 Golden Globes in an ivory suit that recalled the all-white ensembles of suffragettes. Twenty-five years earlier, Fonda wore this suit for the first time, at the Shape Magazine Awards in 1996.
True to her environmental word, Fonda attended the 2020 Academy Awards in the same red beaded Elie Saab fall 2013 couture gown she wore to the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
Fonda pulled out yet another monochrome suit for the premiere of season six of her Netflix show, Grace and Frankie.
It’s the gorgeous texture and bright red color of this Valentino pre-fall 2019 dress that really makes it an out-of-the-park look.
Fonda stole the show at the Cannes Film Festival’s BlacKkKlansman premiere in an ethereal beaded Valentino spring 2018 couture dress and matching cape.
The unexpected pink and red color combo of this Brandon Maxwell suit made an already intriguing look that much more exciting.
Fonda wore a modern, white Balmain gown with a structured neckline to the Oscars in 2018.
The actress took a bit of a risk for the premiere of her film Our Souls at Night, wearing a completely sheer Dior fall 2017 couture skirt and blouse.
Showing off a different hairstyle from her usual cropped look, Fonda attended the 2017 Emmy Awards in a bright pink Brandon Maxwell spring 2018 dress with a boat neckline and open back.
Fonda went in a more romantic direction for the 2017 Venice Film Festival, attending the premiere of her film in a tulle Marchesa pre-fall 2017 gown covered in floral appliqués.
The actress posed with her costar Lily Tomlin in a turquoise Elie Saab pre-fall 2017 blouse and pants at the premiere of season three of their Netflix show.
There was actually an important reason why Fonda wore this white Saint Laurent dress to the Golden Globes in 2016. The ruffled topper helped to cover up the bandages from the actress’ recent mastectomy.
Fonda paired her romantic Valentino resort 2016 dress with an almost barbed wire-like headpiece.
The actress really embraced the theatrics of the Cannes Film Festival in 2015, wearing a black Schiaparelli couture dress with a hot pink attached train and bustle to the premiere of her film, Youth.
Fonda has never been afraid of a sheer look, and in 2015, she proved that when she attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party in a see-through Zuhair Murad spring 2015 jumpsuit.
Fonda’s straight-from-the-runway—it was even sample-size—emerald green Balmain pre-fall 2015 jumpsuit at the 2015 Grammy Awards got the ultimate seal of approval: “Ohmigod! I want to be you when I grow up!,” Rihanna told her backstage.
The actress once again brought out a sparkly look—a Nicholas Oakwell fall 2012 couture gown—this time for the Vanity Fair Oscar party.
The abstract print of Fonda’s Reem Acra gown was balanced out by its simple silhouette.
Fonda was unmissable in a bright yellow Atelier Versace dress at the 2013 Oscars.
A sequin and fur-covered Fonda gave the young-ins stunting on the red carpet a run for their money at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival.
Fonda spiced up a more casual look with a gold leather jacket.
Returning to her tried-and-true sequins, Fonda attended the Cannes Film Festival in a shimmering burgundy Roberto Cavalli dress.
At the premiere of De Rouille et D'os, meanwhile, Fonda opted for a simpler look, wearing a black and white Stella McCartney gown.
Fonda attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party in a golden dress with her then-partner, record producer Richard Perry.
The actress looked gorgeous in a Roberto Cavalli dress with a blown-up, sequin-covered cheetah print pattern.
Just a few months after Fonda wore this dark blue, off-the-shoulder dress to the Vanity Fair Oscar party, she brought it back out at the Cannes Film Festival for the Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides premiere.
Fonda embraced a bit of her Barbarella past in this sci-fi-inspired George Hobeika dress at the 2011 Golden Globes.
It seems that Fonda’s go-to, more casual red carpet look is a black sequin-covered jacket balanced out by more simple trousers.
While Fonda doesn’t usually opt for strapless dresses, she mixed things up at the Cannes closing ceremony in 2007, stepping out in this fun, striped dress with a black bow detail.
Fonda opted for a slightly more bohemian look for the premiere of her film, Monster-In-Law, attending the red carpet in a patterned dress and cropped patterned jacket.
Easing back into the spotlight after a nearly 10-year hiatus from acting, Fonda played it safe with a black dress at the 2004 Golden Globe Awards, which she attended alongside her son, Troy Garity.
Fonda partied after the Oscars in a shimmery Vera Wang ballgown edged up a bit with a pair of fingerless gray gloves.
Though her then-husband, Ted Turner, wore a tux to the 1998 SAG Awards, Fonda went a bit more casual, opting for a black velvet suit with a patterned black and white top.
Fonda stood out among her black and white-clad dates (Turner and Garity) in a yellow, beaded Versace dress.
One of Fonda’s most impressive rewears comes in the form of this silk dress and matching bolero, which the actress originally wore in her 1981 film, Rollover.
Fonda stepped out of the box for the Oscars in 1995, attending the even with Turner in a black and white, checkerboard print ballgown and black satin jacket.
Clearly, Fonda used to love a good pair of opera gloves, as she wore them once again with this double-breasted white dress when she attended the Oscars in 1993 with Turner.
Fonda’s love affair with sparkle is nothing new, as evidenced by this gorgeous, halter neck dress the actress wore to the 1992 Emmys.
The actress sparkled in a blue dress featuring a completely embellished bustier bodice, which she showed off while posing with screenwriter Tom Schulman who won Best Screenplay that year for Dead Poet’s Society.
Fonda topped a one-shoulder, draped dress with an embellished leather jacket for the premiere of her film, Agnes of God.
When Fonda took home the Emmy for her role in The Dollmaker, she did so in a suit with a black sequin vest and some very ’80s hair.
Fonda accepted the Best Actor award on behalf of her father in a black and gold off-the-shoulder ball gown with a brown skirt.
The actress joined her costars Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin in a black sequin dress for the premiere of their hit film.
In a move that pretty much embodies her whole persona, the activist added a touch of Hollywood glamour to her “Raises Not Roses” t-shirt by accessorizing with a silk scarf when urging female office workers to organize
Fonda accepted the award for Best Actress for her role in Coming Home while wearing a floral lilac James Reva dress with fluted sleeves.
Fonda added a feminine edge to one of her more masculine looks at the 1979 Golden Globe Awards by accessorizing with some bold jewels.
Has anyone ever looked as chic leaving the hospital after giving birth as Fonda did with her newborn daughter, Vanessa?
Jane Fonda attended the premiere of her film in a black Georges Kaplan mink coat with her then husband, Roger Vadim, on her arm.
This article was originally published on