Happy birthday to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who turn 26 today! It’s no secret that the twins have had a huge effect on the fashion world with their bohemian chic style (that the New York Times dubbed “homeless” style in 2005) and their successful fashion lines, such as StyleMint and Elizabeth and James. In fact, on June 4 the twins won Womenswear Designer of the Year at the 2012 Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards for their couture line, The Row. In November 2011, Mary-Kate and Ashley were named the best dressed sisters by Vogue.
Mary-Kate and Ashley have always had a love-it-or-hate-it style, landing them on both best dressed lists and worst dressed lists over the years. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite (and least favorite) red carpet looks from our favorite twins.
While Ashley looked like a total Hollywood babe at the 2008 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Mary-Kate was voted the worst dressed actress at the event for her mussed up hair and long-sleeved gold gown. You win some, you lose some…
Ashley Olsen looks like a dream in this orange The Row gown at the 2009 CFDA Fashion Awards. We love how the color makes her features stand out so well!
Fans were torn about Mary-Kate’s dress choice at the 2009 Met Costume Institute Gala. Is she a space goddess or just out of her mind? Either way, we admire her confidence in this Christian Lacroix gown!
Mary-Kate traded her signature baggy layers for a form-fitting LBD at the 2009 Independent Spirit Awards. We love the relaxed hairdo with the dress; it’s the perfect balance of textures.
At the 2009 Met Costume Institute Gala, Ashley Olsen showed us yet again why we’re so jealous of her style and confidence. That draped white The Row dress would look like a bed sheet on anyone else but Ashley—well, Mary-Kate could probably work it, too!
Mary-Kate and Ashley are known for rocking their “granny chic” look, but with their briefcases and bulky coats at The Museum of Modern Art’s Second Annual Film Benefit in 2009, they just looked straight up granny.
We weren’t crazy about the twins’ looks at the 2009 premiere of Nine. The bulky fur jacket and pants combo swallows Ashley, and Mary-Kate’s colorful jacket is more circus performer than chic fashionista.
At the 2011 Met Ball, Ashley looked positively regal in her black and white vintage Christian Dior gown, while Mary-Kate, in vintage Givenchy, showed that her famous boho chic style could still rock the red carpet.
Another love-it-or-hate-it moment by the twins. After their red carpet appearance at the Metropolitan Opera’s premiere of Rossini’s Le Comte Ory in March 2011, fans extolled Ashley’s green velvet stole, while others weren’t thrilled with Mary-Kate’s oversized dust ruffle dress.
Mary-Kate wasn’t looking her best at the 2012 Met Ball; while the sleek black dress could’ve been gorgeous, Mary-Kate’s hair and makeup made her look significantly older than her then-25 years.
The twins were sleek showstoppers at The Fresh Air Funds Salute To American Heroes on May 31 of this year. We loved the elegant, clean look with their dresses and makeup.
Wow! We’ve never seen the twins look as elegant as they did at the CFDA awards last week. Their chic ensembles, which are from The Row’s 2013 resort collection, show why they went home with the top honor that day.
Alright, so this isn’t exactly a red carpet look…but we couldn’t resist! How adorable were they in Double, Double, Toil and Trouble? Those were the days.
Happy birthday, Mary-Kate and Ashley! Keep up your amazing style; we can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
What’s your favorite Mary-Kate and Ashley red carpet look? Sound off in the comments below!