Fashion Charlize Theron's Most Memorable Outfits She's mastered every major trend over the past two decades — and then some. By Samantha Sutton Samantha Sutton Instagram Samantha is InStyle's senior fashion editor. She joined the brand in 2019 and oversees the site's fashion coverage, including trend reporting, fashion exclusives, celebrity style interviews, and Fashion Week coverage. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on October 19, 2022 @ 05:59AM Pin Share Tweet Email Trending Videos Photo: Jim Smeal/Getty Images From graphic tees to popcorn shirts, the resurgence of trends from decades past has us feeling nostalgic. We've been thinking about former celebrity couples, old TV shows we loved, and the (sometimes questionable) fashion choices that we've made over the past few years. Perhaps no one knows more about that last bit than Charlize Theron, who, we've realized, mastered every major trend over the past two decades (and slightly beyond). Bubble skirts? She wore 'em. Random mid-section belts? Check. The actress even styled dresses over pants and wore large scarves with tank tops — two combinations that never made much sense, TBH. Remember When Chrissy Teigen Modeled Ed Hardy Bathing Suits? Still, Theron managed to make it all look pretty darn good. Take a trip down memory lane by looking at some of the star's best throwback outfits, as we cross our fingers and hope, for our sake, that some of these pieces never make a comeback. 01 of 37 Camis and Pencil Skirts Sam Levi/WireImage A classic 1997 pairing. It worked for the office, casual outings, and, in Theron's case, the red carpet. 02 of 37 Metallic Dresses Jim Smeal/Getty Images It's true: the actress has been loving metallic designs since 1998. And this one's got a lovely velvet texture to it. 03 of 37 Feather Tops Ke.Mazur/WireImage We're honestly ready for this not-so-little detail to make a comeback. it added a bit of flair to Theron's 1998 look. 04 of 37 Matching Shawls Sam Levi/WireImage When finding the perfect layer to go with your dress was easy — and included in your purchase. Theron wore this ensemble to the 2000 SAG Awards. 26 Questionable '00s Trends That Have Unfortunately Returned 05 of 37 Crocheted Scarves Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc Styled with a cami and a printed satin bag, of course. 06 of 37 Matching Scarves James Devaney/WireImage Like a matching shawl, but slightly different. It's also worth noting that Theron seemed to be a fan of spaghetti straps in the year 2000. 07 of 37 Mesh Tops Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc Worn over a white tank top with a thin, studded belt (for some extra edge). 08 of 37 Front-Tie Sweaters SGranitz/WireImage And knee-length leather skirts! We can't forget about Theron's kitten heels, either, which completed this 2001 ensemble. The Controversial Shoe Trend Everyone Dreads Won't Be Going Away Anytime Soon 09 of 37 Graphic T-Shirts Gregg DeGuire/WireImage These tops always promoted something random like a fake team, a fake band, or, in this case, cheetahs. 10 of 37 Going-Out Tops Jim Smeal/Getty Images 2002's version of a semi-fancy, super sexy look, especially when styled with low-rise jeans and heels. We Can't Let Low-Rise Pants Come Back 11 of 37 Ruched Dresses Tony Barson/WireImage These babies were always embellished with some sort of pin to pull it all together. Example: the silver star on Theron's dress, which she wore to a 2004 photo call for the movie Monster. 12 of 37 Micro Minis Kevin Winter/Getty Images Which Theron wore with a modest black turtleneck because, balance. 13 of 37 Satin Skirts Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images Theron's 2004 version fell just below the knee. 14 of 37 Jewel Tones Tony Barson/WireImage And, let's not forget the gold bangle bracelets that were added to this look. 15 of 37 Belting Everything Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic The actress proved to be a fan of 2005's mid-section belt trend, wearing one to Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week that year. 16 of 37 Fancy Flats Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images A red carpet fashion staple back in 2005. 17 of 37 Button-Up Vests Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage We really hope Theron held onto the striped vest that she wore to TRL — this aughts staple recently resurfaced. All the Vests On 'Sister, Sister' Were Outrageously Good 18 of 37 Shorts Suits Kristian Dowling/Getty Images The star spiced up her gray set with strappy metallic heels while attending the Melbourne premiere of North Country. 19 of 37 Round-Toe Heels Peter Carrette Archive/Getty Images In a sand-like color, no less. Bringing us back to 2006! 20 of 37 Oversized Purses Jun Sato/WireImage Sure, Theron was technically at the airport here, but big bags were all the rage back then. 21 of 37 Pencil Skirts Junko Kimura/Getty Images This work staple became slightly sexier when the star added a sheer, off-the-shoulder top and drop earrings. 22 of 37 Peek-a-Boo Shoulders Junko Kimura/Getty Images And, whoa — check out that statement-making pendant necklace, too! 23 of 37 Printed Maxi Dresses Daniele Venturelli/WireImage The thick black band signals that this dress is from 2007. Theron wore it to the Venice Film Festival that year. Ditch The Minis For These 12 Comfy, Flowy Maxi Dresses 24 of 37 Bubble Dress George Pimentel/WireImage One of the more questionable trends from the '00s, but Theron pulls off the bubble silhouette rather well. Jellyfishing seems to be its modern-day rendition. 25 of 37 Slouchy Beanies and Booties Rob Loud/Getty Images Clearly, this star was onto something at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. While designs have changed a bit, these pieces have since become winter wardrobe staples. 26 of 37 Dresses Over Pants Gail Oskin/WireImage It's the best of both worlds, made complete with another mid-section belt! Don't Blame Katie Holmes — the '00s Dress-Over-Pants Trend Has Been Bubbling Back Up For Years 27 of 37 Ballet Flats OutOfSightMedia - David Aguilera A casual outfit in 2009: a newsboy cap, long-sleeved tee (with lacy details), jeans, and ballet flats. The 8 Best Ballet Flats of 2023 That Are Chic, Comfortable, and Far From Basic 28 of 37 Vest Over T-shirts Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images Also, take a look at Theron's 2009 gladiator sandals. We're having flashbacks! 29 of 37 Strong Shoulders Toby Canham/Getty Images Sure, Lady Gaga helped pioneer this 2009 trend, but Theron was definitely on board. 30 of 37 Gray Skinny Jeans Gustavo Munoz/Getty Images The actress strayed from typical blue and black denim in 2010, when she stepped out in a groutfit. 31 of 37 Scarves Worn With T-Shirts Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Did we actually need a scarf? No. Did we all wear them anyway? Yep! 32 of 37 Fedoras Noel Vasquez/Getty Images This hat style may be timeless, but it became a bit more popular in 2012, along with wearing a black blazer with everything. 14 Blazer Outfit Ideas That Will Have You Saying 'Ok, Wait — I'm Wearing That Tomorrow' 33 of 37 Metallic Sandals JB Lacroix Which wrapped around the ankles and included a big buckle. Summer 2015 in a nutshell. 34 of 37 Denim Shirts NBC It's not necessarily the shirt that's a throwback. It's how it's untucked and layered over a white mini skirt. 35 of 37 Fringed Leather Skirts Anthony Harvey We'd be lying if we said we didn't immediately run to H&M and buy an affordable option of this trend back in 2015. 2016's Fringe Fashion Trend Has Returned 36 of 37 Victorian Bow Tops NurPhoto/Getty Images Theron nailed 2017's Victorian-inspired trend when she stepped out to promote Fast & Furious 8 in Madrid. Victorian Era-Inspired Momfluencers Are Taking Over Instagram 37 of 37 Colorful Suits Gregg DeGuire Plus, big, boxy styles ruled 2019.