Sequins! Corsets! Cutouts! Kerry Washington doesn’t only slay the big and small screens — but she brings heat to the red carpet too.
Known for her role on ABC’s hit drama Scandal, her fab fashion sense has needed no help over the course of her decades-long career. The award-winning actress played one of the chicest women to ever grace television: Olivia Pope. Her TV wardrobe redefined boss-lady style as she dressed up with luxe, polished neutrals that inspired a generation of women to reimagine their workwear. It comes as no surprise that Washington’s fashion is just as fierce and trendsetting IRL, too.
When she launched her Scandal-inspired collection with The Limited back in 2014, the actress shared that she enjoys working with different designers to create a variety of looks for different occasions.
“Personally, I have tons of favorite designers. I don’t gravitate toward any one designer because I think of fashion as the costume of the everyday woman,” she told WWD in June 2014. “The Armani house was one of the first ones to dress me. Jason Wu is a dear friend of mine, as is Tory Burch. I am a big fan of Alexander Wang.”
Washington’s style consists of everything from shimmering gowns and colorful frocks to sweet minis and whimsical midis. The perennial best dressed-list favorite regularly plays with proportion and pattern and ensures she has an equally on-point hair and makeup look to match.
One of her most talked about looks was the Tory Burch getup she sported to the 2022 Met Gala. The School for Good and Evil star’s black sheer gown included a strappy bodice, elegant train, matching gloves and thigh-high slit. The brunette beauty added sparkle to the ensemble with a breathtaking diamond choker and stud earrings.
For glam, Washington rocked nude eyeshadow shades, long lashes and glossy lips. Her locks were styled in a middle part and slicked back updo.
The Save the Last Dance actress also sported a Tory Burch number to the 2019 Met Gala. The peachy ensemble featured a poofy ruffled skirt with “negativity is noise” written across it. She added a tucked-in white tank to the look and wore pink eyeshadow and lips. Her hair was cut in short bangs and she added even more drama with a beaded headpiece laying on top of her strands.
Keep scrolling to take a trip down memory lane and see Washington’s best looks:
