Kelly Clarkson's Denim Disaster Outfit Didn't Do Her Any Favors

Kelly Clarkson stole our hearts when she won the first season of "American Idol" in 2002, and after a storied music career, she continues to win us over as the host of "The Kelly Clarkson Show." And when you care about someone, it is only right that you not allow them to leave the house looking crazy. 

Unfortunately, it is too late for one of Clarkson's looks, but we would be remiss if we did not tell her to never wear it ever again. It was during the 2022 Country Music Awards that Clarkson, or her stylist, thought it was a good idea for the star to wear a dark wash Alexander McQueen asymmetrical denim dress. The garment featured yellow stitching, breast pockets, a wide collar, and a flared out skirt with lots of silver buttons. Standing next to her peers who embraced the denim look in medium blue hues, Clarkson's outfit looked dour and harsh. But what really caught our attention was that she attempted to bring back the infamous double belt look that most Millennials will recall from the early 2010s. Unfortunately, the accessory did nothing to make the outfit look flattering, and the fact that the color was only a few shades darker than the denim fabric made it seem like Clarkson wanted it to go undetected.

Fans were also not impressed by the denim look, taking to Clarkson's Instagram comment section to express their thoughts. One person wrote, "I see a lot of people agree with me, Kelly dresses way to dowdy for a young person." Another added, "ugly dress, she always wears the most unflattering dresses...love her voice, but her wardrobe needs work." Still, some people came to Clarkson's defense in the comments, but the dress, especially paired with those black leggings, were not it.

Kelly Clarkson may have struck out with the dress she wore to the 2022 Country Music Awards, but she did not give up on her love for denim, and you know what, we are not mad. The "Miss Independent" singer has elevated her style choices since that fateful denim look, and one of our favorites comes from a photo taken of her outside of Tom's Restaurant in New York City in September 2024. 

Clarkson was all smiles as she sported a light-wash denim blue jumpsuit that gave her a soft and fresh look, complementing her skin tone while giving off a relaxed, approachable vibe. The pale blue color brought out the warmth in her blond hair. This color is considered one of the trendiest denim shades for 2025, which means Clarkson was ahead of the curve with this look. The jumpsuit also fits her really well, as it's structured at the waist, defining her shape nicely without being tight. The wide-leg cut is super flattering too, balancing her figure and creating a breezy, confident look. 

The short sleeves and button-up style make the outfit feel casual enough for a day out, but the design details, like the seam lines and pockets, give it enough polish to feel stylish and intentional. Clarkson also kept it simple with white sneakers, perfect for a casual city vibe! So overall, this outfit did a better job at showing off her fun personality, while still looking put together, than that denim dress ever did. And we hope it gets stored far-far away.