Mariska Hargitay Has Worn Some Outfits That Totally Missed The Mark

Mariska Hargitay is a superstar with a refreshing take on fashion. While many women feel they should dial down the spicy ensembles as they age, she does the opposite. "As I get older, I take more risks, and I think the biggest thing is, 'How do I feel in this?'" she told The Cut. But as much thought as the "Law & Order: SVU" star still puts into her outfits, that doesn't mean each one has hit the bullseye.

The actor proved she was still experimenting in March 2025 when she shared photos on Instagram showing her walking the streets with her former "SVU" co-star Christopher Meloni. The two walked arm in arm as Hargitay wore an open denim jacket over a graphic, white T-shirt. But we barely noticed her top half, because her pants were so distracting. Her distressed beige bottoms looked dirty, while the extra material coming from the cuffs felt under-executed. Though we appreciated the A-lister trying something different instead of a safe pair of jeans, fitted polished chinos would have been a better fit for her style, which is usually more sophisticated and refined.

That's not the only time we've noticed an off look from Hargitay, though. Because she's been in the spotlight for decades, trends and tastes have changed a lot, and that's forced her to join the ranks of stars like Reese Witherspoon, whose career longevity has resulted in a few outfits missing the mark.

Though we understand why Mariska Hargitay dressed like she was heading to the office when she attended New York Fashion Week in 2008, due to the power dressing-workwear trend reigning supreme, the execution of her ensemble was off. Her corporate bottoms were wrinkled, and so long that we couldn't even see if she was wearing one of the shoe choices that best suit wide-legged pants. 

Equally, her belted, oversized-collar shacket didn't work with her three-quarter sleeve cream top. The plain shirt felt too casual for a fashion show and the mix of grays and cream were too bland for an event that's all about pushing the boundaries.

At New York Fashion Week in 2015, Mariska Hargitay attended the Lela Rose fashion show in an unflattering and confusing dress. It featured a black zig-zag pattern on a sheer top over a gray bodice, with white and silver fringe at the bottom that seemed to merge into a completely different dress.

The texture and patterns added bulk around her hips and overwhelmed her figure while lacking cohesiveness. With a trendy black sandal, the 'fit may still have looked modern and flirty, but by pairing it with opaque black hosiery and matching shoes, Hargitay made it look frumpy.

For the All Star Roast of Fisher Stevens in 2005, Mariska Hargitay took another fashion risk that didn't pay off. Her kimono-style dress featured muted paisley print – a then-outdated trend that returned with a vengeance in 2025 – alongside a bold floral print trim across the edges and around her waist. 

Not only did the patterns clash, but she made the look more confused by wearing hoop earrings and calf-high, nude, tight-fitting, pointed-toe boots. The dress, accessories, and footwear seemed made for totally different events and seasons (it was spring) and the outfit went against the refined, well-thought-out style we're used to seeing from her.

Clearly, 2005 wasn't the best year for Mariska Hargitay's wardrobe — especially her boot looks. She made another questionable outfit choice at the Fashion Rocks event in September, in a gaping satin boho-style dress over a black top with a string of embellishments. 

We appreciated her taking a risk for a fashion event and trying something edgier, but the two garments had totally different aesthetics and looked odd together. Though she attempted to tie them together via her pointed-toe, black calf-high boots, the patent shoes only made the look feel even more mismatched, as they were more winter appropriate, while the light dress was geared toward summer.

Mariska Hargitay walked the red carpet at the 2011 Can-Do Awards Dinner in an extremely busy knee-length dress that, unfortunately, didn't flatter her figure. The strong black lines, combination of patterns, and shape just didn't highlight her enviable curves. 

Equally, the baggy sleeves (which featured two totally different materials) looked too short. Considering the fact that this was just a few months after the star floored us in a gorgeous, strapless, cobalt blue gown at the SAG Awards, our expectations were high — and this drab look felt like a step back down the fashionista ladder.