Hacks Star Jean Smart's Style Game Is Getting Better With Age

Jean Smart is a critically acclaimed American actor who rose to fame in the late 1980s. The actor is known for being a prominent TV figure, having secured lead roles in films and TV series throughout her career. Most recently, Smart took on the role of glamorous comedian Deborah Vance in "Hacks." The actor won her first Primetime Emmy Award in 2000 for her guest role in the comedy series "Frasier." Since then, she's added six more Emmys to her collection, earning four for her performance in "Hacks." Despite garnering attention for her acting skills, Smart has been making headlines in 2026 for her wardrobe.

As mature women maintain their fashionable reputations by keeping up with trends in contemporary society, major fashion brands have even scouted older models to prove age is just a number when it comes to fashion. In 2026, Jacquemus announced its first-ever brand ambassador: the designer's 80-year-old grandmother, Liline. In a world where older women are pressured to dress their age, Smart's fashion choices prove she is confronting aging with confidence. The actor has traded her outdated '80s bouffant for a trendy pixie cut, one of the perfect hairstyles for showing off gray hair. Considering she has also replaced pearl necklaces with hopping on the "balletcore" trend, it seems Smart's style game is only getting better with age.

Like most young women in the 1980s, Jean Smart donned a bouffant and showed up to numerous events wearing the voluminous look. While her hair was considered trendy, the actor's wardrobe could have used an upgrade. In 1987, Smart was pictured wearing a light blue tracksuit and smiling next to fellow legendary actor Annie Potts. The tracksuit combined satin with velour and was a complete contrast to the sportswear that was considered fashionable in the late '80s. As a new fitness boom swept society, celebrities and models started to wear neon workout clothes, including legwarmers, leggings, and sweatbands.

At the "Princess Mononoke" premiere in 1997, Jean Smart showcased her shorter hair. The actor turned up to the event wearing a gray pantsuit and strappy metallic heels. Well into her 40s, she posed on the red carpet in a statement pearl necklace. The strand of pearls hung loosely around her neck, nearly reaching her waist. While oversized power suits were a big hit among fashionistas in the '90s, pearls have long been vintage accessories that are often considered a classic staple associated with older, more mature women.

In 2001, Jean Smart took to the stage at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards after winning Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Lana Gardner in NBC's "Frasier." The actor attended the ceremony clad in a velvet gown. The navy dress featured crystal embellishments and a deep neckline. By layering the velvet number with a lime green lace cape, Smart transformed the outfit into one of her most colorful looks. In a time dominated by velvet Juicy Couture tracksuits, a major trend in the 2000s, Smart proved she was becoming fashion-forward by donning the rich fabric.

Jean Smart was right on trend when she attended the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2006, wearing a dress that looked like it was deliberately crinkled (ruched dresses were all the rage in the early aughts, and bunched fabrics were often used by designers to create sculpting gowns). The actor was glowing as she stepped on to the red carpet wearing a crinkled blue-gray maxi dress and minimal accessories. She finished the shiny look with blue eyeshadow and silver earrings.

What better way to prove fashion has no age limit than by twinning with a 26-year-old in your 70s? In 2021, Jean Smart attended the Women in Film Honors wearing a matching tuxedo with her "Hacks" co-star, Hannah Einbinder. The pair mirrored each other's looks from head to toe, even opting for the same style of shoes. Their twinning look made headlines, and any subtle differences, including Smart's open shirt and gray shoes, went largely unnoticed. Einbinder later revealed on Instagram, "*If you can believe* the matching tuxedoes were Jean's idea!"

In 2025, Jean Smart made headlines for her fashion choices after she arrived at the Tony Awards wearing a black bodycon gown. The dress featured a sash and the actor accessorized with crystal chandelier earrings and a black satin clutch. Smart later took to the stage to present the Best Actor in a Play award with fellow actor Sarah Paulson. Under a photo of Smart at the event posted on X, fans flooded the comments, expressing their admiration. "I'm speechless," one person wrote. "Jean Smart stop it, I cannot cope," another fan added.

Jean Smart made headlines again in 2025 after her appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" showed she had embraced her graying natural hair color. The actor walked out for her interview wearing denim jeans, a white shirt, and smart shoes. While she kept her outfit relatively simple, the minimal look drew attention to her hair, and the media couldn't take its eyes off her new pixie cut. Smart proved she was fashion-forward in her mid-70s, considering longer pixie cuts became increasingly popular in 2026 with Hollywood stars such as Zendaya and Florence Pugh embracing the trend.

In 2026, Jean Smart hopped on the "balletcore" trend when she stepped out in New York City wearing ballet-inspired sneakers. Mary Jane flats have been a major trend in recent years, particularly styles with a strap or buckle. The actor styled her ballet flats with a black floral pantsuit and topped off the look with a glamorous comb-over that was perfectly complemented by a pair of pearl earrings. As a woman in her 70s adopting a trend popular among Gen Z celebrities, Smart once again cemented her fashionable reputation and proved her fashion choices are getting better with age.

At the Golden Globe Awards in 2026, Jean Smart took home her third trophy for her hilarious portrayal of Deborah Vance in HBO's "Hacks." The actor posed in a white Laura Basci gown, featuring balloon sleeves that ended in statement cuffs and crystal embellishments that formed a striking centerpiece. The dress swooped into a deep V-neck and flowed to her ankles, covering her heels. Smart topped off the angelic gown with a metallic clutch, Rahaminov diamond earrings, and a glamorous updo. Smart has been recognized by fashion giants for her style over the years, and it was no different this year.