Joanna Gaines Swaps Her Jeans For A Head-Turning Red Dress For Magnolia's Winter Cover
When it comes to personal style, television personality Joanna Gaines is best known for her relaxed, approachable wardrobe. The "Fixer-Upper" star loves rocking comfortable jeans and some Birkenstock clogs, but when the moment calls for it, she knows how to dial up the glam, as evidenced by her winter 2026 cover of Magnolia magazine. For the shoot, she wore a floor-length red gown that featured subtle bead embellishments and a striking ruched bodice.
Fans were floored by the stunning look and made sure to let Gaines know. "Oh my goodness you are a VISION," wrote one Instagram user. And considering that Gaines built a reputation on tasteful and trendy homes and interiors, many weren't surprised that she had serious fashion chops. "Joanna Gaines ladies and gentlemen," wrote another fan. "Queen of all things beauty and design."
It's easy to see why the look gained so much attention. For one, the bright red gown perfectly complemented her autumn coloring and dark hair. That said, it also feels like a particularly bold statement, considering Gaines once revealed that she hates wearing bright colors. "Typically I like wearing black, white, denim, and every now and then khaki," she revealed in a video on her blog (via Country Living). "Red is a stretch." She said this after appearing on the summer 2019 cover of Magnolia in a loose crimson dress. "That's the only time you'll ever see me in a red dress, people," she stated at the time.
Joanna Gaines' style evolution seems to coincide with her changing approach to design
The scarlet dress that Joanna Gaines wore on the cover of the winter 2026 Magnolia issue signaled a style evolution for a woman who once declared she would never wear bold shades. Of course, red is among the colors you'll be seeing in everyone's wardrobe for fall 2026. Still, it might be part of a larger shift for Gaines' taste, especially when it comes to the holidays. "The older I get, the more free I feel to deck the halls," Gaines told USA Today. "I do think this is the one time of year where you can really go big if you want to."
If the HGTV star embraces a more over-the-top approach to holiday decorating, then it makes sense she might be willing to experiment with her holiday wardrobe as well. After all, her cherry red dress is fabulously festive, and perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. Plus, there's another sweet reason Gaines might have changed her stance on this flirty color. "Chip loves seeing me in a red dress, that's always been his dream," she shared. It's normal for people's personal style to change with time and, clearly, the gorgeous transformation of Gaines is still ongoing.