Style Evolution: Jeanette Aw

Jeanette Aw, who turns 42 today (June 28), first caught our eye when she joined a TV talent search programme in 2000 and boy has she come a long way in the past two decades, both career- and fashion-wise. Here’s a look back at her style evolution — onscreen and offscreen — through the years.

Let’s take a look back at where it all started. Oh, Jeanette, how far you’ve come from your early days in showbiz.

Jeanette’s look here gives us major flashbacks to when we were young, impressionable, and convinced that our overpriced Ralph Lauren polo tees were a timeless investment.

25-year-old Jeanette looked like she was pushing 40 thanks to her excessive makeup and choppy hair. She’s since remedied the problem, looking far younger than her 42 years.

Photo: J-Code

It’s kind of comforting to know that we weren’t the only ones who thought it was acceptable to wear a camisole as a top. (And check out those roots! Current Jeanette would never.)

Whether inflicted by a pair of tongs or by a bolt of lightning, Jeanette’s overly crimped Rainbow Connection hair looks rather comical in retrospect.

Leopard preenz, furry arm sleeves, blinding choker and faux collar … did Jeanette wear this on a dare?

Jeanette’s wispy layers and chunky highlights were the envy of all teenage girls in the mid-2000s.

What was with our belt obsession in the mid-2000s? Clearly, Jeanette wasn’t immune to the craze, given the awkward and unnecessary placement of a belt around her ribcage.

Hey Jeanette, the ‘90s called and they want their babydoll dress back.

Jeanette rocked office chic at the Breakout press conference in 2010.

It’s amazing how Jeanette’s current eyebrows make her look a lot younger than she did in 2010.

Let this look serve a reminder to all about what happens when you spend so much time on your hair and makeup that you forget to iron your dress.

Was Jeanette inspired by the Little House on the Prairie?

The otherwise demure Jeanette flashed her enviously flat stomach (are those abs?) at a Gucci event in 2010. (On a side note, good riddance to the nude lips fad — poor Jeanette looks like she’s fighting the flu here.)

Jeanette made a bold fashion statement when she skipped her usual feminine gowns for this sexy tux-inspired two-piece.

Well, ain’t this a far cry from Jeanette’s wispy hairstyles of yore. We can only wish we had enough hair to replicate her lustrous braid.

Ugh, the top half of this shapeless gown looks like a pearl hair net.

While it’s pretty amazing how Jeanette managed to look 33-going-on-18 in this photo, thanks to her pulled-back hair and ruffled bubble dress, we prefer her more mature, refined style as of late.

Blush was Jeanette’s go-to colour for the 2013 Star Awards when she rocked it in two very feminine but different gowns.

Jeanette revealed more than she bargained for when she suffered a wardrobe malfunction on stage. Bet she wished those flowers were around her hip and not her chest.

Jeanette oozes just the right amount of sexy with the chic crop leather top. Who knew she had a naval piercing?

Jeanette’s simple, sportswear-inspired dress was the perfect choice for this football-themed drama.

This adorable Alice & Olivia getup is exactly what we’d imagine a children’s book author wearing at her book signing.

Photo: J-Code

Alice & Olivia and Jeanette are clearly a match made in fashion heaven.

Orange can be a tricky colour to pull off but the slightly bronzed up Jeanette looks amazing in this gown.

There’s no denying that Jeanette is stunning in this embellished shift dress but the pom pom heels are our favourite part of the look.

Jeanette's delicate Valentino gown looks like it came straight out a fairytale.

Jeanette won both the fashion and the acting game at the 2016 Star Awards, since she looked flawless as usual in an Alexander McQueen dress and half a million dollars worth of Cartier jewellery.

This is proof that wearing all black doesn't have to be drab. This Dsquared number with the one-shoulder neckline and thigh-high slit looks va va voom and classy on the actress.

Jeanette's modest Maison Valentino gown looked like it came straight off the set of a period drama.

The black rosette adds a magic touch to Jamie's otherwise boring gown. Her matching watch is the icing on the cake.

Jeanette's spaghetti strap corset neckline is wonderfully reminiscent of the late 90s, in the best way possible.

Our faces looked exactly like Mark Lee's when we spotted Jeanette in her imperial Louis Vuitton jacket and platform shoes.

Not one to shy from loud prints, Jeanette wore a dress that was more action-packed than a comic book movie at a Burberry event in Marina Bay Sands.

Jeanette looked flawless as usual when she attended the Paris premiere of her film Ramen Teh in a ruffly Toni Maticevski dress. Check out the detail on that frock!

Photo: Jeanette Aw

Jeanette never disappoints when it comes to making a style statement. Judging from the high-waisted baggy pants she wore to the press conference of Till We Meet Again, wide-leg trousers aren’t going anywhere.

It took 45 minutes and countless layers before Jeanette emerged looking effortless in her kimono. Well, we think it’s worth it cos she looks pretty and demure like a Japanese lass.

Lounging on the daybed, Jeanette oozed glamour and class in this extravagant Dior outfit. Our favourite part? That full toile print skirt.

Jeanette debuted her super chic sci-fi bob just days before ringing in the big 4-0 and we're obsessed with it. She doesn't look a day over 20 in this chic cut.

This is the perfect example of letting the clothes wear you.

Love the look, but not a fan of the turtleneck, which looks like those foam nets used to protect fruit.

Jeanette looked all ready to kick butt in this white vest pant suit from Klarra, but we think the scene stealer here are her gold sneakers which took her look from chic to sassy.

And for her birthday in 2020, Jeanette decided to change up her look with a lighter hair colour. We like how futuristic she looks with the ash green hue.

Jeanette looked ravishing and ready for a date in this Dior getup.

We were gonna give this look an A+ until we saw those boots. Kinda remind us of a walking cast.

This is one of the chicest chef's uniform we've ever seen. And we wouldn't expect any less from the fashionista-cum-girlboss of patisserie Once Upon A Time.

Photo: Once Upon A Time

Sophisticated on top, salah on the bottom. Those jeans look like they've been mauled by a bear.

Jeanette looked every inch the (very glamorous) #girlboss in this embellished blazer mini.

This chic tie-dye jumpsuit, which Jeanette donned for her 8days.sg photoshoot at her patisserie Once Upon A Time, gives us '90s vibes.