Fashion

See the Fanning Sisters' Style Evolution in 18 Photos

See how the Fanning sisters' style evolution has embodied a special assortment of fashions and trends since the turn of the century.

Fanning sisters in 2016
Getty Images.

The same way it can be fun to see your friends' baby pictures or young photos from when you didn't know them, the same can hold true for celebrity favorites. It's even easier to do so when they've been in the spotlight for much of their lives, which holds true for actor sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning.

The two have been delivering their mix of moving, cult-classic, and comedy-tinged performances for decades. (Think Uptown Girls (2003) or My Neighbor Totoro (2005), both of which have stood the test of time.) This means the Fanning sisters' archival photos offer plenty of an insight into their career over the years as well as each's style evolution.

With their long careers have come plenty of fashion moments worth circling back to, as they have made plenty of public appearances since they first emerged as little girls in Peter Pan collars and patched overalls. Elle, who is 26 years old, often wears things that are more traditionally feminine and "girly." Dakota, who is 30 years old, has been known to dress slightly on the edgier side. Since have been in the spotlight for so long, their style throughout the years demonstrates the trends that have come, gone, or come back throughout the 2000s. From safety pin Saint Laurent clutches to floral Loewe frocks, the Fanning sisters have always impressed when it comes to their style choices.

Neither of the Fanning sisters' careers have slowed down, with Elle recently starring in the late 2024 Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, and Dakota starring in the summer 2024 horror film, The Watchers. Click through the gallery below to explore the most memorable fashion moments that the Fanning sisters shared, and watch their sense of style evolve over the years.

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Sporting matching blonde bobs, Elle and Dakota attend the 20th Anniversary Premiere of "E.T" in 2002. Getty Images.
Dressed as Little Bo Peep and Alice and Wonderland, the sisters attend The 9th Annual "Dream Halloween Los Angeles" Benefits The Children Affected By AIDS Foundation in 2002. Getty Images.
Elle and Dakota dress down in denim at "The Santa Clause 2" Premiere in 2002. Getty Images.
The sisters showcase big smiles at the 2003 "Uptown Girls" Premiere. Getty Images.
The sisters step out in quite y2k getups at the "Cat in the Hat" Premiere in 2003. Getty Images.
The bobs have grown out as the sisters attend "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on Broadway in 2005. Getty Images.
At the 2007 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, the duo sported statement necklaces. Dakota also notably wore a trendy peep-toe wedge on the orange carpet. Getty Images.
At the The Optimist Youth Homes And Family Services Gala in 2008, the sisters opted for a darker color palette, as Elle sported a pair of glasses. Getty Images.
Now in their teens, Dakota and Elle attend the 2011 Met Gala dressed in Valentino. Getty Images.
At the Spring 2012 Rodarte show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in 2011, the sisters brought fresh-faced, boho looks to the show. Getty Images.
The sisters looked like rock and rollers while attending Saint Laurent's Fall 2016 show at the Palladium in Los Angeles. Getty Images.
Sequins were the focal point of both Dakota and Elle's looks at the "The Neon Demon" Los Angeles Premiere in 2016. Getty Images.
The sisters were true 2018 Miu Miu girls at the Miu Miu Women's Tales #15 Screening. Getty Images.
Both Elle and Dakota embraced a glamorous 70s vibe at the The Hollywood Reporter And Jimmy Choo Power Stylists Dinner in 2018. Getty Images.
The duo attended the 2019 Special Screening Of Bleecker Street's "Teen Spirit" in contrasting looks. Getty Images.
Dakota wears Loewe's Spring/Summer 2023 collection and Elle sports a trendy waiscoat set at The Hollywood Reporter And Jimmy Choo Power Stylists Dinner in 2023. Getty Images.
Both Dakota and Elle wear sleek, all black looks at the Broadway Opening Night of "Appropriate" in 2023.
The sisters most recently attended the 2025 Golden Globes with Elle dressed in a Balmain gown with cheetah print accents and Dakota dressing in a red, flowing Dolce & Gabanna gown. Getty Images.

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