Kristen Stewart's Red Carpet Evolution Proves She's a Total Fashion Girl

From tough tomboy to punk-rock princess to freshly minted glamour girl, Kristen Stewart's style has been a hot topic among advocates, adversaries, and ambivalent audiences for over a decade. While the leading lady has made a few questionable choices — who hasn't? — we applaud her ability to blend her signature no-fuss style with high-fashion haute couture.

Kristen's social calendar is jam-packed with exclusive events, but having Balenciaga, Chanel, and Zuhair Murad, just to name a few, on speed dial gives Stewart free rein to select the most heart-stopping creations, ensuring her turn on the red carpet never wavers.

In honor of Kristen's 26th birthday we're taking a look back at the ravishing red carpet moments that have earned Stewart style icon status.

— Additional reporting by Brittney Stephens

Getty

During London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010, Stewart made a statement in a metallic silver Burberry miniskirt.

Getty

We couldn't get enough of the embellished gold Elie Saab gown that Stewart wore at the Germany premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 2 in November 2012. She showed off a pair of Christian Louboutin cage heels — and lots of leg — thanks to the gown's thigh-high slit.

Getty

Stewart went ultraglam in Roberto Cavalli for the London premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 1 in November 2011.

Getty

The star exuded a retro-chic vibe in a flirty fringed number for Twilight's Rome International Film Festival premiere in 2008.

Getty

All hail the punk-rock princess. During Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2013/14, our favorite vamp hit a fashion high note, donning a white double-breasted bouclé jacket with black leather hot pants, then accessorizing with a pair of cutout Jean-Michel Cazabat pumps, a slew of brilliant bangles, and knockout fingerless leather gloves.

Getty

Stewart married black and blue in a lace-paneled, fit-and-flare dress for the Madrid photocall of Snow White and the Huntsman in May 2012.

Getty

An ethereal, one-shoulder Herve Leroux gown was the look of choice for the Tokyo premiere of Twilight in February 2009.

Getty

The chain-link trim on Stewart's Azzaro LBD elevated her West Hollywood premiere style in February 2010.

Getty

Stewart hit the red carpet at the 2013 Kids' Choice Awards in March wearing a smart, structured, dark-blue printed shorts set by Osman.

Getty

As modern-day punk royalty, we counted on Stewart to bring her edgy A-game to this year's Met Gala — and the actress didn't disappoint. The brunette beauty stunned in an oxblood lace-inset jumpsuit — complete with coordinating eye shadow and nail polish — studded pumps, and a mirrored box clutch, all by Stella McCartney.

Getty

Stewart stepped up the rock factor, donning a Rock & Republic metal mini with ankle-cuff sandals, at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards.

Getty

For the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Into the Wild, the actress rocked a flirty sheer-detailed dress with matching accessories.

Getty

Stewart's frothy Valentino minidress looked absolutely stunning against her porcelain skin for an NYC screening of New Moon in 2009.

Getty

The vampire vixen attended the 2012 Teen Choice Awards in a casual-slash-dressy style: a decadent satin Roberto Cavalli blazer, sleek black leather pants, and patent leather Christian Louboutin pumps.

Getty

For the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, the actress styled a sassy gold and black Dolce & Gabbana mini with crisscross black sandals for a uniquely glam look.

Getty

Stewart chose a showstopping Oscar de la Renta gown for the LA premiere of New Moon in November 2009.

Getty

While attending the 2010 NYC screening of Welcome to the Rileys, Stewart channeled her inner glamour girl, working a lacy one-shoulder Valentino mini with classic black heels.

Getty

Vampire or not, Stewart sparkled in a dazzling Reem Acra minidress at the 2011 People's Choice Awards.

Getty

For the 2012 Berlin photocall for Snow White and the Huntsman, Stewart displayed her killer curves in a sophisticated printed sheath by Derek Lam and classic black pumps.

Getty

For an award ceremony in December 2012, Stewart chose a lace- and sequin-embellished Talbot Runhof gown and finished it off with classic black pumps and a dainty Cartier bracelet.

Getty

Stewart looked phenomenal in an embroidered Balmain two-piece ensemble and gold Christian Louboutin pumps at the Snow White and the Huntsman Sydney premiere in June 2012.

Getty

Stewart kept it sweet and simple in a lightly embellished Azzaro LBD at the Love Ranch LA premiere in June 2010.

Getty

Stewart dazzled in a decadent Emilio Pucci strapless for the NYC premiere of The Runaways in March 2010.

Getty

The Twilight star chose a sophisticated Prabal Gurung minidress for Eclipse's 2010 premiere in South Korea.

Getty

For the 2008 MTV Music Awards, Stewart slipped into a printed sheath and pointed-toe black pumps.

Getty

The brunette beauty wore a feminine blue lace Stella McCartney mini with matching suede pumps for the Kids' Choice Awards in March 2012.

Getty

Featuring a one-shoulder cut and bubble skirt, Stewart's LBD was anything but ordinary in December 2008.

Getty

Stewart stole the show at the November 2012 premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 2 in a revealing sheer lace Zuhair Murad gown — the strapless, nude-colored dress left little to the imagination and solidified her place as a red carpet vixen.

Getty

Kristen opted for a more playful style, rocking a black jumpsuit, for the 2008 MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, CA.

Getty

Stewart attended the 2012 Cannes Film Festival premiere of On the Road in a printed Balenciaga gown, featuring a sexy thigh-high side slit, and perfectly tousled waves.

Getty

At Twilight's 2008 Madrid premiere, the actress went monochrome in a belted black fit-and-flare and coordinating pumps.

Getty

The actress tested the fashion-forward waters in a sequined J. Mendel gown, complete with a supersexy side slit, for the Hollywood premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 1 in November 2011.

Getty

In 2009, Stewart was all smiles rocking an edgy Paule Ka black leather mini while promoting Twilight in Tokyo — and who wouldn't be when sandwiched between Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson?

Getty

Stewart donned a pale blush Reem Acra gown featuring intricate lace detailing for the 2013 Oscars in February.

Getty

For a Snow White and the Huntsman 2012 press conference in Mexico City, Stewart posed in a menswear-inspired outfit: cropped white shirt by Marios Schwab, Vivienne Westwood gray cropped trousers, and a pop of color via neon Christian Louboutin ankle-strap heels.

Getty

For Twilight's December 2008 Paris photocall, the actress went back to basics in a striped Camilla and Marc strapless.

Getty

Stewart went for a cool leather look for a screening of On the Road in December 2012. She styled up a pair of slick faux-leather H&M pants, a slouchy white tee, and a BCBG Max Azria blazer with red Christian Louboutin heels.

Getty

For a Madrid photocall for Breaking Dawn Part 2, Stewart adorned her body-con Julien Macdonald sheath with an elaborate beaded neckline.

Getty

Kristen rocked the sheer pants trend for the Chanel Couture show in Paris in 2014.

Getty

Stewart took center stage at Spike TV's 2010 Scream Show, rocking a black and white asymmetrical GUiSHEM by Guillermo M. Jop minidress.

Getty

At the September 2012 NYC screening of On the Road, Stewart struck a pose in an open white Balenciaga button-down blouse, revealing a satin charcoal tank, contrast-waist A.L.C. trousers, and strappy Jimmy Choo sandals.

Getty

Stewart wore a vibrant neon yellow Christian Dior mini and ankle-strap heels for the Breaking Dawn Part 2 premiere in Madrid in November 2012.

Getty

Stewart made a serious statement for the May 2012 premiere of Snow White and the Huntsman in London — she wore a gothic-inspired black lace Marchesa gown with a deceptively sheer bodice.

Getty

Paging all Winter wonderland princesses: Stewart looked breathtaking in a white paillette-trim Chanel dress and equally charming satin sandals while out in London in 2010.

Getty

Stewart softened her promotional style, donning a whimsical J. Mendel creation for a New Moon photocall in Paris in November 2009.

Getty

Stewart surprised us by choosing a sweet, ladylike Jason Wu look for a private screening of On the Road in December 2012. She tucked a lace-paneled blouse into a pair of ultrafeminine, high-waisted shorts, then slipped on a pair of pointed Barbara Bui heels.

Getty

A colorblock Versace took center stage for Eclipse's Germany photocall in 2010.

Getty

We love the cobalt and tangerine combo of Stewart's Preen dress in May 2012.

Getty

We love how Stewart took a risk and toed the sexy-meets-high-fashion line in this black and white Balenciaga pairing in November 2012.

Getty

Stewart wore a webbed Yigal Azrouël, tempered with her go-to Converse sneakers, at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards.

Getty

Stewart stunned on The Tonight Show in November 2011, wearing a black and cobalt blue colorblock mini from Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2012 collection.

Getty

For the 2011 MTV Movie Awards, Stewart rocked the tough-girl trend in a blood-red, safety-pin-adorned Balmain mini.

Getty

Owning a satin, floor-length, printed Proenza Schouler gown with lace-up sandals and moody eye makeup, Stewart evoked a vampire glamour unlike anyone before her at the 2011 Met Gala.

Getty

During a 2010 portrait session, Stewart posed in a lace and crystal-embellished minidress resembling stained glass — and we love it!

Getty

Always one to keep us on our toes, Stewart went bold in 2010 working a sheer-inset Doo.Ri selection for the LA premiere of The Runaways.

Getty

In November 2011, Stewart arrived at the Hollywood handprint ceremony in a sheer, shortened Marios Schwab dress and suede Brian Atwood platforms, which she quickly swapped for checkered Vans slip-ons.

Getty

At the LA screening of Snow White and the Huntsman in May 2012, Stewart went for a boy-meets-girl tuxedo look. She sported head-to-toe Stella McCartney pieces, including the designer's faux-leather colorblock pumps.

Getty

Stewart played the peekaboo card, donning a black silk bustier with sheer embellished pants, both by Zuhair Murad, at the designer's 2013 couture show in Paris.

Getty

Stewart took another black lace turn at the UK premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 2 in November 2012, wearing a jazzy sequined jumpsuit by Zuhair Murad.

Getty

At the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, the star rocked a serious pair of printed pants by Balenciaga — teamed with a structured Rebecca Minkoff blazer and pointed pumps.

Getty

A tiered J. Mendel was Stewart's dress of choice for the Rome photocall for Eclipse in 2010.

Getty

Stewart proved preppy in a plaid French Connection minidress and multichain Chanel necklace in Toronto in 2008.

Getty

A moody RM by Roland Mouret mini, featuring three-dimensional add-ons, set tongues wagging for the New York screening of Eclipse in 2010.

Getty

Stewart showed some serious skin at the NYC premiere of On the Road in December 2012, wearing a floral satin blue Erdem crop top and high-waisted shorts combo that she paired with neon Christian Louboutin pumps.

Getty

During Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012, the budding fashionista softened her rock-chic leather pants with a feminine floral blouse, both by Balenciaga.

Getty

Stewart proved her mixed-print mastery in a geometric creation in November 2008.

Getty

In 2008, Stewart chose a chic tweed mini for the Twilight photocall at the Rome International Film Festival.

Getty

Stewart hit the red carpet in a ruched strapless Balmain and suede Giuseppe Zanotti peep-toe pumps for Glamour's Women of the Year Awards in 2011.

Getty

Checkmate! Stewart struck a sultry pose in a checkered Louis Vuitton romper and buckled cage sandals on a 2012 promotional tour of Breaking Dawn Part 2 in Tokyo in October 2012.

Getty

We love the demure hem and ladylike lace of the tea-time-ready creation Stewart chose for the LA premiere of Into the Wild in 2007.

Getty

Stewart worked a charcoal sheath and black pumps for Teen Vogue's Young Hollywood Party in 2008.

Getty

We don't think we've ever seen Kristen look as ladylike as she did here in a full-skirted strapless gown at the Cesar Film Awards in Feb. 2015.

Getty

Stewart brightened up Adventureland's 2009 LA premiere in a vibrant printed Herve Leger.

Getty

For the Rome premiere of Eclipse, the leading lady turned it out in a bountiful, asymmetrical Marchesa creation and satin platform sandals.

Getty

The actress wore a leopard-print Louis Vuitton mini while attending the Marc Jacobs exhibition during Paris Fashion Week back in March 2012.

Getty

The actress opted for a sexy leather minidress by Elizabeth and James while promoting New Moon in Madrid in 2009.

Getty

Stewart looked red hot in a fitted Reem Acra gown with a deep V neckline at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Cosmopolis in late May 2012.

Getty

Stewart brought moody glamour to the 2010 Met Gala in a structured, sheer-overlay Chanel gown.

Getty

Stewart flashed a little color in a red-skirted Balenciaga dress at the Twilight premiere in LA back in November 2008.

Getty

For Chanel's pre-Oscars dinner, Kristen was the picture of sophistication in a black and white look from the label.

Getty

The actress continued her fashion roll in an elegantly edgy A.L.C. wool and leather sheath dress at an On the Road screening in NYC in 2012. Stewart completed her enviable look with a pair of Barbara Bui cutout sandals and a few funky bangles.

Getty

Stewart hit the red carpet for the Met Gala in May 2012 wearing head-to-toe Balenciaga. She arrived on the arm of former designer Nicolas Ghesquière and set tongues wagging with her eclectic ensemble.

Getty

A crystal-encrusted bodice kept Stewart's Emilio Pucci dress from looking too casual for Elle's 2010 Style Awards.

Getty

Stewart let her Monique Lhuillier organza gown do all the talking, opting for minimal accessories, at the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar party in West Hollywood.

Getty

At the Met Gala in 2014, Kristen channeled her signature edgy glamour in a dramatic Chanel number.

Getty

Stewart chose a draping navy gown, with black panel detail, for the 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Getty

This structured and textured Balenciaga selection captured Stewart's edgy-cool effervescence in 2009.

Getty

Stewart wore a crisp white asymmetrical Elie Saab mini for the LA premiere of Eclipse in June 2010.

Getty

The actress traded her minis for a fit-and-flare style at the Hollywood Film Awards in Nov. 2014.

Getty

Stewart went for a formfitting, colorful Guishem mini at the MTV Movie Awards in June 2012.