STYLE EVOLUTION

Even at Age 77, Susan Sarandon’s Style Evolution Knows No Bounds

by Steph Eckardt

Susan Sarandon
Getty Images/Ron Galella

In 2016, Susan Sarandon tweeted a photo of herself, hand posed on her hip, hair blown out, and wearing a t-shirt with the all-caps slogan, “CALL YOUR MOTHER,” which almost diverted attention from how good she looked at 69. Years past (and prior to) that moment, Sarandon has always kept her style a bit cheeky, but always undoubtedly stylish and elegant. Ever since the New York-born actress stepped out in the ’70s with Rocky Horror Picture Show, and again in the ’90s with Thelma & Louise, off the screen, her style has often steered in a more inventive, deeply personal direction.

She’s worn everything from suits made of blue sequins and mismatched stripes to brightly-colored premiere gowns, and of course, her favorite accessory: sunglasses (which she even sported at the 1996 Academy Awards, where she ended up taking home the award for Best Actress). From fur coats, low-cut dresses, tailored pantsuits, and nearly everything in between, take a look back at Sarandon’s lovably eclectic style, below.

2023: Magna Graecia Film Festival

Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

The actress looked angelic in a white maxi shirtdress and platform sneakers for the 2023 Magna Graecia Film Festival in Catanzaro, Italy.

2018: Golden Globe Awards

Neilson Barnard/NBCUniversal/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

In one of her signature pantsuits, Sarandon attended the 2018 Golden Globe Awards with activist Rosa Clemente.

2016: Cannes Film Festival

Getty Images

Sarandon reprised her sunglasses look and gave her leg room to breath on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival in 2016.

2014: TIME 100 Gala

Getty Images

Even without making the list, Sarandon stood out in red for the TIME 100 Gala in 2014.

2005: Venice Film Festival

Getty Images

Sarandon pulled out her “La Dolce Vita” best for the 2005 Venice Film Festival.

2003: Golden Globe Awards

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty Images

The film star was a vision in red for the 2003 Golden Globe Awards.

1999: Golden Globe Awards

KMazur/WireImage/Getty Images

Accompanied by her then husband Tim Robbins and daughter Eva, Sarandon attended the 1999 Golden Globe Awards in a plunging, blazer-style dress.

1999: Cannes Film Festival

KMazur/WireImage/Getty Images

Sarandon dazzled at the 1999 Cannes Film Fetsival in a sheer, patterned gown and black sandals.

1999: People’s Choice Awards

Getty Images

The actress did body-con the full-length way, while straightening out her locks, for the People’s Choice Awards in 1999.

1997: Academy Awards

Ron Davis/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Sarandon glittered in a gold velvet gown for the 1997 Academy Awards.

1996: Academy Awards

Getty Images

In a billowing silk gown and shawl, Sarandon kept her sunglasses on to take home the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in Dead Man Walking at the 1996 Academy Awards.

1994: Mother’s Voices Luncheon

Getty Images

Sarandon debuted this patterned pantsuit for the Mother’s Voices Luncheon in 1994.

1993: Golden Globe Awards

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

Never one to shy away from patterns, Sarandon went all in for the 1993 Golden Globe Awards with this brightly colored number.

1993: Academy Awards

KMazur/WireImage/Getty Images

At the 1993 Academy Awards, the actress was hard to miss in a sparkling silver long sleeve dress and a blinding diamond necklace.

1993: Bopha Screening

Getty Images

Sarandon did the skirt suit her own, striped way for a screening of Bopha in 1993.

1991: Children’s Defense Fund Benefit

Getty Images

The star brought out the bling and color for the 1991 Children’s Defense Fund Benefit.

1989: New York City

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

With her children Eva and Jack by her side, Sarandon personified mom on-duty style in 1989.

1988: Woman’s Sports Foundation Awards

Getty Images

Standing out in red, Sarandon attended the Woman’s Sports Foundation Awards in 1988.

1987: Tin Men Premiere

Getty Images

Fur was a constant in many of Sarandon’s early looks. Here, she paired it with a yellow turtleneck dress and a red brooch for the premiere of Tin Men.

1985: White Nights Premiere

Getty Images

The actress favored a suit over a dress early on in the ’80s. This one came with much wider lapels than her then husband’s for the premiere of White Nights in 1985.

1984: The Cotton Club Premiere

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

Sarandon hit the town in style for The Cotton Club premiere wearing a sparkling patterned dress and a dramatic fur.

1983: New York Ballet Party

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

Sarandon looked buttoned up in a cropped suit set for a New York Ballet Party in 1983.

1983: Academy Awards

Images Press/Archive Photos/Getty Images

The star stole the show in a ’20s-style dress for the 1983 Academy Awards.

1980: Los Angeles Lakers Game

Rick Stewart/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Sarandon was sitting court side (with none other than Jack Nicholson) at the Los Angeles Lakers game before it was cool.

1979: Pretty Baby Premiere

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

The actress rocked her signature red curls and leather pants for the Pretty Baby premiere in 1979.

1978: Warwick Hotel

Tim Boxer/Archive Photos/Getty Images

In a 1978 portrait session, Sarandon looked every bit of her bombshell shelf in a simple plunging button down and cuffed jeans.