The Fashion Transformation of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
This past April, the new format of Women's Wear Daily was revealed— a week's worth of news in an oversized coffee table-style magazine, featuring the Olsen twins on their very first cover. It was a smart move on their part to put Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen on the debut cover, as the two have gained considerable acknowledgement for their design ability and appeal to high and mainstream fashion worlds in equal measure. Their feature in the issue, titled "The Quiet Ones" focuses mainly on their excellent ready-to-wear line "The Row", and commitment to treating the creation of something as simple as a t-shirt the same way one would a couture dress. Elegant and understated, the brand, under their direction, has successfully pinned down the always-changing idea of perfect fit and form.
Today, June 13, is their birthday and in honor of the occasion, we thought we'd celebrate their style—and their second CFDA win for Women's Designer of the Year, which they won last week—by putting together their best looks. No one dresses up quite like the Olsens dress down, and that's certainly something to study. While we all can't shell out for pieces from The Row (we wish), we can definitely admire from afar and adapt these looks our own way. Scroll through for the most notable fashion moments in Olsen history.
Photo: Getty Images1/33All the best fashion from your favorite twins.
2/33Tiny Tots
They may have started out in 1987, sharing the spotlight as the adorable Michelle Tanner on Full House. Outfits like these showed that the girls were headed toward style-icon status early on.
3/33Game Time
Mary-Kate is cute and comfy while sitting courtside with her then-beau, David Katzenberg, at an L.A. Lakers game. Her ripped jeans and casual approach to dressing give MK's look all-star status.
4/33Back in Black
Even after growing out of their Full House roots and into their teens, MK and Ashley stay cute and coordinated in black pants and butterfly blouses at a 2002 premiere.
5/33Sunny Side Up
The Olsens brighten things up at the premiere of in Los Angeles in 2004. Mary-Kate gets flirty with flounces of lace and pearls, while Ashley sticks to the classics with a chic gray sheath. It's easy to tell that MK's bohemian side and Ashley's more classic take on fashion are already beginning to show.
6/33Sporty Style
At the 2004 U.S. Open, Mary-Kate and Ashley show their support for a winning combination: jeans and T-shirts. MK spices it up with a red belt and a plum cardigan, while Ashley chooses a fitted blazer and oversize sunnies. Both girls may know the importance of fashion classics, but MK and Ash never sacrifice their individual style.
7/33Cover Girls
To celebrate their cover-girl status, Mary-Kate and Ashley joined Amy Astley in New York City to party in true fashion. The stylish sisters, who graced the December/January 2007 cover, moved in different directions with their trendsetting choices for the night—Ashley took things darker with her new do, and MK went for a red-hot look.
8/33Red Carpet Rebels
Ashley looks posh in a white fur and Mary Janes, and Mary-Kate turns an ordinary ball gown into a fashion statement with a red beret and whimsical jewelry in these glam frocks. The girls (and their styles) may have matured, but it's clear that MK still pushes the fashion envelope while Ashley prefers a more timeless approach to dressing.
9/33Hot Child In The City
After leaving behind the boho trend that she helped herald in, MK spends some time in the early nineties with this Seattle-ready look. She plays it cool in L.A. in grunge-inspired flannel and platforms that only a true style-setter could handle.
10/33Street Chic
She may be known to have a more polished style than her sister, but Ashley can layer it up when she wants to. Ash takes this look to the streets in a knotted headband, leggings, and a crisp blazer. The oversize cardigan and ubiquitous Starbucks cup make this a signature Olsen look.
11/33Fur Your Information
As Ashley moves into her twenties, she's decidedly more playful with her fashion choices. Here, Ash pulls together a cute cool-weather look on the go with an oversize bag and fur coat. The slouchy moccasin boots and yellow sunglasses make this an outfit that only an Olsen could perfect.
12/33If The Shoe Fits
Ashley's basic black gets a kick with strappy, show-stopping sandals. A master at mixing accessories, Ashley illustrates that adding a statement piece to an otherwise plain outfit is always a chic choice.
13/33Winner's Circle
Talk about a black-tie event. MK and Ash kick things up a notch at the 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City. The girls are all grown up and feeling minimalist in tailored and almost matching black-and-white dresses.
14/33Runway Ready
Mary-Kate and Ashley take their look front row and center at Jenni Kayne's Fall 2007 show in New York City. With their matching hair and similar bundled-up styles, the girls appear to be growing closer as they grow up.
15/33Paris Match
Only these girls could make looking seriously chic seriously easy. MK and Ash wow the crowd—and Karl—at the Chanel Fall/Winter 2008 show in Paris. Ashley's head scarf and trendy leather leggings prove that she still has a funky side, while MK chose a classic Chanel tweed.
16/33Easy Rider
MK shows her tough side in NYC, in a seriously studded jacket. The orange shades and tight mini prove that this girl has confidence and style to boot. Her rocker phase is the last before she moves into her current, more classic look. At least for now ...
17/33Under the Influence
Mary-Kate and Ashley looked perfectly polished in black and white at the signing of at Barnes & Noble in NYC. The girls prove that a standard choice is always right—they've come full circle from their start as almost-matching sailors.
Photo: Getty Images18/33At the WWD 100 Anniversary Party at Cipriani in New York, November 2 2010
These looks are just really good.
Photo: Getty Images19/33At the 7th Annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards at Skylight SOHO in New York, November 15 2010
Twinning hard in this one—and, as Olsen rule #1 dictates, always be a little bit disheveled. The beachy, undone hair against their very glamorous coats is just the right amount.
Photo: Getty Images20/33At the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, April 10 2011
As the purveyors of black, it's rare to see these two in so much color, but this is definitely one of our favorite looks. Mary Kate's coat and pants color block while also playing with texture, while Ashley's cream shawl paired with pearls and turquoise beads brings out the best of their bohemian style.
Photo: Getty Images21/33At the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, March 24 2011
The texture here is pretty great, with velvet, silks, wools and leather—sometimes it's about simple variations among the things you wear, as we've learned from these two. Also, those shades.
Photo: Getty Images22/33At the 2011 CFDA Awards at Alice Tully Hall in New York, June 6 2011
We can't really speak for these 2011 hair dye jobs, but MK's gold jacket is pretty rad.
Photo: Getty Images23/33At the J.Mendel F/W 2012 show at Lincoln Center in New York, February 15 2012
A front row classic Olsen moment and we love it.
Photo: Getty Images24/33At the Fresh Air Fund Salute to American Heroes at Chelsea Piers in New York, May 31 2012
Color is to be noted here, expertly divided between the two – it's always a good idea to leave the fun part to your accessories and keep it simple otherwise, especially if you prefer to opt for neutral colors. We also really want that clutch.
Photo: Getty Images25/33At the 2012 CFDA Awards at Alice Tully Hall in New York, June 04 2012
This one does a great job of presenting each of their personalities equally, in black and pink, and we can't decide which look we like better. Mary-Kate's chic silk wrap skirt might take the cake.
Photo: RexUSA26/33Mary Kate arriving to her hotel after the H&M show in Paris, February 27 2013
The skinny black pant and oversize top half is an Olsen style combination go-to—we also love Ashley's silk scarf, tying the look together with a hint of color.
Photo: Getty Images27/33**Ashley stepping out of her car in Paris, March 06 2014 **
She gives the menswear-inspired look a ladylike twist with an elegant bag and silk scarf.
Photo: Getty Images28/33At the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, May 5 2014
They might have been the most appropriately dressed according to the theme at the opening of the Charles James Costume Institute Exhibit—so refined.
Photo: Getty Images29/33Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen at LAX in Los Angeles, May 07 2014
The daring can feel free to try floor-length jacket a la Mary-Kate—a good print is always a great option over basic black—but we're also into Ashley's simple, monochromatic outfit in shades of grey.
Photo: Getty Images30/33At the 2014 World of Children Awards in New York, November 6 2014
Ashley pulls off a pretty retro skirt and shoes by pairing with minimal makeup and a simple black turtleneck, while Mary-Kate does contrasts the oversize look with a skinny stiletto.
Photo: Getty Images31/33At the CFDA Awards at Alice Tully Hall in New York, June 2 2014
Last Year's CFDA awards, in elegant black shapes with hyper glam accessories—not everything has to be form fitting to look amazing, as the jewelry takes care of that here.
Photo: Getty Images32/33At the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, May 5 2015
All in black, anything but boring. The subtle details in the fabric of Ashley's dress immediately catches your eye, while Mary-Kate's sparkly accessories take center stage.
Photo: RexUSA33/33At the CFDA Awards at Alice Tully Hall in New York, June 2014
Double the fun! The pair took home the prestigious Womenswear Designer of the Year Award for the second time, looking ultra chic.
