Kelly Ripa, the beloved television host, has recently opened up about her evolving fashion choices, emphasizing the importance of outfit repeats in her style philosophy. At 54 years old, Ripa stands by her style statements. She understands that with age has come the real liberation of core fashion “don’ts,” with no apologies, but she’s gleefully adopted the confidence of knowing what really looks good on her.
During a recent appearance on her daytime show, Ripa reminisced about her past fashion choices, including a moment from 2016 when she predicted that a particular dress would prove to be a versatile addition to her closet. “I bet if I buy this maybe it will be an investment piece. Maybe I will wear it more than once,” she stated, showcasing her practical approach to fashion.
Ripa’s dedication to sustainability and timelessness shines through in her obvious appreciation for re-wearing pieces. In a heartfelt gesture, she chose to don her “off-the-rack” wedding dress from Barneys New York during a memorable 20th-anniversary getaway with her husband, Mark Consuelos. The happy couple eloped in Las Vegas in May 1996 and are now looking forward to almost 30 years of wedded bliss.
Ultimately, she purchased that particular wedding dress not for its beauty alone. Now, it’s become a boring, everyday staple in her wardrobe. “I took the tags off to wear it to our wedding and I wear it all the time now as a beach cover-up,” Ripa shared. This flexibility speaks to her greater philosophy that garments have the potential to do more than what they were initially created for.
Ripa’s daughter, Lola Consuelos, now 23, praised her mother’s style as “very chic and minimalistic, but in a very beautiful and authentic way.” When it comes to fashion, Lola is pragmatic in her approach. She’s become a pro at finding stylish, longer skirts as she’s seated most of the day.
In discussing her style evolution, Ripa noted, “There are so many things that I just can’t or won’t wear. I’m literally making a list in my head.” Acknowledging the evolution in her style, as many women might experience, Wong commented on how she chose not to wear miniskirts as she got older. Today was an exception, though. Lola insisted I wear the skirt she’s wearing and I just couldn’t get away with saying, ‘That’s not happening.’ Can’t. Just can’t. After a certain age, you know when to retire your disco shoes!
In all of these reflections combined, Kelly Ripa serves as a prime example of how personal style can evolve with time while being authentic. Her path is a powerful testament to the fact that fashion is so much more than beautiful clothes. It celebrates coziness, functionality and personal style.