5 times Megyn Kelly sparked outrage for controversial outfits on TV: From bare shoulders to leather minis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Megyn Kelly has spent over two decades in front of the camera, and her outfits have often attracted as much attention as her opinions. Whether it is covering elections, moderating debates, or sitting down with world leaders, Kelly’s fashion choices have frequently sparked controversy.

When Kelly first stepped into the TV world, she kept her style low-key, neutral tones, sharp tailoring, nothing over the top. In a 2012 interview with the Los Angeles Times, she described her fashion philosophy as “tailored, classic and never frilly".

As time passed, Kelly started stepping outside her comfort zone, playing with different styles and making bolder fashion choices. Let’s break down some of her most talked-about fashion moments, as reported by The List.

1. The GQ photoshoot

One of Megyn Kelly’s most infamous fashion moments dates back to 2010, when she posed for GQ in a revealing black Dolce & Gabbana dress with red high heels. Some conservative colleagues reportedly disapproved, but Fox News still used a reworked version of one of the photos for her online profile.

Years later, the images resurfaced during her high-profile clashes with Donald Trump, leading to renewed criticism. Kelly, however, never expressed regret. "I was 40, pregnant, and looking great," she told People in 2016. The controversy flared up again in 2025 when Kelly criticized Lauren Sanchez’s presidential inauguration outfit, prompting critics to resurrect her old GQ photos with mocking comparisons.

2. Megyn Kelly’s dress at 2016 RNC

Megyn Kelly also stirred debate at the 2016 Republican National Convention when she wore a black Ralph Lauren dress with delicate straps and a plunging neckline. The outfit, visible only from the waist up on TV, led many to mistake it for swimwear. While some called the backlash sexist, others argued it simply wasn’t appropriate for a major political event.

“I can be smart and challenging while wearing spaghetti straps,” Kelly later told The New York Times. She explained that her outfit was a deliberate choice, coming amid her battle with Fox News over Roger Ailes’ alleged harassment.

“Just because I’m blonde and in a sexy dress doesn’t make me a bimbo,” she said to 'The Cut' in 2018.

3. Megyn Kelly’s velvet dress at 2017 dinner party

In June 2017, Megyn Kelly’s fashion choices made waves when she was photographed speaking with Vladimir Putin. She wore a deep-hued velvet gown with an eye-catching neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves. Designer Yigal Azrouel, who created the dress, described it as "feminine, chic, and elegant", telling People, "My tip for women is not to be afraid of showing a little bit of skin. Femininity exudes confidence."

Critics compared it to her controversial 2016 Republican National Convention dress, with one X (formerly Twitter) user asking, "Could you have dressed any trashier or more unprofessional?"

Another wrote, "Why do you dress like a pole dancer?"

New York Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman pointed out that since the event was a dinner, the gown was perfectly suitable.

4. Megyn Kelly’s leather look

In September 2023, Megyn Kelly sat down with Donald Trump for an interview on 'The Megyn Kelly Show' and shared clips across Instagram. Her choice of outfit, a sleek black top with sheer sleeves paired with a pleated leather skirt stirred up conversation beyond the content of the interview itself.

But Kelly has never been one to let fashion critics dictate her wardrobe. She has embraced leather looks for years. Back in 2018, she wore a navy leather dress with a flared hem on NBC, a style fans largely approved of.

Yet, even she has admitted that not all leather outfits have worked for her. During a December 2017 segment on 'Today', Kelly recalled wearing faux leather leggings on-air and feeling exposed.

5. Megyn Kelly’s fashion choices continue to spark debate

In a February 2024 clip from 'The Megyn Kelly Show', she wore a black outfit that resembled the controversial dress she wore to the 2016 Republican National Convention, though this version featured thicker straps and a higher neckline.

One Instagram user asked, "Why are you dressing like you're attending a cocktail party for a podcast?"

In August 2024, Kelly wore a strapless white sheath while interviewing Tucker Carlson. Some fans took issue with her outfit referencing the past backlash over her fashion choices, especially the 2016 dress. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.