How Jessica Alba earned her style stripes

At 18, the actress knows white is the colour for her, but is clearly still experimenting with her red carpet look.

By 2001 she has adopted a more casual approach to dressing for fancy events - and a love of flared trousers that would remain for the next decade and beyond.

(Remember when bullet belts were on-trend?)

To be fair, this was 2002, a time when suits were popping up everywhere on the celebrity circuit.

She's in an ice white Dolce & Gabbana three-piecer for the Golden Globes.

There they are.

She's all frills and flounce with hair to match in 2004.

Later in the year, her hair is blonder and sleeker but her butterfly adorned cape mini dress and thigh high boots are not her strongest look.

It's a complete turnaround in 2005 when she adopts a more mature look at the MTV VMA's party.

They're back! This time with turn-ups.

But the Sin City star's decision to indulge her love of flares and all-white outfit comes off with limited success.

It all goes a bit country singer later in 2006.

Style-wise, 2007 was something of a turning point for the actress.

She's tapping into an Audrey Hepburn vibe in this stunning Christian Dior gown for a Galliano for Dior fashion show in Paris.

She's pregnant at the 2008 Oscars and going for a bold, feminine look in this feather-adorned Grecian Marchesa gown.

It's another super feminine look later in the year in this silky, peach Narciso Rodriguez number.

It''s December, so Alba's cherry red, hip-busting Dolce & Gabbana dress is most appropriate.

She's toning down her red carpet presence in 2009, in this plunging Prada LBD with red accents.

Wow.

She's in her element in this little shimmy of Valentino dress.

Another big awards event (the Baftas) and another designer maternity gown. She's a picture in electric blue Versace.

It's a triumphant return to the red carpet after the birth of her second child Haven, in this gliding Michael Kors number.

The sharp tailoring doesn't come out very often, but when it does, it's perfect. Note the lack of flare in these Tommy Hilfiger trousers.

Looking like a supermodel who's stepped off a yacht in a sophisticated summery dress by Narciso Rodriguez.

She's the queen of casual chic in top-to-toe Ralph Lauren at New York Fashion Week in 2012.

Old habits die hard. The flares and double denim are looking good though.

It's a daring departure from her usual duds but she's pulling it off like a pro.

The jumper is a £47 number from Revolve.

She became everyone's comic fashion icon last year in this Boom! jumper by 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Big tick for the preppy handbag too.

Celebrating 15 years of rocking all-white outfits on the red carpet.

This form-fitting frock is by Jason Wu.

Off duty, she's all about the 'it' handbags - this one's by one of her favourites, Narciso Rodriguez.

Same shoes, very different style in this pretty "Cookie Bronze" Mary Katrantzou dress.

Smouldering in a tasteful bondage-themed number by David Koma.

She's totally owning boho in Zimmerman at a Comic Con event last month.

She teams a girly fit and flare Antonio Beradi dress with strong brows and a sleek ponytail to promote her new film Sin City: A Dame To Kill, earlier this month.

Are those...yes, they are skinnies!

She's glam to the max with sheer top and shoulder robing.

After going for the chop Jessica is sporting a very chic and grown-up look in a monochrome Max Mara jumpsuit at the 30th Anniversary Impact Awards, Los Angeles.