Mischa Barton: March 2003
This was early in the year The O.C. premiered, so between "The Sixth Sense" and Broadway and "Once and Again" and "Fastlane," and whatnot, she'd already been acting for years. But not long enough to know that velvet pants only work if you are in the North Pole making dolls to shove in Santa's knapsack.
July 2003
I cannot believe those shoes existed outside the 80s. She MUST have borrowed those from her mother.
August 2003
This was the month of The O.C.'s premiere. I am concerned this was papier-mache'd ONTO her body.
October 2003
Oh, but that coat... that is a GLORIOUS coat. This whole outfit is cute, or would be, if I weren't staring into her navel.
January 2004
EGADS.
March 2004
So much nicer. SO MUCH. I don't even... I am still damaged by the previous slide.
April 2004
Nowadays, someone would wear that as a dress. Actually, thoseadays, someone probably did. It's a no-man's-land -- too short to be a frock, but long enough that it evokes a dress over pants. The real answer is to burn it.
July 2004
I will never forget this dress, because ANTM season two winner Yoanna House wore three months prior for her victory. It was not great then, and it's not great now. It looks like it's been shanked.
August 2004
That's very floaty and pretty, though -- she was still only 18 at this point, so this is a nice bridge between kid and adult.
September 2004
She wore this at the Emmys, and I can't tell if parts of it are sheer, or it's just a trick of the light. It's funky, though. Should I hate it? Because I don't.
October 2004
Bright gold booties and fringed erogenous zones... are we in Vegas?
October 2004
And then we swing the pendulum back: This is interesting and not awful, and maybe even good, but would've been better with more delicate head styling. Then again, I just took another quick look at it and does DOES look vaguely TP'd.
December 2004
When did Mischa Barton raid Sharon Stone's closet?
January 2005
I cannot with that bodice. It's such a hideous, twisted accident of a thing.
February 2005
This was the BAFTAs. I don't dislike the fabric, but I do dislike the back dickey.
February 2005
This looks like a product of a Project Runway unconventional challenge. A by-product. By which I mean, "waste."
February 2005
Remember how she was dating Brandon Davis? I firmly believe that was her long-term downfall. Also, this is... awful. The designer scrap heap.
Septmeber 2005
And then THIS. Stunning. I have whiplash. Would've loved a bombshell deep red lipstick here, just to see, but she looks wonderful in this.
October 2005
Bike shorts. BIKE SHORTS. And VELVET. AND BIKE SHORTS. THE TOUR DE FRANCE DOES NOT NEED A MARCHING BAND.
December 2005
This is mostly forgettable from the front...
December 2005
And mostly nothing in the back. It's even giving figure skaters hives.
January 2006
I love this. That COLOR. If she wore this tomorrow I would cry and proclaim her saved.
February 2006
This is crazy, because of how it risks leaving her left boob out to dry, but at least it's not SAD. Just... brave bedding.
March 2006
This is way too old for someone who's fresh-faced and twenty.
August 2006
Gorgeous.
September 2006
But this is adorable. It's like she's wearing a magic carpet, in the best way.