How Daisy Dukes Became a Fashion Phenomenon: From Catherine Bach’s Tan Heels to Jessica Simpson’s Modern Take

When The Dukes of Hazzard first hit television screens in 1979, few could predict that one of its most enduring legacies would be a fashion phenomenon.

Yet that’s precisely what happened when Catherine Bach stepped into the role of Daisy Duke—introducing a pair of barely-there denim shorts that would soon enter the pop-culture dictionary as simply “Daisy Dukes.”

Born on March 1, 1954, Bach was 24 when the series premiered on January 26, 1979, and 30 when it wrapped in 1985. But age wasn’t what made her a breakout figure—it was her fearless approach to style.

Catherine Bach channels peak Daisy Duke glamour, pairing her legendary ultra-short denim cutoffs with a breezy patterned blouse and strappy tan heels that spotlight her long, pin-up–perfect legs atop the General Lee (CBS)

How Catherine Bach Turned Cutoff Shorts Into an American Fashion Classic

While the show delivered high-octane stunts and small-town charm, Bach brought a new kind of energy: sun-kissed legs, all-American denim, and outfits that embodied a playful, country-chic confidence.

Her signature shorts weren’t an instant Hollywood yes. Executives initially balked at the micro-cut denim, fearing it was too daring for prime time. Their solution—having her wear pantyhose underneath—backfired in the best way: the subtle sheen elongated Catherine Bach’s 5’6½” (168.9 cm) frame and gave her legs that sculpted, glossy finish now synonymous with the Daisy Duke look.

Catherine Bach channels classic Daisy Duke in sky-high white ankle-strap heels paired with her signature ultra-short cutoffs and a fitted pastel top, flanked by Tom Wopat and John Schneider in this iconic Dukes of Hazzard promo shot (CBS)

✨ Modern Stars Embracing the Daisy Duke Aesthetic

A look at how today’s celebrities pair cutoff shorts with bold footwear—echoing the leg-flaunting legacy Catherine Bach helped define.

Worn with her size-8 heels and that famously confident stride, the hosiery didn’t tone down the sex appeal at all—if anything, it helped define the iconic silhouette that turned Catherine Bach into a 1970s style sensation.

What followed was more than a TV costume—it was a fashion moment that sparked a national trend and cemented Bach as a 1970s style symbol. “Daisy Dukes” became shorthand for the ultimate leg-flaunting summer staple, a piece of Americana that remains firmly embedded in the fashion conversation decades later.

Actress Catherine Bach—forever known as Daisy Duke—attends the 2018 Carousel of Hope Ball in Beverly Hills, pairing a sleek black satin top and textured pencil skirt with glittering pointed-toe pumps that add a touch of red-carpet sparkle to her classic monochrome look on October 6, 2018 (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)

In 2005, when the television series was adapted into a modern movie, casting agents were tasked with finding someone to play the part who would be just as memorable in her Daisy Dukes.

The winner? Jessica Simpson. Here’s everything you need to know about Simpson’s stint as the iconic character.

Jessica Simpson Reimagines Daisy Duke for a New Generation

Before making her film debut as Daisy Duke, Jessica Simpson worked as a singer in Hollywood.

She was best known for hits such as “With You” and “I Think I’m in Love with You,” and she gained further notoriety thanks to her marriage to 98 Degrees member Nick Lachey, with whom she starred in the reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica.

Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey’s Coordinated Blue Looks at the Dukes of Hazzard Premiere

For the Los Angeles premiere, they arrived in perfectly matched shades of blue—Jessica in a sleek, two-tone Narciso Rodriguez sheath paired with metallic heels, and Nick in a sharp Hugo Boss pinstriped suit with a cool-blue shirt and tie that echoed her look.

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey pose on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of The Dukes of Hazzard in matching blue outfits, highlighting Jessica’s role as Daisy Duke in the 2005 film (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)

While best known at the time for her music career, Jessica Simpson expanded her public persona in 2005 when she took on the role of Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard film. Fresh off her 25th birthday on July 10, she embraced the character’s signature look—leg-baring denim cutoffs, Western boots, and curve-hugging tops—bringing the iconic TV style into the early 2000s and introducing it to a new generation.

Released on August 5, 2005, the movie wasn’t a critical favorite, but Simpson’s Daisy Duke became the breakout visual of the film. Her modern take on the wardrobe, combined with her star power, helped the project earn over $100 million worldwide and cemented her status as a pop-culture fashion figure.

Supported by a cast that included Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott, and Lynda Carter, the film’s styling—especially Simpson’s updated “Daisy Dukes”—remains one of its most lasting cultural contributions.

Johnny Knoxville as Luke Duke, Seann William Scott as Bo Duke, and Jessica Simpson as Daisy Duke in the 2005 American action comedy road film The Dukes of Hazzard (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Even the three original Dukes—Tom Wopat, John Schneider, and Catherine Bach—turned down offers to appear in the film because they disapproved of the script.

How The Dukes of Hazzard Elevated Jessica Simpson’s Style Influence

Despite the mixed reviews, the film’s success ultimately worked in Jessica Simpson’s favor, propelling her further into the spotlight and reshaping her public image. The role helped position her not just as a pop star dabbling in acting, but as a rising fashion figure with unmistakable style influence.

Jessica Simpson brings her modern Daisy Duke to life in frayed denim cutoffs, a fitted pink tee, and bold red ankle-strap heels that spotlight her sculpted, leg-lengthening silhouette in this Dukes of Hazzard promo shot (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Building on that momentum, Simpson broadened her on-screen work and, later that same year, formally launched the Jessica Simpson brand—a lifestyle line spanning clothing, shoes, handbags, luggage, and accessories. What began as a celebrity venture quickly evolved into one of the most commercially successful celebrity fashion empires in America.

Jessica Simpson in Daisy Dukes poses with Seann William Scott and Johnny Knoxville in front of a vintage car to promote The Dukes of Hazzard outside the Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto, Canada, on August 2, 2005 (Credit: Sean O’Neill / INFGoff)

What other impact did the role have on Simpson? Like many others, it inspired her love of Daisy Dukes, and in 2022, she paid homage to her role by posting a photo of herself in the short shorts on Instagram. We’ll keep waiting to see what Simpson does next.

Inside Jessica Simpson’s Rise as a Red-Carpet Style Icon

In April 2011, The Dukes of Hazzard actress Jessica Simpson was named Us Weekly’s Style Icon of the Year. She attended the magazine’s Hot Hollywood party at Hollywood’s Eden Lounge.

Jessica Simpson shows off her blonde hair extensions as she arrives at the Us Weekly Hot Hollywood party held on April 26, 2011, at Hollywood’s Eden Lounge (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Jessica wore a playfully printed mini dress from the Etro Spring 2011 collection. She accessorized the mini dress with a circular gold clutch and extreme 6.5″-high black satin cork wedge pumps from Giuseppe Zanotti.

The American singer proudly sported blonde hair extensions that were a perfect fit for her brand.

Jessica Simpson lights up the event in a vibrant printed Etro mini dress paired with Giuseppe Zanotti’s ankle-strap-less “La Rocque” wedges, the sculptural black heels giving her bold, patterned look a sleek, elongated finish (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Jessica’s Giuseppe Zanotti heels are the ankle-strap-less interpretation of the brand’s “La Rocque” wedges—unlike the product image below, which shows the original design with its signature ankle strap.

Giuseppe Zanotti’s “La Rocque” wedges — a sky-high cork platform balanced by a sleek black satin upper and finished with a gold-embellished ankle strap

The American singer, songwriter, actress, reality television personality, and fashion designer never tries to be anything other than who she is, which makes her relatable to many women.

✨ Jessica Simpson’s Lasting Influence on Celebrity Footwear

From sky-high platforms to polished pumps from her own label, Jessica Simpson has delivered some of Your Next Shoes’ most memorable style moments. Below is a curated selection of live YNS articles showcasing her standout footwear and fashion appearances.