Evan Rachel Wood’s Fashion Evolution: From Westworld’s Prairie Boots to Red-Carpet Power Suits

Evan Rachel Wood, born on September 7, 1987, has never shied away from roles that demand both vulnerability and strength.

Her career reached a turning point with the premiere of Westworld on October 2, 2016, where she embodied Dolores Abernathy — a host who evolves from a wide-eyed rancher’s daughter into a revolutionary force.

At just 29, Wood infused Dolores with depth and resilience, earning critical acclaim and industry recognition. Her performance didn’t just define a character — it redefined her career.

And just as Dolores’s story arc transformed on screen, Wood’s wardrobe choices in the series and on the red carpet mirrored that same journey from innocence to empowerment, showcasing the power of fashion as a storytelling tool.

Evan Rachel Wood as Dolores Abernathy in Westworld, wearing a prairie-style blue dress with lace trim and a wide brown belt that reflects the show’s 1870s Western setting (Credit: HBO)

Dolores Abernathy’s Style in Westworld: From Prairie Innocence to Empowered Edge

Evan Rachel Wood’s character, Dolores Abernathy, in Westworld, undergoes a striking fashion evolution that mirrors her journey from innocence to empowerment.

In the early seasons, Dolores is dressed in a wholesome, Victorian-inspired prairie look—most memorably a light blue, full-length dress with a Peter Pan collar, cinched with a brown belt and finished with sturdy cowboy boots. This costume reflects her identity as a “rancher’s daughter” and symbolizes the innocence of her programmed loop.

Evan Rachel Wood channels a sleek, modern edge as Dolores in Westworld Season 3, Episode 1, wearing a bold red bodycon dress layered with a sharp black blazer and finished with pointed black ankle boots that underscore her newfound authority (Credit: HBO)

As her consciousness deepens, Dolores trades delicate dresses for darker, more structured attire. Her wardrobe begins to feature tailored coats, practical trousers, and fitted blouses, often paired with gun holsters, signaling her emergence as a self-aware leader who embraces strength and rebellion through her style choices.

Evan Rachel Wood as Dolores Abernathy in Westworld, wearing a simple striped button-down shirt with rolled sleeves while surrounded by glowing candles in a tense scene (Credit: HBO)

Evan Rachel Wood’s acclaimed performance in Westworld showcased not only her acting range but also her character’s evolving style, which mirrored Dolores Abernathy’s transformation from innocence to empowerment.

This evolution extended beyond the screen, with Wood making equally bold and symbolic fashion statements at public appearances.

Suiting Up: Evan Rachel Wood’s Bold Red-Carpet Fashion Statements

Evan Rachel Wood exuding timeless elegance in a ruffled shirt and a stunning Roberto Cavalli suit at Media’s 34th Annual PaleyFest Los Angeles “Westworld” Panel held at The Paley Center in Los Angeles, California, on March 25, 2017 (Credit: Apega / FayesVision / WENN)

In March 2017, Evan Rachel Wood suited up once again for the 34th annual PaleyFest Los Angeles “Westworld” panel.

Evan Rachel Wood looked absolutely fabulous in a slim-fitting navy pantsuit that exuded sophistication

The actress and musician kept her promise to wear a different suit for every event, donning a custom navy suit from Roberto Cavalli.

She wore slim-fitting trousers with a tailored jacket that displayed her black beaded shirt with ruffle detailing.

Leaving the suit unbuttoned, Evan Rachel Wood showcased a black lacey affair, adding a touch of allure to her ensemble

Evan tucked her cropped hair behind her ears to show off her smoky eyes and glossy pink lips, adding a cool edge to her sleek look with all-black accessories.

Evan Rachel Wood showed off her sleek side-parted bob, styled with a smooth, glossy finish that highlighted her sharp tailoring and minimalist jewelry

Le Silla Pumps Add a Refined Edge to Evan Rachel Wood’s Tailored Look

She carried a black clutch from Mugler and accessorized with jewels from Broken English. On her feet, she chose black pumps from Le Silla, the luxury Italian footwear house founded in 1994 by Enio Silla and Monica Ciabattini.

Known for its handcrafted designs and avant-garde detailing, the brand brought a refined edge to her sleek, tailored look.

Evan Rachel Wood opted for pointed Le Silla heels that elevated her look to new heights

Evan wore the velvet and leather pumps from Le Silla. These shoes are crafted in Italy and feature pointy toes, studded details, and velvet-covered heels. They also have adjustable ankle straps, leather trims, high heels, and leather soles.

Le Silla Studded Leather and Velvet Pumps in Bordeaux, $819

Empowering Fashion Choices at the 2017 SAG Awards

Two months earlier, the then-29-year-old actress and singer kept the suit trend alive at the 2017 SAG Awards, stepping out onto the red carpet in a menswear-inspired look styled to perfection.

Evan Rachel Wood proved once again that she meant business as she graced the red carpet at the 2017 SAG Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on January 29, 2017 (Credit: Apega / FayesVision / WENN)

Her custom midnight blue velvet suit from Altuzarra featured contrast black silk lapels and a double-breasted silhouette.

Evan Rachel Wood’s Altuzarra pantsuit was a stunning navy blue velvet tuxedo featuring a double-breasted silhouette and a sleek black silk lapel

She accessorized with jewelry from Tiffany & Co. and a clutch embellished with Swarovski crystals from Judith Leiber before finishing off her look with a pair of black velvet pumps from Salvatore Ferragamo.

Evan Rachel Wood continued her commitment to female empowerment with her fashion choices (Credit: Apega / FayesVision / WENN)

“I’ve always wanted to do it,” she told E! News’ Guiliana Rancic on the red carpet about her decision to wear suits. “I promised myself this year that I would wear a suit to every awards show.”

“I think I myself felt pressure a lot of times that I had to look or dress a certain way, and especially growing up with the industry,” Evan added.

“So I thought, you know, I’m just going to go the other way and reach out to a little girl who is like me, possibly. So that’s what I’m going for this year.”

She concluded, “It’s all about choice. Choice. Options.”

Evan Rachel Wood shows off her feet in black velvet pumps from Salvatore Ferragamo

As Evan Rachel Wood’s journey through Westworld and her empowering red-carpet choices show, she has consistently balanced artistry with bold fashion statements. To dive deeper into her style evolution, explore more of her standout shoe and fashion moments below.

Explore Evan Rachel Wood’s Shoe & Fashion Highlights