"In the early 2000s - Apparently, I loved to wear dresses w jeans ... you're welcome," Jessica Alba [1] wrote on Instagram, sharing three solid instances of her rocking the trend [2]. Yes, long babydolls plus flares equaled red carpet perfection way back when, and we don't think Rachel Bilson [3], Kim Kardashian [4], or Jennifer Lopez [5] would disagree.
In fact, while Jessica's the most recent celebrity to remind us about the irresistible combination, Anne Hathaway posted a similar throwback shot in 2015 [6], attributing her Ella Enchanted premiere outfit to a stylist "who shall not be named."
These days, styling a dress over pants can be awfully chic [7], and the look even comes by way of monochrome or printed coordinate sets. But back when denim was quite literally THE fabric of our lives, there was no choice but to throw your shrunken going-out top over bell bottoms and possibly wrap a sequinned scarf around your neck for dramatic effect. You know what we mean?
Jessica Alba
Jessica wore a white slub top dress over jeans to the 2003 ESPY Awards.
She styled a breezy halter over flares at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards.
She opted for a botanical printed dress and jeans at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards.
Anne Hathaway
At the Elle Enchanted NYC premiere, Anne finished her dress and jeans combo with a pair of pointed-toe shoes.
Mischa Barton
Mischa tried out the look at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards, throwing a sequinned tunic with ruching over her denim.
Nicky Hilton
Was this Nicky Hilton [8]'s version of a Canadian tuxedo? She wore a lace-finished slipdress, which featured a denim graphic print, over dark-wash jeans in 2002.
Paris Hilton
Paris rocked the look with a sheer embellished tunic and additional glittering accessories in 2004.
Nicole Richie
Two can play that game, Paris. Nicole tried out the all-white version of the dress-over-jeans look at a party in 2004.
But Nicole could master the trend in true blue denim, too — and her Juicy Couture terrycloth top, of course. She styled the combo with a chevron skinny scarf when she hosted a dog fashion show in 2004 for The Simple Life 2.
Rachel Bilson
Rachel hit the red carpet to promote The O.C. in 2003 wearing this look that we'll never forget: a casual striped tunic dress that she completed with a brooch at the hip, flared jeans, and metallic sandals.
In 2004, Rachel completed the style with hot pink shoes and a skinny scarf at the Teen People Mansion in West Hollywood.
Mary-Kate Olsen
Mary-Kate wore a boho-style, belted tunic over her distressed flares when she and Ashley launched their fashion range in Paris in 2004.
Ashley Olsen
Ashley tried the look on for size in this babydoll at the grand opening of the Fox Sports Grill in 2003.
Kate Hudson
Kate rocked a breezy, see-through dress over her jeans at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.
She also went for a drop-waist style by belting her jersey dress below the hips for an appearance on MTV's TRL in 2004.
Kate rocked the trend with a bright blue t-shirt dress while out in Soho, New York in 2008.
Lindsay Lohan
Leave it to Lindsay to complete her ensemble with beads and a green popping clutch, in order to really stand out on the carpet at a Glamour party in 2004.
Lindsay also tried out the style with a spaghetti-strap ruffled tunic at the 11th Annual Rock the Vote Awards in 2004.
Selena Gomez
Selena even added a vest to her outfit, to play up her denim even more at the Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus [9]: Best of Both Worlds premiere in 2008.
Selena rocked the style with a casual babydoll and Converse sneakers at the 18th Annual A Time For Heroes Celebrity Carnival in 2007.
Selena showed up at the Shrek the Third LA premiere in 2007 sporting the look with flats.
Jennifer Lopez
Of course, J Lo didn't shy away from height, pulling off the combination with fold-over stiletto suede boots at MTV's TRL in 2005.
She wore an off-the-shoulder eyelet dress over skinnies with tall pumps while signing copies of her Spanish album in 2007.
Miley Cyrus
Miley turned up the volume in this colourful look at the 2006 Teen Choice Awards.
She pulled it off again in a zebra-effect dress and peep-toe pumps at the 2007 ABC All Star Party in Beverly Hills.
In 2008, Miley wore a chartreuse chiffon dress over charcoal jeans with purple boots for an appearance at the City of Hope benefit concert in California.
Kim Kardashian
Kim rocked the style with hoop earrings and a silver purse at STK in 2008.
Britney Spears
In true hip hop fashion, Brit pulled a ruched, lingerie-style dress over jeans and completed the outfit with boots at the 2002 Crosswoods premiere in Hollywood.
Gwen Stefani
Gwen got edgy with it, styling a black peplum dress with acid wash jeans while out in Manhattan in 2010.
Gwen was rocking the style in 2009 too, albeit in a tighter silhouette.
Melinda Clarke
The O.C. star Melinda Clarke followed in Mischa and Rachel's footsteps and wore an asymmetrical black dress over her jeans for LA Confidential's Fall Fashion Emmy Issue party in 2003.