What almost every Bachelorette has worn on night one of 'The Bachelorette'

Gabbi ShawJul 9, 2024, 23:55 IST

Host Jesse Palmer and Jenn Tran.John Fleenor/Disney

Season 21 of "The Bachelorette" began on Monday.
In honor of the new season, we found what other "Bachelorette" stars wore on their first nights.

It's summer, which means it's once again time to head over to the Bachelor Mansion and watch the latest Bachelorette fall in love on reality TV.

For "The Bachelorette," one of the most important looks of the season is the night-one look. It's both the lead's first impression with her potential suitors and with the world as they watch her begin her journey to find love.

In recent years, "Bachelorette" leads have worn custom beaded dresses that cost upwards of $10,000, usually designed by Randi Rahm.

But the night-one gowns weren't always red-carpet worthy.

Here's how the style of "The Bachelorette" has evolved across 21 seasons.

Trista (then) Rehn was our very first "Bachelorette" star. Her night-one look is much more understated than they would soon become.

Trista in the very first episode of "The Bachelorette."Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

Meredith Phillips was the star of the second season. Her dress was a little more glamorous with the glittering detailing on the back.

Meredith Phillips and host Chris Harrison.Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

DeAnna Pappas' dress was more daring than her predecessors' dresses. She wore a plunging neckline.

DeAnna and some of her men.Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

Jillian Harris' dress on her first night as the lead was all about the back.

Jillian Harris and one of her suitors.Adam Larkey/Walt Disney Television/Getty Images

Ali Fedotowsky chose a simple black gown and, as a result, blended in with her suitors. It's now easy to understand why leads are decked out in sequins.

Ali and her men.Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

Ashley Hebert rocked a jewel-encrusted dress on the first night of her season — it's a trend that lives on to this day.

Ashley Hebert and Chris Harrison.Rick Rowell/Walt Disney Television/Getty Images

The color of Emily Maynard's dress also became a popular choice among the leading ladies.

Emily Maynard's season didn't film in the Bachelor Mansion.Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

Desiree Hartsock wore a metallic silver dress.

Desiree's men also made some interesting fashion choices.Kevin Foley/ABC via Getty Images

Andi Dorfman's dress was more ornate than any other "Bachelorette" star's.

Andi's individual style came through.ABC

Kaitlyn Bristowe and Britt Nilsson wore black and white dresses, respectively. We can't help but feel that their color choices were intentional — Nilsson was the traditional America's sweetheart, while Bristowe was a bit edgier.

Britt and Kaitlyn were essentially opposites.Rick Rowell/ABC via Getty Images

Kaitlyn Bristowe and Britt Nilsson wore black and white dresses, respectively. We can't help but feel that their color choices were intentional — Nilsson was the traditional America's sweetheart, while Bristowe was a bit edgier.

JoJo Fletcher combined the shade of Emily Maynard's dress and the sparkles of Ashley Hebert's for her night one look.

JoJo Fletcher on her first night.Rick Rowell/Walt Disney Television/Getty Images

Rachel Lindsay's patterned white dress looked beautiful — and yes, it sparkled.

Rachel Lindsay and her men.Craig Sjodin/Walt Disney Television/Getty Images

Becca Kufrin also chose a white, sparkly gown.

Becca and Chris Harrison.Paul Hebert/ABC via Getty Images

Hannah Brown's sparkly dress was on trend with "The Bachelorette," but also had a dramatic slit that was very much in line with "Hannah Beast."

Hannah "Beast" Brown.John Fleenor/Walt Disney Television/Getty Images

Clare Crawley kicked off season 16 of "The Bachelorette" in this funky sequined gown on October 13, 2020.

Clare Crawley.Craig Sjodin/ABC/Getty Images

Tayshia Adams officially took over as the Bachelorette in November 2020, wearing this beautiful bronze dress.

Tayshia Adams.Craig Sjodin/ABC

Katie Thurston opted for a pop of color, something we rarely see from a night one look, for her June 2021, premiere.

Katie Thurston.Craig Sjodin/ABC

Michelle Young's journey for love kicked off on October 19, 2021. She wore a metallic gown for the occasion.

Michelle Young.Craig Sjodin/ABC

In a franchise first, Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey shared duties as co- "Bachelorette" leads in July 2022. Their dresses each conveyed their individual styles.

Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey.Craig Sjodin/ABC

Charity Lawson wore a pink-and-red gown designed by Randi Rahm for her premiere in May 2023.

Charity Lawson.Craig Sjodin/ABC/Getty Images

Jenn Tran's season premiered in July 2024. She wore a scalloped white gown with a halter neckline.

Jesse Palmer and Jenn Tran.John Fleenor/Disney

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What almost every Bachelorette has worn on night one of 'The Bachelorette'

Trista (then) Rehn was our very first "Bachelorette" star. Her night-one look is much more understated than they would soon become.

Meredith Phillips was the star of the second season. Her dress was a little more glamorous with the glittering detailing on the back.

DeAnna Pappas' dress was more daring than her predecessors' dresses. She wore a plunging neckline.

Jillian Harris' dress on her first night as the lead was all about the back.

Ali Fedotowsky chose a simple black gown and, as a result, blended in with her suitors. It's now easy to understand why leads are decked out in sequins.

Ashley Hebert rocked a jewel-encrusted dress on the first night of her season — it's a trend that lives on to this day.

The color of Emily Maynard's dress also became a popular choice among the leading ladies.

Desiree Hartsock wore a metallic silver dress.

Andi Dorfman's dress was more ornate than any other "Bachelorette" star's.

Kaitlyn Bristowe and Britt Nilsson wore black and white dresses, respectively. We can't help but feel that their color choices were intentional — Nilsson was the traditional America's sweetheart, while Bristowe was a bit edgier.

JoJo Fletcher combined the shade of Emily Maynard's dress and the sparkles of Ashley Hebert's for her night one look.

Rachel Lindsay's patterned white dress looked beautiful — and yes, it sparkled.

Becca Kufrin also chose a white, sparkly gown.

Hannah Brown's sparkly dress was on trend with "The Bachelorette," but also had a dramatic slit that was very much in line with "Hannah Beast."

Clare Crawley kicked off season 16 of "The Bachelorette" in this funky sequined gown on October 13, 2020.

Tayshia Adams officially took over as the Bachelorette in November 2020, wearing this beautiful bronze dress.

Katie Thurston opted for a pop of color, something we rarely see from a night one look, for her June 2021, premiere.

Michelle Young's journey for love kicked off on October 19, 2021. She wore a metallic gown for the occasion.

In a franchise first, Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey shared duties as co- "Bachelorette" leads in July 2022. Their dresses each conveyed their individual styles.

Charity Lawson wore a pink-and-red gown designed by Randi Rahm for her premiere in May 2023.

Jenn Tran's season premiered in July 2024. She wore a scalloped white gown with a halter neckline.