Jessica Simpson's style evolution in 33 photos: Duchess of Hazzard to fashion mogul

'When I feel good in my own skin and the clothes that are covering my skin, I can project my best self,' says the mother-of-three of her style

Jessica Simpson, in a pink and cream animal two-piece, attends the 'What's Next' issue party for 'Teen People' in Hollywood on January 14, 2000. Getty Images

Clad in white embellished trousers and a grey tank top at her 20th birthday with fans in Santa Monica on July 12, 2000. ImageDirect

In a pink crop top and jeans during an in-store appearance at HMV Records in New York City on July 21, 2000. Liaison

In a lion crop top and jeans at Music Mania 2000 in Jacksonville, Florida on August 13, 2000. ImageDirect

Clad in a black mini with feathered sleeves at the 2000 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on December 5, 2000. Liaison

It's denim on denim for Jessica - jacket over shorts - at Nickelodeon's 14th Annual Kid's Choice Awards in Santa Monica on April 21, 2001. Liaison

Pretty in pastel pink and blue at the 2001 Met Gala in New York on April 23, 2001. Newsmakers

Wearing a navy bandeau dress at Entertainment Weekly's second annual 'It List' party in New York City on June 23, 2003. AFP

In a pink tiered top and wide-legged trousers at A Tribute to Magic Johnson at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles on February 12, 2004. Getty Images

Gracing the red carpet in a glittering gold gown at the 7th Annual VH1 Divas concert, at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on April 18, 2004. AFP

In a green strapless dress at the Make-A-Wish Foundation 2004 Awards Dinner on October 23, 2004. AFP

In a two-tone blue dress at 'The Dukes of Hazzard' premiere in Hollywood on July 28, 2005. AFP

Striking in a purple and orange ombre gown for the UK premiere of 'The Dukes Of Hazzard' in London, on August 22, 2005. Getty Images

In a cream mini prom dress at the 8th Annual Teen Choice Awards on August 20, 2006. AFP

Making a statement in blue metallic Herve Leger during the 60th International Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2007. Getty Images

Keeping warm in a black dress and grey fur-collared cape, at a gala to celebrate Macy's 150th birthday at Gotham Hall on October 28, 2008, in New York City. AFP

It's a black vest and jeans for Jessica while performing live at the 99.9 Kiss Country 24th Annual Chili Cook Off, in Florida on January 25, 2009. WireImage

A one-shouldered floral gown for the 2010 Operation Smile annual gala at Cipriani, Wall Street on May 6, 2010. AFP

Statuesque in a gold studded gown at the grand opening of the Casino Club at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia on July 2, 2010. AFP

Wearing a denim piece from her own Jessica Simpson Collection, with Eric Johnson at the Jessica Simpson Collection Showroom on September 7, 2010, in New York. Getty Images

In a mini printed dress at the Us Weekly Hot Hollywood party on April 26, 2011. AFP

Showing off her baby bump in a sequinned black mini at the NBC Universal All-Star Party in Pasadena, California on January 6, 2012. FilmMagic

Wearing her own Jessica Simpson Maternity line, at Belk Southpark in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 23, 2013. AFP

Summery in a yellow mini dress, at the 11th Annual John Varvatos Stuart House Benefit on April 13, 2014. AFP

In a black Jessica Simpson Collection dress at the Forbes Women's Summit: The Entrepreneurship of Everything, in New York City on May 15, 2014. AFP

Sparkling in a gold vintage one-shoulder dress at 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1' premiere in Los Angeles, on November 17, 2014. AFP

In black short sleeve floral Monique Lhuillier, at the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Awards Gala in New York City on January 12, 2016. AFP

Stylish in a black Brandon Maxwell jumpsuit, at the FFANY Shoes On Sale Gala Fundraiser, hosted by QVC on October 25, 2016. AFP

It's a yellow mini dress for The 2018 Outstanding Mother Awards in New York City on May 11, 2018. AFP

Black leather trousers and a black top are her pick for the Beautycon Festival LA 2018, on July 14, 2018. AFP

Wearing Elie Saab to be named Fashion Icon Award Honoree at the 25th Annual QVC FFANY Shoes on Sale Gala on October 11, 2018. AFP

In a red Alexander Wang snake print dress, visits SiriusXM Studios, New York City on February 05, 2020. AFP

In a fuschia Alexander McQueen suit for Create & Cultivate Los Angeles at Rolling Greens Los Angeles on February 22, 2020, in California. AFP

In her 20-plus years in the public eye, Jessica Simpson has gone from a Daisy Dukes-wearing starlet, to a shrewd businesswoman with a fashion and beauty empire that has gone on to earn more than $1 billion.

She may have not known if tuna was chicken or fish on her 2003 stint on MTV reality show Newlyweds with her ex-husband Nick Lachey, but 17 years on, she certainly knows how to style a gown for a red carpet appearance.

Long gone are the jeans and crop-top combos, clashing two-piece sets, hot pants and Herve Leger bandage dresses. A modern Simpson, 41, has a more boho style away from the red carpet, but opts for elegant gowns, sharp suits and bold mini-dresses when she is on duty. She has worn designs by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, as well as an international roster of Alexander McQueen, Brandon Maxwell, Stella McCartney and Monique Lhuillier.

She is also known to wear her own Jessica Simpson designs for high-profile appearances.

Speaking of her styling and designing ethos in 2018, she said: “My philosophy has always been to follow my heart, be myself, and have a clear point of view and just do the right thing.

“To be honest, beauty comes from within and when I feel good in my own skin and the clothes that are covering my skin, I can project my best self.”

The Dukes of Hazzard actress is married to former NFL player Eric Johnson. The couple have three children, Maxwell, 9, Ace, 8, and Birdie, 2.

Simpson has been open about her battles with her weight, signing deals with Weight Watchers following her pregnancies. She has also recently spoken publicly about her battle with alcoholism, recently sharing a photo of an "unrecognisable version" of herself to mark four years of sobriety.

"The drinking wasn't the issue. I was. I didn't love myself. I didn't respect my own power. Today I do. I have made nice with the fears and I have accepted the parts of my life that are just sad," she wrote in the post.

"I own my personal power with soulful courage. I am wildly honest and comfortably open. I am free."