As mature women maintain their fashionable reputations by keeping up with trends in contemporary society, major fashion brands have even scouted older models to prove age is just a number when it comes to fashion. In 2026, Jacquemus announced its first-ever brand ambassador: the designer's 80-year-old grandmother, Liline. In a world where older women are pressured to dress their age, Smart's fashion choices prove she is confronting aging with confidence. The actor has traded her outdated '80s bouffant for a trendy pixie cut, one of the perfect hairstyles for showing off gray hair.
Like most young women in the 1980s, Jean Smart donned a bouffant and showed up to numerous events wearing the voluminous look. While her hair was considered trendy, the actor's wardrobe could have used an upgrade. In 1987, Smart was pictured wearing a light blue tracksuit and smiling next to fellow legendary actor Annie Potts. The tracksuit combined satin with velour and was a complete contrast to the sportswear that was considered fashionable in the late '80s. At the "Princess Mononoke" premiere in 1997, Jean Smart showcased her shorter hair. The actor turned up to the event wearing a gray pantsuit and strappy metallic heels. Well into her 40s, she posed on the red carpet in a statement pearl necklace. The strand of pearls hung loosely around her neck, nearly reaching her waist. In 2001, Jean Smart took to the stage at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards after winning Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Lana Gardner in NBC's "Frasier." The actor attended the ceremony clad in a velvet gown. The navy dress featured crystal embellishments and a deep neckline. By layering the velvet number with a lime green lace cape, Smart transformed the outfit into one of her most colorful looks.
From Bouffants to Pixie Cuts: A Graduation in Hairstyling
Jean Smart was right on trend when she attended the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2006, wearing a dress that looked like it was deliberately crinkled (ruched dresses were all the rage in the early aughts, and bunched fabrics were often used by designers to create sculpting gowns). The actor was glowing as she stepped on to the red carpet wearing a crinkled blue-gray maxi dress and minimal accessories. What better way to prove fashion has no age limit than by twinning with a 26-year-old in your 70s?
In 2021, Jean Smart attended the Women in Film Honors wearing a matching tuxedo with her "Hacks" co-star, Hannah Einbinder. The pair mirrored each other's looks from head to toe, even opting for the same style of shoes. Their twinning look made headlines, and any subtle differences, including Smart's open shirt and gray shoes, went largely unnoticed. By 2025, Smart arrived at the Tony Awards wearing a black bodycon gown with a sash, crystal chandelier earrings, and a black satin clutch, later presenting the Best Actor in a Play award with Sarah Paulson. Under a photo of Smart at the event posted on X, fans flooded the comments, expressing their admiration. "I'm speechless," one person wrote.
In 2025, her appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" showcased her embracing her graying natural hair color. The actor walked out for her interview wearing denim jeans, a white shirt, and smart shoes. While she kept her outfit relatively simple, the minimal look drew attention to her hair, and the media couldn't take its eyes off her new pixie cut. In 2026, Smart hopped on the "balletcore" trend when she stepped out in New York City wearing ballet-inspired sneakers. Mary Jane flats have been a major trend in recent years, particularly styles with a strap or buckle. The actor styled her ballet flats with a black floral pantsuit and topped off the look with a glamorous comb-over that was perfectly complemented by a pair of pearl earrings.
At the Golden Globes in 2026, Jean Smart took home her third trophy for her hilarious portrayal of Deborah Vance in HBO's "Hacks." The actor posed in a white Laura Basci gown, featuring balloon sleeves that ended in statement cuffs and crystal embellishments that formed a striking centerpiece. The dress swooped into a deep V-neck and flowed to her ankles, covering her heels. Smart topped off the angelic gown with a metallic clutch, Rahaminov diamond earrings, and a glamorous updo. Getting a fresh haircut isn’t only a mood-booster - it can also help shed years from your overall appearance. Not ready to make a big snip? Even making a little tweak can be age defying. To see this for yourself, we gathered 13 of our favorite before and after photos of real-life women who were shot for our sister publication First for Women, real-life women whose stylists posted their photos on Instagram and photos of celebrities.
How the Pixie Cut and Gray Hair Became a Signature
1. “Hair that’s all one length and falls way past the shoulders ends up pulling the eye down and causing features to take on a droopier appearance,” says Igor Santos, a hairstylist at Christo Fifth Avenue Salon in New York City, who transformed Elizabeth Clayton’s look. 2. Wioletta Krygowska took her locks from limp to luscious with this shaggy cut by hairstylist Ammon Carver, who’s worked with Kate Beckinsale and Molly Sims. Thanks goes to the style’s texture from choppy layers throughout. 3. A layered, ear-length crop as shown on Margo Feltman above creates volume at the crown that conceals any thinner spots. 4. A short, bob style that ends right below the ear is not only the perfect low-maintenance haircut that takes 5 minutes to style, it’s also ultra-flattering. 5. Layers beautifully frame the face and make hair look thicker by giving strands youthful movement. 6. This short bob directs the eye vertically, pulling eyes and cheeks with it. 7. A slanted crop not only removes dead, scraggly ends to restore shine to hair, but it also visually lifts features like eyes and cheekbones. 8. “This shorter style on Jean Smart draws focus upward so features look lifted and youthful, while also visually elongating and slimming the face,” says hairstylist Carrie Butterworth. 9. Heidi Klum above is proof of how snipping in bangs and face-framing layers can take long locks from blah to beautiful. 10. Another flattering and anti-aging pixie cut? One that’s tapered like Maye Musk’s! 11. Cropping long locks to shoulder length like Jennifer Garner did works wonders to turn back the clock, says hairstylist Kendall Dorsey. 12. Removing 3-4 inches as shown on Regina Hall above can make all the difference to elongate the face. 13. To take the focus off of harsh features, swapping to a shorter cut with flippy ends like Claire Danes can draw attention to hair and optically soften any harsh angles.
Even better? Jean Smart just reminded me of why I absolutely love a gray hair moment. The Hacks actress appeared on an episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers on Aug. 7 looking extra casual in an oversized white button down shirt, wide leg blue jeans, and sneakers. But I found myself just as in love with her gray pixie cut as I was her comfy wardrobe. Smart stopped by the talk show to discuss her one-woman Broadway show Call Me Izzy. For the segment, she wore her hair in a slightly grown-out pixie cut with a side part and soft curls. Her gray hair also looked a bit grown out or like it had an ombré effect, with the color being darker at the roots and blending into a more silver shade.
It's always refreshing to see a woman in Hollywood embracing her silver and gray color rather than covering up the roots. Over the last year, some of the biggest celebrity hair moments have included bold cuts and color changes like blunt bobs, wolf cuts, blonde hair colors, and soft highlights, but plenty of women have also been proudly showcasing their gray hair. Kathy Bates wore a headful of silver curls during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Phylicia Rashad wore gray micro braids. And don't get me started on all the women who wore gray hair to the Golden Globes earlier this year.
If Jean Smart or any other aforementioned celebrity is inspiring you to grow out your gray roots-or to dye your hair gray all over-there are a few products you'll need in your inventory to maintain the color and ensure your hair stays in optimal health. For something a little less permanent, you can opt for a color depositing mask. Purple shampoos are often associated with blonde hair, but they're also good to have on hand for gray hair. It's always nice to follow any shampoo with a color-friendly conditioner. A bonding treatment helps restore weak or damaged hair from the inside out. Jean Smart looks gorgeous with this well styled pixie cut that is full of layers of volume that you are going to love! The layers help to frame her face and draw attention to her stunning facial features. You want to ensure that the layers are cut to suit your specific face shape. To finish this look off, Jean has lifted her roots with some product. By lifting your roots in a pixie cut hairstyle, it instantly adds volume and dimension to short hair, preventing the style from looking flat. Root lift gives the cut more movement and texture, making it appear fuller and more dynamic. It also helps emphasize the shape of the pixie, drawing attention to facial features like the eyes and cheekbones. Plus, lifted roots create a modern, effortlessly styled look that enhances confidence and personality. The subtle waves at the ends of her hair frames her neck area to perfection and helps to draw attention to her statement earrings. Jean Smart also allowed a piece of her hair to cascade just above her eyebrow to balance the overall look while softening the edges of her forehead area. When it comes to your makeup application of this hairstyle, you need to keep in mind that this is an open style so your skin application needs to be flawless. False lashes are ideal for formal events because they draw attention to your eyes. Add some blush to your cheeks for some added color and finish off with a lipstick color that suits your skin tone.
Jean Smart sits down in front of her computer for this Zoom in full glam-and a bathrobe. It’s the middle of a busy press day for season three of Hacks, and since our interview isn’t being recorded for video, she doesn’t think twice. “We were trying to figure out what to do with my hair, and I didn’t have time to redress,” the five-time Emmy award winner says. If any story sums up the 72-year-old stage and screen actor, it’s this one. Disarmingly charming and open, the mother of two best known for her critically acclaimed roles on Designing Women, Frasier, Fargo, Mare of Easttown, 24, Watchmen, and now Hacks, isn’t afraid to lay it all out there.
For Smart, that doesn’t just mean having the time of her life on Hacks, but encompasses unlearning so many of the lessons engrained in her growing up. From people-pleasing and letting go of regret, she’s more at peace than ever before. And now, for Glamour’s Icon Only feature, she’s opening up about why she wishes she’d been more appreciative of her ensemble hit sitcom, Designing Women, welcoming a second child in her late 50s, and making the first move with the man who would become her husband.
Glamour: How do you feel about being called an icon? Jean Smart: It’s still kind of weird, but it also makes me feel like I’m up on Mount Rushmore. Definitely Hacks. And also when I was nominated for a Tony on Broadway. The Man Who Came to Dinner with Nathan Lane was a huge thrill. I think all actors fantasize about winning a Tony. The rest, including Fargo and Watchmen, are standouts for me.
As for lessons, she emphasizes unlearning people-pleasing and embracing the now. “Talk about a wake-up call,” she says. “You realize how short life really is.”
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