If you look at pictures of Christina Hendricks from the last twenty years, you’ll notice something kind of weird. Or maybe not weird, just… rare. In an industry that usually demands its stars look like carbon copies of each other, she’s basically stayed the same. And I don’t mean she hasn’t aged—she’s 50 now—I mean she hasn’t changed her "vibe." That fiery red hair (which she’s actually been dyeing since she was ten because of Anne of Green Gables) and that unapologetic hourglass silhouette have become a sort of visual shorthand for old-school Hollywood glamour in a digital age.
Honestly, most people searching for her photos are looking for Joan Holloway. It’s been years since Mad Men went off the air, but the ghost of Sterling Cooper still follows her. But if you actually dig into her recent public appearances—like her 2024 wedding to George Bianchini or her press tour for Small Town, Big Story in early 2025—you see a much more complex style evolution than just "the lady in the pencil skirt."
Why those Mad Men stills still dominate your search results
It’s almost impossible to talk about her without mentioning those tight, jewel-toned dresses. Janie Bryant, the costume designer for Mad Men, didn't just dress Christina; she basically built a cultural icon. When you see those pictures of Christina Hendricks as Joan, you’re seeing a very specific type of "armor."
Joan’s clothes were always a size too small on purpose. It was a power move.
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But here’s what most people get wrong: Christina herself has often said she felt like she was playing a character who was constantly "performing" her womanhood. Off-camera, she’s way more into the "goth-lite" aesthetic. She grew up as a goth kid in Fairfax, Virginia, wearing leather jackets and purple hair. You can still see flashes of that in her red carpet choices today—lots of black lace, Vivienne Westwood (who she was a huge fan of), and darker, more "witchy" vibes than Joan would ever allow.
The 2024-2025 shift: A different kind of bombshell
Fast forward to the present day. If you’ve seen the latest pictures of Christina Hendricks from the 2025 London screening of Small Town, Big Story, you’ll notice she’s leaning into a "bohemian luxe" look. It’s less about the structural constraints of the 1960s and more about flowing fabrics and velvet.
- The Wedding Photos: Her April 2024 wedding in New Orleans was a massive style moment. She wore a custom Katya Katya gown that was basically a masterclass in lace. It wasn't the typical "sex symbol" dress people expected, which I think was a deliberate choice.
- The "Coquette" Era: Lately, she’s been photographed in a lot of "coquette" style outfits—think lacy collars, puffy sleeves, and a lot of black-and-white contrast. It’s a bit of a nod to the Poor Things aesthetic.
- The Bob: She recently chopped her long waves into a sharp, chin-length bob. It completely changes her facial structure in photos, making her look more like a 1920s flapper than a 1960s office manager.
What photographers say about working with her
I’ve talked to a few editorial photographers who’ve shot her for magazines like Harper’s Bazaar and Esquire. They all say the same thing: she’s a "one-take" wonder. Because she started as a model in the 90s (she actually moved to New York at 18 to do it professionally), she knows exactly where her light is.
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Most celebrities today rely on heavy filtering or very specific "safe" angles. Christina doesn't. She’s famously been vocal about how frustrating it was early in her career when people only wanted to talk about her body. In 2026, looking back at her portfolio, it’s clear she’s reclaimed that narrative. She uses her silhouette as a tool, not a cage.
The "Discover" Factor: Why she keeps popping up
You’ve probably seen her in your Google Discover feed lately. Why? Because she’s having a "prestige TV" renaissance. Between The Buccaneers on Apple TV+ and her new projects, she’s staying relevant to a younger audience that didn't even watch Mad Men when it first aired.
The internet loves a "signature look." In a world of "clean girl" aesthetics and beige minimalism, her vibrant red hair and dramatic fashion choices make for high-click-rate thumbnails. It’s basically visual caffeine.
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How to actually use her style as inspiration (The Actionable Part)
If you're looking at pictures of Christina Hendricks to figure out your own wardrobe, don't just go out and buy a pencil skirt. That's the amateur move. Instead, look at the tailoring.
- Embrace the "Nip": Almost every iconic photo of her features a garment that is perfectly fitted at the narrowest part of her waist. Whether it's a belt or a seam, that's the anchor point.
- Color Theory: She almost never wears "blah" colors. It’s always saturated greens, deep purples, or stark blacks. If you have high-contrast features, take a page out of her book and stop wearing pastels.
- The Power of the Updo: Notice how often she clears her hair away from her neck when she’s wearing a high neckline? It’s a trick to prevent looking "buried" in fabric.
Instead of just scrolling through galleries, pay attention to the textures she chooses. She often mixes heavy velvets with sheer silks. It’s that contrast that makes the photos pop. Moving forward, keep an eye on her appearances in the 2026 awards season; early word on her latest performance suggests she’ll be back on the red carpet in a big way, likely debuting a new "darker" aesthetic that moves even further away from the Joan Holloway shadow.
The best way to track this evolution is to follow the specific photographers she works with regularly, like Allen Berezovsky or the Getty Images editorial team, who tend to capture her in more candid, less "staged" moments that show her actual personal style.