Eva Mendes Has Worn Some Spicy Outfits Over The Years

Hollywood is accustomed to bold and risque fashion statements, with actor-turned-designer Eva Mendes cultivating a daring sense of style early in her career. The Miami-born actor first gained fame in the early 2000s, appearing in movies like "Training Day" and "Hitch," while simultaneously garnering a reputation as a sex symbol – a status that was sometimes accentuated with her red carpet fashion. "I think at times I play up my sexiness. And there's times where I don't," she told NBC in 2014. "It's knowing when to use what you got." 

Mendes took a step back from acting in the early 2010s, launching a clothing line with New York & Company in 2013 and starting a family with fellow Hollywood figure Ryan Gosling shortly after. Since then, "The Place Beyond the Pines" actor has opened up about how her style has evolved alongside her career. "I got to a certain age where I didn't want to be as body-conscious, not from an insecure place at all," she told People in 2024. "It started happening gradually in my 30s where I didn't want that kind of attention anymore."

Either way, Mendes continues to bring confidence and glamour to her fashion, occasionally channeling the sexy vibes that characterized her early red carpet style. For those who love her sleek and saucy fashion, there's still plenty of style inspiration to be taken from the spicy outfits Mendes has worn over the years.

Eva Mendes mixed business with pleasure for the premiere of "All About the Benjamins" in 2002, demonstrating how to pull off a topless blazer moment with a classic black suit and sleek ponytail. She accessorized the all-black outfit with a snakeskin clutch, tiered earrings, and a chunky bracelet, opting for skinny brows and a nude-toned lip color. "Oh, God, this one is my first premiere[s] ever," she told Allure in 2010. "My publicist called up Armani, and they sent a suit." This risque premiere outfit is proof that Mendes knows how to spice up a timeless silhouette.

The gown that Eva Mendes wore to the world premiere of "Hitch" proves that you don't have to bare it all to spice up a look. While the actor's black gown features a generous V-neck, the dress's primary tease comes from the sheer, vertical panels along the bodice. These filmy bands transition into a classic, opaque bandage dress for the fitted skirt, dropping down into a breezy, A-line shape just above the knees. The "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" actor opted for a silvery eyeshadow, arched brows, and pink lip gloss, rounding out the look with strappy black heels and diamond studs. The ensemble isn't Mendes's most revealing, but it still proves that the star knows how to ace the sheer clothing trend.

The slinky golden dress that Eva Mendes wore to a 2006 Fashion Show Benefit ranks as one of our all-time favorites from the star. The Gucci gown featured a plunging, wrapped bodice that's pinned to the side with a golden brooch and paired with a loose, floor-length skirt. She styled the luxurious piece with a silver clutch and a golden station necklace, wearing her side-parted hair in loose curls around her shoulders and sporting pink-toned blush on her cheeks. Mendes definitely has a vibrant glow in this backless dress, with the golden silk complementing her skin tone while providing the ensemble with a luxurious feel.

Another spicy outfit comes for the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival, with Eva Mendes wearing a saucy leopard print dress to the event. The Dolce & Gabbana gown featured a fitted waist and V-shaped neckline, with "The Other Guys" actor teasing her lacy, black bra via the revealing decolletage. She accessorized with bangles and a statement ring, pulling her hair into a half-updo and sporting pink-toned cheeks and a subtle cat eye. While it can be difficult to pull off an animal-print ensemble, Mendes manages to look cool and confident in this chiffon gown, balancing the peek-a-boo bra moment with chic styling.

With looks ranging from classic and timeless to sexy and mysterious, plenty of celebrities have proven the versatility of the little black dress. Eva Mendes styled her own rendition of the closet staple at a special screening of "Holy Motors" in 2012, wearing a form-fitting Dolce & Gabbana piece made of inky lace. The designer garment featured a U-shaped neckline and lace three-quarter sleeves, elements that the Hollywood figure paired with emerald jewelry and a satin, gold-accented clutch from Sergio Rossi. This Mendes outfit once again demonstrates how a dress doesn't have to be super revealing to be smoldering, with the snug fit, dark color, and teasing neckline adding to the spiciness.