Wow, Style Has Changed a Lot on The Bachelor in the Past 15 Years

last updated 13 August 2019

Believe it or not, this week marks the 15th anniversary of everyone's favorite guilty pleasure show, The Bachelor. Host Chris Harrison commemorated the occasion with an Instagram post: "15 years ago it all began," he captioned the photo. "At the time this young man couldn't comprehend how life was about to change. Along the way I've worked with some amazing people and made some incredible friends."

While we're eagerly awaiting Rachel's new season of The Bachelorette, we decided to take a walk down memory lane, and see how contestants dressed on the very first season back in 2002—hint: It's very different from current seasons. From chunky flat sandals to tights, the women wore pieces that you'll rarely find on contestants today. What a difference 15 years makes!

Scroll down to see how style has changed on The Bachelor in the past 15 years.

2017

2002

For more style from The Bachelor, see how a dating expert rated the contestants' first episode dresses from Nick Viall's season.

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 14 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2015, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Kate and Meghan stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible.