New "American Idol" judge Ellen DeGeneres made her long-awaited debut last night, offering a mix of laughs and criticism for the first day of Hollywood Week. What did the television host and comedian chose to wear on such an important eve as this? An unfortunate denim-on-denim ensemble, otherwise known as the "Texas Tuxedo"! Now, by no means am I suggesting the usually casual Ellen should have donned a ball gown, but I expect a little more from the fun, funky lady than a jean jacket paired with jeans. Was her appearance sponsored by Levi's?
Unfortunately, Ellen is just one celebrity in a long line of all-denim offenders. Keep reading for our short history of the ghastly jean-on-jean phenomenon.
Perhaps the most infamous denim offense in recent pop-culture history was committed by not one, but two mega-stars simultaneously! Pop power couple Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake unironically showed up to the 2001 American Music Awards sporting matching denim ensembles. Britney was more country than rock 'n' roll in a sweetheart neckline, patchwork denim gown. And, of course, she accessorized with a denim clutch. Justin somehow managed to be the bigger fashion victim here, quite literally wearing denim head-to-toe. The clincher is really that denim cowboy hat. Seriously, Justin? You will never bring sexy back in a lid like that.
Even by the end of the aughts, stars continued to favor similar denim catastrophes. Check out Emile Hirsch, who walked the "Speed Racer" red carpet in 2008 wearing a jean jacket, frayed jeans and a white tee. I think he was going for James Dean, but he landed much closer to prison inmate in this sad, sad outfit. Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz wore similar duds last year, though he opted for black jeans instead. The bow tie and pocket square do nothing to gussy up this ugly outfit.
Click on any of the photos above to see our entire flipbook of Texas Tuxedo traumas, including Jennifer Lopez, Christina Milian and Kanye West.