Denise Richards is addressing criticism over her courtroom wardrobe as she continues her divorce proceedings with estranged husband Aaron Phypers. In a recent Instagram video, the actress gave followers a glimpse of her early morning routine before heading to court, joking about starting her day before sunrise and explaining that the attention surrounding the case has affected how she chooses to dress. Richards said the media presence outside court has made her more conscious of her appearance, especially since she believes Phypers often ensures the press are there. She said preparing outfits for legal appearances has become unexpectedly stressful and noted that people have focused on her leather clothing choices. Richards defended a fitted Gucci leather pencil skirt she wore to court, saying the look was not unusual or intimidating for her. She added that she does not own many formal suits, making it difficult to style outfits for court in the way others might expect. Her look included the leather skirt with Gucci horsebit detailing and a fitted black long-sleeved bodysuit, matching her sleek personal style. Online fans quickly praised the outfit, calling her beautiful, classy and authentic, with many encouraging her as she navigates the divorce.
Richards has faced attention for her fashion choices before. When she married Phypers in 2018, she wore a lace romper with a detachable tulle skirt instead of a traditional wedding gown, a decision that drew public discussion at the time. She previously said the unconventional outfit was intentional because she wanted something different for her second wedding. Designer Mark Zunino helped bring the idea to life in less than 24 hours. Richards said she chose a playful and confident look that fit a Malibu beach wedding and that she stopped paying attention to online criticism years ago.
The actress has also recently spoken about her appearance and health. In March, she confirmed that she had undergone a facelift eight months earlier and said she had wanted to keep it private until Phypers publicly revealed it. In an interview, Richards said she had been recovering and was upset that her surgery became public before she was ready to discuss it. She also previously revealed that she suffered a painful breast implant rupture while filming “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,” which led to corrective surgery. Richards later shared her recovery process with fans and said she felt renewed confidence after the operation.
