Trista, the first Bachelorette ever, went with a low cut black halter for her 20+ first dates in one night. It was a relatively boring choice, but she could have worn a sack and still outshone all those ill-fitting suits. The early-aughts was a time when men didn't know how to dress. J.Crew had yet to teach them how and we can't blame them.

Photo: Craig Sjodin/ABC/Getty Images

Meredith wore a backless dress with crystal hardware here with a young Chris Harrison. Prior to reality fame, she worked as a model and makeup artist, and her outfits reflected that attention to style.

Photo: Craig Sjodin/ABC/Getty Images

Jen was reintroduced to the public as the new Bachelorette, rather than winner of The Bachelor, after she had split from her fiancé Andrew Firestone. The dress set a precedent for neutral gowns with a lot of twinkle, which makes a lasting impression on camera.

Photo: ABC

DeAnna saw Jen's gold dress and raised it lamé, a plunging neckline, and a belly-button flower detail. Even though she was upstaged by the stunt casted guy in the skater boy suit (which is insane!), it's still one of the more daring dresses the show has seen on its opening night.

Photo: Craig Sjodin/Getty Images

A white gown so early in the process says, "Hey. Hey, you. Marriage: Y/N/M?" She did not marry one of them but she did parlay her time on the show into a style blogging career, like so many reality stars both before and after her.

Photo: Adam Larkey/ABC/Getty Images

This is the sort of nothing outfit that will make JoJo's wardrobe on her season so welcome. Interestingly, Ali was a self-professed "tomboy" with little-to-no interest in fashion prior to her time on the show. Her dedication to Converse throughout is testament to her claim. She's said that over course of the season, she learned more and more about fashion, and now she's essentially a style blogger.

Photo: Craig Sjodin/ABC/Getty Images

Here's Ashley, coming out guns blazing with all-over sparkle. Around these later seasons is when we see ABC kick up the overall production value, starting with the outfits, but also with destination episodes (Thailand! China! Which followed Iceland, Istanbul, and Portugal in the previous season) and stuntier activities. The next sparkle reflects a show with more overall commitment to glitz and glamour.

Photo: Rick Rowell/ABC/Getty Images

Emily famously had the largest wardrobe budget in Bachelorette history. According to stylist Cary Fetman, her budget was $350,000 (and they went over). Her first date look was a $40,000 Randi Rahm gown and $1,045 Louboutins. Like a motivational poster I read once said, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so wear the GD $40k gown."

Photo: Craig Sjodin/ABC/Getty Images

Like Emily, Desiree's natural interest in fashion shined on the show. And like nearly every other lead, she capitalized on that interest for a post-show career. She designs bridal jewelry for KVBijou and wedding gowns for Maggie Sottero, plus helps others plan their weddings.

Photo: Rick Rowell/ABC/Getty Images

Andi was a great Bachelorette with strong personal style, but fell prey to a bad dress in the first episode. The gown is German brand Basler, and seemed like an odd choice, especially because many of her other rose ceremony dresses over the rest of the season were more familiar names like Badgley Mischka, Randi Rahm, Dolce & Gabbana, and Lanvin. After the show, she moved to New York from Atlanta and even landed a sponsorship deal with Dressbarn.

Photo: Rick Rowell/ABC/Getty Images

Kaitlyn described her style as "casual" and noted that she hates shopping. Still, they got her in a blue Badgley Mischka dress in the opening episode. At the time, the gown was available for purchase for well under a grand. The Bachelorette was getting better and better at showcasing current, shoppable clothing. In her post-show life, she's launched a lifestyle line that puts cute phrasing on T-shirts and mugs.

Photo: Rick Rowell/ABC/Getty Images

And now, for the latest season, which airs tonight at 9:00 p.m. EST, JoJo keeps the sparkle train rolling. Though no designer has come forward and claimed it, the gold mermaid gown looks like it came from the world of elevated prom looks, like those of Badgley Mischka, Marchesa, and the like.

Photo: Rick Rowell/ABC/Getty Images