Alba was given the lead role on Fox's "Dark Angel" where she was forced to wear raunchy outfits in order to appeal to the show's predominantly male audience, reported Us magazine.
"I had a show that premiered when I was 19. And right away, everyone formed a strong opinion about me because of the way I was marketed. I was supposed to be sexy, this tough action girl. That's what people expected," said Alba.
Even when she dressed demurely for red carpet events, Alba's body took center stage. "I felt like I was being objectified, and it made me uncomfortable. I wanted to be chic and elegant!"
The 31-year-old actress - mother to daughters Honor, 4, and Haven, 9 months, with husband Cash Warren, 33 - admitted her transition from sex symbol to style icon didn't happen overnight.
"Now that I'm older, I've learned how to own it, but I'm still not very overt. There are some women who dress for men. I dress for myself. It took me some time to get here. Being a mom and feeling grown-up have helped. Now if I'm going to wear something short, it has to have a high neck or a little sci-fi toughness to it, an edge."