50 of the most iconic red-carpet looks in Grammys history
The 66th Grammy Awards are on Sunday, February 4.
In honor of the show, we've picked the most iconic red-carpet looks in Grammys history.
Cardi B has consistently turned looks at the Grammys over the last few years.
At the 1972 Grammys, Aretha Franklin wore a head-to-toe orange ensemble.
When Franklin took home her seventh and eighth Grammys, she did so in style. Harper's Bazaar named this one of the most iconic Grammys looks of all time, and called her red-and-gold gown and matching head scarf "stunning."
At the 1974 ceremony, Cher looked like a fairy princess with her butterfly clip and detailing on her top.
Cher attended the 16th Grammy Awards to present Stevie Wonder with the album of the year statue for "Innervisions."
Dolly Parton certainly brought cowboy chic to the 1977 Grammys.
Cowboys may have made a comeback in the last few years thanks to Lil Nas X, the yodeling Walmart boy, and Kacey Musgraves' love of yeehaws, but Parton's outfit here shows us that she's been the Yeehaw Queen longer than any of those people have been alive.
That night, she was nominated for best country vocal performance but lost to Emmylou Harris.
Grace Jones' bold hat and matching outfit at the 1983 Grammys is only outdone by her jewel-toned makeup.
The legendary multi-hyphenate has had no shortage of memorable looks during her decades in Hollywood, but this leather/straw ensemble is one of our favorites.
She'd get nominated for her one and only Grammy the following year, best video album, for "A One Man Show."
Michael Jackson's bedazzled military jacket, one white glove, and aviators at the 1984 Grammys are all part of one of his most famous looks of all time.
Although Jackson has a complicated legacy in regards to his personal life, his musical and fashion successes cannot be ignored. This night, he took home a record-breaking eight Grammys from 12 nominations, including record and album of the year for "Beat It" and "Thriller," respectively.
His look was designed by his longtime costume designer, Michael Bush, who told People that Jackson was interested in "British regalia show clothes — over the top military themed items."
At the 1988 ceremony, Prince proved that no one was more flamboyant than him, wearing a polka-dot suit with matching high-heeled boots.
That night, the "Purple Rain" singer was up for three awards, and though he didn't win any that night, he solidified his legacy in regards to Grammys fashion with this custom ensemble.
There's never been a more late '80s fashion moment than Paula Abdul's monochromatic look (with matching golden scrunchie) at the 1990 ceremony.
Abdul was up for her first Grammy that night, for "Straight Up," and she looked every bit the new star in her matching golden outfit, from shoes to purse to dress to jewelry to scrunchie. She basically looks like another Grammy statue.
Mariah Carey defined the little-black-dress trend at the 1991 ceremony.
Carey was just 20 years old when she made her Grammys red-carpet debut in 1991 — that night, she won best new artist in this slinky black minidress with a silver neckline and straps.
Selena channeled old Hollywood glamour at the 1994 Grammys.
Selena took home her first Grammy that night for best Mexican-American album — and until 2021, it was sadly her only win. In 2021, she was posthumously honored with a lifetime achievement award.
"Selena would have been very excited for this honor, just like she was when she won her Grammy back in 1994," her father told People.
Not many people can pull off a turtleneck gown, but Shania Twain did at the 1994 Grammys.
The dress, designed by Marc Bouwer, is covered in sparkles and certainly makes a statement.
The following year, Twain would celebrate her first win and three nominations, including best new artist.
Mary J. Blige's leopard-print ensemble at the 1996 Grammys is still in style today.
Just a couple of years ago, one of the biggest trends of the summer was the leopard midi-skirt, as The New York Times reported, proving that Blige was ahead of her time.
At this ceremony, the R&B legend won her first Grammy for "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By."
In total, she has nine wins and 37 nominations.
In 1997, Lauryn Hill wore this red and white color-blocked ensemble to the Grammys.
In addition to this color-block look (which would still be trendy today), Hill's beauty look cannot be ignored.
Allure called this one of the best Grammy beauty looks of all time, writing, "Rocking deep brown lipstick, a light, smoky eye, and sleek, chin-length twists, the 'Killing Me Softly' songstress looked every bit the part of a Hollywood heavy-hitter."
Jada Pinkett Smith's baby bump sparkled at the 1998 ceremony in this two-toned gown.
The "Girl's Trip" actress was there to support her then-boyfriend Will Smith who won a Grammy for his song from "Men in Black." She was pregnant with their son, Jaden.
Jennifer Lopez's Versace dress at the 2000 Grammy Awards is one of the most iconic dresses of all time.
In 2000, the plunging Versace dress became so popular that it sparked the creation of Google Images, according to Vogue UK.
Google's executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, confirmed that people kept searching for photos of the dress immediately after the award show, so the company decided to create an image search engine.
"The dress went viral before viral was a thing," CNN wrote in 2020 after the musician wore an updated version of the dress at a Versace fashion show.
In addition to creating Google Images, Lopez was also nominated for her first Grammy that night.
Britney Spears had the perfect winter-white look at the 2000 ceremony.
That year, Spears was nominated for best new artist and best female pop vocal performance for "... Baby One More Time."
She also rocked a Randolph Duke gown and Oscar de la Renta stole in a classy, timeless look that was even channeled by Lizzo in 2020.
All other participants in the naked dress trend can only try to measure up to Toni Braxton's barely-there look at the 2001 Grammys.
Braxton's loincloth-esque gown, which is essentially two pieces of fabric held together by a sparkly strap, was designed by Richard Tyler. She was wearing it when she garnered her sixth overall Grammy for "He Wasn't Man Enough."
That same year, Destiny's Child rocked matching green outfits. They wouldn't have looked out of place in the Garden of Eden.
Their dresses were designed by Tina Knowles (Beyoncé's mom). In fact, Knowles designed all of their iconic looks, according to Grazia Daily. That night, the girl group took home statues for their song "Say My Name."
Kanye West's 2006 Grammys look — a purple suit with giant lapels, white golf gloves, and chrome sunglasses — wouldn't look that out of place in 2024.
West, never one to shy away from bold fashion choices, made quite a splash with his lavender tux. However, as pastels have come back into style, this look wouldn't be quite so wild in 2024.
The rapper received three wins that night, including best rap album.
At the 2009 Grammys, MIA wore a sheer dress with choice polka-dot patches on the red carpet.
MIA rocked another version of the naked dress when she took to the Grammys red carpet in 2009 wearing a House of Holland design. At the time, Glamour posited that this dress could be a turning point in maternity wear, which had traditionally been dowdy.
She was nominated for record of the year for her smash hit "Paper Planes."
Lady Gaga's neon-yellow hair and celestial dress at the 2010 Grammys will go down in awards show history.
The "Paparazzi" singer was really hitting her stride in 2010 — in this Armani Privé design at the Grammys, she almost looks like a cartoon character who wouldn't be out of place on "Steven Universe."
"I am honored to be wearing Armani this evening. The series of pieces Mr. Armani created for me are truly iconic; they represent not only beautiful fashion, but my spirit and essence as an artist. Mr. Armani is a fashion legend, and tonight would not have been the same without his touch, and his wonderful team," Gaga said in a press release of Armani at the time, reported the Los Angeles Times.
She was wearing this creation when she won her first two Grammys that night.
Rihanna's see-through striped gown at the 2011 Grammys almost looks like an optical illusion.
Rihanna won her fourth Grammy while wearing this new take on the naked dress designed by Jean Paul Gaultier.
Fergie wore a lacy orange dress with black undergarments at the 2012 ceremony.
Fergie's eye-catching gown was also designed by Jean Paul Gaultier. "I had two choices," she told E! News' Ryan Seacrest. "This was the safe one."
That night, she was up for two Grammys for her part in Kanye West's song "All of the Lights."
We wish Adele would stray from her typical all-black ensembles more often, like she did at the 2013 Grammys in this red floral look.
The patterned frock and matching pumps were designed by Valentino. In her career, Adele has won 16 of her 25 Grammy nominations, including her 2015 win for best pop solo performance.
Katy Perry wore this show-stopping seafoam-green dress on the 2013 red carpet.
Perry was up for her ninth potential Grammy win (she's still yet to win from 13 nominations) when she wore this Gucci dress, which gives off Priscilla Presley vibes, as the Huffington Post noted.
In 2014, Beyoncé wore this sheer lace gown while attending the ceremony.
The "Renaissance" artist changed into this lace Michael Costello gown after performing "Drunk In Love" with her husband, Jay-Z.
That night, the married couple were up for a different duet, "Part II (On the Run)."
Rihanna's puffy, pink, tiered gown at the 2015 ceremony left us speechless.
Leaving the best for last, Rihanna was the last person to arrive at the 2015 red carpet, wearing this overwhelming Giambattista Valli gown. She told Ryan Seacrest that she found the dress while scrolling online, according to Harper's Bazaar.
She won a Grammy that night for her song with Eminem, "The Monster."
Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez took BFF goals to a whole new level when they were each other's dates to the 2016 Grammys.
Gomez's navy-blue sparkling gown was designed by Calvin Klein, while Swift's two-toned set is Versace.
Gomez was on hand to celebrate with her friend when she took home three Grammys: album of the year, best pop vocal album, and best music video.
Rihanna makes her third appearance on this list for her tattoo-bearing crop top and billowing black skirt at the 2017 ceremony.
The custom Armani Privé ensemble was once again a show-stopper for the singer, who was up for eight Grammys that night.
Cardi B made her Grammys debut in 2018, wearing a customarily bold white gown.
The Ashi Studio dress featured "a voluminous skirt with a high-low hem, structured off-the-shoulder sleeves," according to Glamour.
The "Bodak Yellow" rapper proved she was a fashion heavy-hitter and a rap heavy-hitter, as she was nominated for her first two Grammys that night.
Also that night, Miley Cyrus channeled her inner princess after a performance with Elton John.
Cyrus loves to take fashion risks, but perhaps her biggest risk of all was wearing this magenta ball gown designed by Zac Posen, easily the most traditional look she'd worn on the red carpet in years.
SZA looked absolutely ethereal on the red carpet in 2018.
SZA's dreamy silver gown with ornate beading and tulle was designed by Atelier Versace. "We wanted something that was sexy, but at the same time soft and whimsical," her stylist told Vogue.
She was nominated for five Grammys that night, including best new artist.
Cardi B looked like the pearl inside an oyster on the 2019 red carpet.
Cardi B wore this vintage Mugler gown, which resembles an oyster, while she was encrusted in pearls.
That night, she won her first Grammy for best rap album.
Before the pandemic shut down all red carpets, Ariana Grande wore a bold gray gown at the 2020 Grammys.
The singer capped off an incredible two years by wearing a custom Giambattista Valli gown fit for a princess.
She was almost immediately crowned the best dressed of the night, with The Zoe Report writing, "The silvery gray masterpiece resembled actual clouds, featuring endless tiers of lovely ruffles. Grande truly looked every bit the pop princess."
Billy Porter wore a remote-controlled fringed hat and matching fringed bodysuit on the 2020 red carpet.
Porter has been a recent star of the red carpet, and his Grammys look did not disappoint. At the touch of a button, Porter's hat's fringe moved around the brim, covering his face. The entire look was designed by Scott Studenberg.
Lil Nas X's neon-pink outfit in 2020 was instantly iconic.
Lil Nas X's cowboy look was a custom design by Versace, and a bold way for him to make his Grammy debut. He took home his first two wins that night.
Lizzo was giving old Hollywood glam in 2020.
The all-white look was designed by Versace.
Billie Eilish's lime-green Gucci suit remains one of her most famous looks.
Eilish, who had a landmark evening and took home five Grammys (best new artist, album of the year, best pop vocal album, record of the year, and song of the year), did it all in style.
She rocked a Gucci suit with green accents that matched her neon roots and her subtle green sneakers.
At the 2021 Grammys, all eyes were on Beyoncé's all-leather look with gold-tipped gloves.
To become the most-decorated musician in Grammys history — she has 32 wins — Beyoncé rocked a leather custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture dress, according to People.
Dua Lipa looked like a sparkling butterfly in her chain-mail dress with a thigh-high slit.
Lipa appeared to take inspiration from Cher's 1974 butterfly look with her 2021 dress, which was designed by Versace.
As UK Vogue reported, the dress' twinkly vibes were inspired by aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, and it was covered in Swarovski crystals.
Phoebe Bridgers' took her skeleton obsession to the next level with this long-sleeved gown.
According to People, Bridgers revealed on the red carpet that her penchant for skeleton costumes was actually inspired by this Thom Brown dress, so she finally asked to wear the original for the Grammys.
Harry Styles' leather suit and feathery green boa were much discussed.
Styles' look was designed, as usual, by Gucci. He performed his Grammy-winning song "Watermelon Sugar" in the outfit, at one point tossing his boa off to the side.
Justin Bieber went for an oversize suit and a pink beanie at the 2022 Grammys.
His oversized look spawned many a meme.
Doja Cat walked the carpet in a robin-egg-blue sheer dress and spiky hair.
The custom Versace dress was embroidered with crystals and took 475 hours to make. She paired it with a glass purse filled with candy.
Dua Lipa's black-and-gold bondage-inspired dress was a showstopper.
Lipa took inspiration from Cindy Crawford, who made the Versace dress famous back in 1992 at the MTV VMAs. She switched out Crawford's red ribbon for many layered, chunky gold chains.
Lenny Kravitz proved he's still one of the coolest to ever do it in this silver mesh top and leather pants.
He finished off the look with a pair of heeled boots and his trademark oversize shades.
Styles attended the 2023 Grammys in a multi-colored, crystal-encrusted, checkered one-piece.
Styles took home album of the year that night for "Harry's House," which spawned a lot of controversy.
What isn't controversial though, is his commitment to his personal style, like this jumpsuit designed by his long-time friend Harry Lambert.
Shania Twain was impossible to miss in this polka-dot ensemble with a fire-engine red wig.
The bold look was designed by Harris Reed.
Kacey Musgraves' pink feather cape and matching catsuit kicked off a year of Barbiecore.
Barbiecore, inspired by "Barbie" and a general love of girlhood, was one of the biggest trends of last year.
Cardi B once again looked like a living piece of art in this royal-blue gown.
The architectural gown was designed by Gaurav Gupta.
Kim Petras and Sam Smith rolled up to the Grammys with a squad clad in all red.
Petras and Smith were there to perform their soon-to-be Grammy-winning collaboration "Unholy."
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