Fans can always count on stars to push the envelope when it comes to their style at the Grammy Awards. Every year, the most beloved musicians gather to celebrate one another’s outstanding accomplishments, while often donning the most outrageous outfits on the carpet.
From daring silhouettes from stars like Jennifer Lopez and Toni Braxton, to truly head-turning contraptions (we’re looking at you, Lady Gaga), there’s always an ensemble that captures attention and goes down in Grammys history.
Ahead, we look back at some of the most memorable style moments over the years in anticipation of this year’s 2023 Grammy Awards, airing Sunday, Feb. 5. With a potential record-breaking moment for Beyoncé, and stars including Kendrick Lamar, Brandi Carlile, Harry Styles, Mary J. Blige, Adele, Doja Cat and Lizzo all up for nominations, this year’s red carpet is going to be good.
Below, GRAZIA USA rounded up the most memorable Grammy Awards outfits of all time.
Aretha Franklin, 1972
The late, great Aretha Franklin snagged her Grammy at the 1972 ceremony in a red gown with gold embellishments and a coordinating headscarf.
Cher, 1974
Always one to flex an abs-baring ensemble, Cher wore her now-iconic two-piece butterfly-emblazoned set, featuring a white halter top, low-rise skirt, sheer shawl and coordinating butterfly hair clip.
Dolly Parton, 1977
Rocking her signature blonde bouffant in 1977, Dolly Parton’s pink crystal-covered get-up, with embellished vest encapsulated the country-glam style she’s known for today.
Grace Jones, 1983
Grace Jones brought her high-fashion style to the Grammys in 1983 wearing a sculptural ensemble with draped cape and extreme wide-brim matching hat.
Paula Abdul, 1990
Paula Abdul packed fringe, sheer cutouts and crystal embellishments in her gold mini dress at the 1990 Grammys, which she topped off with gold bangles, gold clutch, and, you guessed it, a gold scrunchie.
Aretha Franklin, 1992
Aretha Franklin’s animal-print trench with matching fur-trimmed hand muff wasn’t even the most interesting part of her look when we caught site of her oversize diamond drop earrings.
Mary J. Blige, 1996
Mary J. Blige took home the Grammy Award in head-to-toe leopard print in 1996.
TLC, 1996
The “No Scrubs” girl group TLC made the most of their debut appearance at the Grammys, with T-Boz, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, and Chilli bringing home two awards in coordinating white two-piece outfits.
Lil’ Kim, 1998
Always one to shock with her style choices, Lil’ Kim opted for a black tube top, iridescent tights, a sheer sparkling jacket, and black gloves to accompany her blonde bouffant.
Madonna, 1999
After wearing this fire engine red kimono by Jean Paul Gaultier in her “Nothing Really Matters” music video, she pulled it out again to perform at the 1999 Grammy Awards.
Jennifer Lopez, 2000
Before “breaking the internet” was a term, Jennifer Lopez’s plunging jungle-print Versace dress actually inspired the creation of Google’s Image search (and had many recreations in the years to come).
Britney Spears, 2000
Britney Spears wowed in white at the 2000 Grammy Awards, clad in a white Randolph Duke gown and matching shawl.
Christina Aguilera, 2001
Shimmering in Versace chainmail, the “Genie in a Bottle“ singer was the first to don a bedazzled butterfly dress, which Dua Lipa later reinterpreted with her 2021 Grammys Versace butterfly dress.
Destiny’s Child, 2001
Always known for their outfit coordination, Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé and Michelle Williams took home their Grammys in three shimmering green get-ups designed by Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles.
Toni Braxton, 2001
Nabbing the Grammy for best female R&B vocal performance, Toni Braxton’s revealing Richard Tyler dress has gone down as one of the most risqué dresses to take the red carpet.
Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Mya, 2002
Dressed in their burlesque costumes after performing their rendition of Lady Marmalade from Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film Moulin Rouge!, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Mya, and Lil’ Kim (not pictured) brought home the Grammy.
Missy Elliot, 2003
Missy Elliot brought home the Grammy for Best Female Rap Solo Performance at the 2003 awards show, keeping it casual in a pale pink bedazzled Adidas tracksuit, Adidas sneakers, gold chain necklace and a matching pink bandana beneath her fuzzy pink driver’s cap.
Lady Gaga, 2010
Clad in Armani Privé, Lady Gaga’s 2010 intergalactic Grammy’s ensemble appeared otherworldly.
Lady Gaga, 2011
For the 2011 Grammy Awards, Lady Gaga was carried down the red carpet encased in an egg (you read that right) then hatched from the look on stage in a yellow latex crop top, skirt, matching jacket and hat. Ahead of hitting the carpet the singer tweeted that her performance look was in collaboration with Hussein Chalayan and House of Mugler.
Nicki Minaj, 2012
Dramatically cloaked in red Versace alongside a faux-pope, rapper Nicki Minaj took the term “fashion statement” to the next level.
Miley Cyrus, 2015
Nominated for her Bangerz album, Miley Cyrus committed to some extreme cutouts in Alexandre Vauthier Couture.
Rihanna, 2015
Going on to inspire countless memes, Rihanna’s fantastical Giambattista Valli Haute Couture pink gown made the Anti star look like a princess.
Beyoncé, 2017
Beyoncé brought home the Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album for Lemonade, in an intricate gold Peter Dundas gown.
Cardi B, 2019
Making a case for vintage, Cardi B looked ethereal in Thierry Mugler‘s iconic “Birth of Venus” dress from the designer’s Fall/Winter 1995 Couture collection.
Billy Porter, 2020
Pose‘s Billy Porter was the star of the night in his blue Baja East jumpsuit, clad in copious amount of crystal fringe, topped off with a mechanical curtain chandelier wide-brim hat.
Lil Nas X, 2020
The “Old Town Road” performer stepped onto the 2020 red carpet as a hot pink cowboy in Versace.
Harry Styles, 2021
Going on to win his first Grammy for “Watermelon Sugar,” Harry Styles wore a Clueless-esque yellow plaid blazer with a lavender feather boa.
Dua Lipa, 2022
Dua Lipa went blonde for the big night, teaming her Versace black dress with sheer chain-adorned bodice (inspired by the brand’s 1992 “Miss S&M” collection), with layers of gold necklaces and matching bracelets.
Lenny Kravitz, 2022
Lenny Kravitz brought his on-stage rocker aesthetic to the red carpet in his sheer, silver custom chainmail rhodium metal top by Ukrainian American designer Natalia Fedner, black leather pants and knee-high black leather high-heeled boots by Jordan Adoni in collaboration with West Hollywood’s Church Boutique. The “Fly Away” musician paired his ensemble with layered silver necklaces and bug-eyed steampunk-esque goggle sunglasses to complete the look.
