The 2023 Grammy Awards are upon us, which means we’re obligated to take that annual trip down memory lane and look back at all of the most iconic celebrity looks to grace the red carpet. Which celebrities will make a fashion comeback in 2023? Which newcomers should we keep an eye out for? To answer this year’s most pressing fashion questions, let’s take a look back at the most iconic Grammy fashion moments of all time—from Cher in the ’70s to Beyoncé in the early 2000s and everything in between.
Aretha Franklin took home her Grammy in 1972 wearing a stunning red and gold gown with a matching headscarf.
Giving us a classic Cher moment, the singer donned a white bikini-style top adorned with a sequin butterfly, plus a matching pastel butterfly accessory in her hair and a sheer shawl.
In 1975, Yoko Ono and John Lennon showed up to the Grammys together in looks that could still be worn today. Yoko opted for a feathered shawl, slip dress, and mini bag, while John donned a suit and beanie.
Big blonde hair, a hot pink jumpsuit, and bedazzled detailing: Dolly Parton gave the Grammys a dose of her signature look in ’77, making the award show instantly more fun.
Leave it to Grace Jones to bring avant garde fashion onto the Grammy scene. The singer shut down the red carpet for the award show’s 25th anniversary in an ultra wide-brim hat (which Rick James posed under) and matching black leather ensemble.
Donna Summer gave us the leopard x Southern belle mashup we didn’t know we needed with this animal print hoop skirt featuring tulle underlay.
One of MJ’s most iconic looks, the King of Pop showed up to the ’84 Grammy Awards in a bedazzled military jacket and what would become his signature single glove.
Always one to push gender norms in fashion, Prince wore a polka dot suit with matching high heeled boots to the 1988 Grammys.
Serving up a real late ’80s, early ’90s LEWK, Paula Abdul donned a gold fringe dress with a matching high ponytail scrunchie, bangles, and a clutch.
Gracing the music award show with her presence, Naomi Campbell delivered a major ’90s fashion moment in a colourful mini dress and red feather boa.
In one of the Grammys’ first-ever naked dresses, Celine Dion showed up to the 1993 show in a see-through black lace gown that showed off her black thong.
That same year, Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson had a matching sibling moment in chic white suits and red ribbons to raise awareness for AIDS.
Looking like a ’90s dream, Mariah Carey wore a strappy dress, heeled sandals, and a matching mini bag in head-to-toe red.
Giving us the turtleneck red carpet look we didn’t know we needed, Shania Twain stunned in a sparkling white gown and matching satin bag at the 1994 show.
An iconic fashion moment in girl band history, TLC wore matching white silky outfits for their first-ever Grammy appearance where they swept the awards with four wins.
One of Lauryn Hill’s most underrated Grammy looks, the singer stunned in a red and white dress, toe-ring sandals, and a matching red choker.
Bringing another naked dress to the Grammys, Sheryl Crow donned a sheer slip dress with leopard underwear underneath. Making it even more ’90s, she topped off the look with a crocheted brown cardigan.
In one of the most stunning red carpet maternity dresses of all time, Jada Pinkett Smith wore a sheer sparkling gown to the 1998 Grammys.
The dress that literally created Google’s Image search, Jennifer Lopez’s plunging Versace gown is one of the most impactful red carpet looks of all time. At the time, the belly-button baring look was one of the most scandalous gowns to grace a red carpet and it remains one of the most iconic to this day.
Going full-on glam, Britney Spears channeled Marilyn Monroe in this white halter gown and fur stole at the 2000 Grammy Awards.
Out-naked-ing J.Lo’s iconic Versace dress, Toni Braxton dropped jaws in this barely-there silk gown.
Destiny’s Child swept the 2001 Grammys wearing matching green gowns designed by Tina Knowles.
If there was ever a way to sum up early 2000s style, Missy Elliott wearing a pink tracksuit and matching fuzzy hat on the red carpet is it.
Sheryl Crow showed off her abs in this cut-out yellow gown at the 2005 Grammy Awards.
Giving us a real Gaga fashion moment, the singer went for an unconventional red carpet look at the 2010 Grammys. The singer wore a sculptural, space-like look by Armani Privé and bejeweled platform heels.
Who could forget that time Nicki Minaj showed up to the 2012 Grammy Awards with the Pope as her date? The rapper wore a red satin Versace robe emblazoned with the house’s signature Medusa head.
Looking like Old Hollywood glamour, Adele slayed the 2012 Grammy red carpet in a sparkling black gown by Giorgio Armani.
Rihanna was a vision in this sheer red gown by Azzedine Alaïa.
Katy Perry dressed for the occasion in a stunning sheer Valentino Haute Couture emblazoned with music notes.
The hat that sparked a million memes: Pharrell’s risk-taking accessory at the 2014 Grammys is one that will go down in Grammy history.
Queen Bey gave us a naked dress moment of her own in this sheer white floral gown by Michael Costello.
Go big or go home: Rihanna wore a swoon-worthy princess gown by Giambattista Valli Couture to the 2015 Grammys, sparking a ton of memes in the process.
Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift were each other’s dates at the 2016 Grammys, giving us the ultimate BFF red carpet date. Gomez wore a sparkling midnight blue gown by Calvin Klein, while Swift went for a bright two-piece gown by Atelier Versace.
Cardi B looked like a work of art in this vintage Mugler dress she wore to the 2019 Grammy Awards.
Lizzo shut down the red carpet in this white Versace gown with a daring leg slit.
Ariana Grande looked every bit the fairy tale princess in this grey Giambattista Valli tulle gown while debuting her new blonde hairdo.
Pink has never looked better…or longer. Jhené Aiko’s five-foot-long train of pink tulle was courtesy of Monsoori.
Ever the Versace darling, Dua Lipa showed exactly why she’s the muse of choice for the Italian luxury house in this show-stopping sexy, shiny number, bearing a striking resemblance to another pop superstar – Cher.
Valentino Couture can do no wrong, and Japanese Breakfast singer Michelle Zauner proved just that in this cute frilled yellow dress.
No doubt Chrissy Teigen was giving big Barbie girl energy in this Nicole + Felicia Couture ballgown with a gorgeous ruffled bodice.
SZA, our girl. We’ll never forget her in this stunning Jean Paul Gaultier gown with colourful flowers running down the middle.
We’re…sensing a theme here. Or maybe we just really love pink? One way or another, Billy Porter stunned in another Valentino look with a ruffled collared shirt and matching pants.
While this image technically wasn’t from the red carpet itself, we couldn’t end this list without throwing it back to this iconic moment between Lady Gaga and BTS’ V. Swoon.