Katy Perry's Style Evolution
If we could take a peek through any celebrity’s closet, it might just be Katy Perry’s. Sure, there are plenty of celebs with wardrobes full of high-fashion, on-trend pieces that we’d love to get our hands on. But Katy’s style goes beyond that: Her collection of brightly-colored, boldly patterned, not-so-subtly themed outfits is definitely one-of-a-kind — and seeing them up-close would be a fashion experience for the ages. Since the singer broke onto the scene more than a decade ago, she’s consistently embraced fashion risks — and it pretty much always pays off. In honor of her 31st birthday this month, here’s a look back at some of our favorites.
WireImage1/33A Celebration of the American Music Awards, November 2004
Katy made her mark as a fearless fashionista early in her career, here in a bright green dress and knee-high boots.
WireImage2/33Lush Swag-Fest, May 2005
Katy accented a toned down shorts-and-tee combo with bright, yellow heels that provided a pop of color and personality.
WireImage3/33ASCAP Pop Music Awards, May 2006
Katy proved you can wear flats on the red carpet — or to any major event — with a cute frock and still look perfectly dressed up.
Getty Images4/33Nintendo Wii Launch, November 2008
This may have been 10 years ago, but we would totally wear Katy’s sequined black-and-gold mini dress today.
Patrick McMullan via Getty Images5/33Rock & Republic Fashion Rocks Party, September 2007
Katy proved early on she’s not afraid of head-to-toe bright and bold looks.
Getty Images for IMG6/33New York Fashion Week, February 2008
It’s almost as if Betsey Johnson’s quirky designs were made specifically for Katy Perry’s unconventional style.
FilmMagic7/33Today Show Performance, August 2008
It takes a special kind of person to be able to pull off dressing like a strawberry when it’s not Halloween. Katy Perry is that kind of person.
FilmMagic8/33BBC Radio One Visit, June 2009
Okay, where can we get this blazer?
Getty Images9/33New York Fashion Week, September 2009
Let this be a lesson in how to amp up a black-and-white look with brightly-colored accessories.
Getty Images10/33Paris Fashion Week, October 2009
Katy may be known for her wild fashions, but here’s proof she looks stunning in an LBD, too (which she accented with an amazing Karl Lagerfeld-face bag for the Karl Lagerfeld show).
WireImage11/33Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, March 2010
So, this is what it would look like if the inside of a kaleidoscope was turned into a killer, high-fashion dress.
WireImage12/33MTV Europe Music Awards, November 2010
Somehow, Katy makes a sequined, jagged-hemmed, raffle-ticket-themed mini dress look like one of those most chic shifts we’ve ever seen.
WireImage13/33Pre-Grammy Gala and Salute to Industry Icons, February 2011
Katy proved she doesn’t need to wear bold colors and patterns to nail a red carpet: She can rock neutral-yet-glitzy gowns with the best of them.
WireImage14/33"Purr" Fragrance Launch, June 2011
With the simple addition of a cat-ear headband, Katy added the perfect touch of her personality to her otherwise conservative look.
FilmMagic15/33American Music Awards, November 2011
On anyone else, pink hair, a pink hairpiece, and a pink gown would probably be too much. On Katy, it was just enough.
Getty Images16/33Paris Fashion Week, March 2012
At first glance, this ensemble looks almost conservative for Katy — until you see her flame-adorned shoes.
Getty Images17/33NARM Music Biz Awards Dinner, May 2012
Taking a break from her usual bright colors, Katy still managed to make her look unique and edgy, thanks to rows of sheer stripes along the top and bottom of her black gown.
WireImage18/33Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D European Premiere, July 2012
Never one to shy away from overt themes in her looks, Katy paired her whimsical Marchesa dress with a British flag umbrella for the U.K. premiere of her 3D concert documentary, Katy Perry: Part of Me.
Getty Images19/33Dream Foundation Celebration of Dreams, November 2012
Katy donned a seriously dreamy floral gown for the Dream Foundation’s annual Celebration of Dreams event.
WireImage20/33People's Choice Awards, January 2013
Katy’s Valentino frock at the People’s Choice Awards was just the right mix of class and whimsy.
Getty Images21/33The Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show, August 2013
'90s aesthetics may be back in style now, but Katy proved she was ahead of the curve when she threw it back to the decade of fashionable grunge three years ago.
Getty Images22/33Paris Fashion Week, October 2013
This is how you mix prints and still look amazing.
WireImage23/33Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball, December 2013
And this is how you make leopard print look super glam.
WireImage24/33Grammy Awards, January 2014
Kathy’s ethereal, tulle Grammy’s gown could not have been more befitting for a modern singing princess.
WireImage25/33Prismatic World Tour, June 2014
On tour for her album, Prism, Katy proved perfectly coordinated crop tops and short skirts in bold patterns are her on-stage signature.
WireImage26/33ARIA Awards, November 2014
Between the crop top and the mesh, we can barely handle how chic this edgy red carpet look is.
Getty Images for the DAILY FRONT ROW27/33The Daily Front Row Fashion Los Angeles Awards, January 2015
Katy somehow made slide sandals (and a head-to-toe neon pink ensemble) look fashionable and, for that, we applaud her.
Getty Images for Soho House28/33Soho Desert House at Coachella, April 2015
Katy’s head-turning, sheer Nasty Gal dress is a perfect example of how to elevate festival fashion.
GC Images29/33In New York City, December 2015
This is definitely one of the most subdued looks we’ve seen on Katy, with the high neckline, low hemline, and muted colors — and she pulls it off flawlessly.
Barcroft Media via Getty Images30/33Golden Globe Awards, January 2016
We’ve seen plenty of proof that Katy shines in bright, neon pink — but this is evidence she looks just as good in a softer shade as well.
AFP/Getty Images31/33The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Launch, April 2016
Excuse us while we go buy leather gowns for our next major event.
WireImage32/33Democratic National Convention, July 2016
Katy looked positively regal when she performed her songs Rise and Roar in support of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at this year’s Democratic National Convention.
33/33Want more Teen Vogue? Like us on Facebook to stay in the know!
