Here Are The 23 Most Iconic Grammys Red Carpet Looks Of All Time (2025)

With the 67th Grammy Awards around the corner, I thought it'd be fun to take a look back at something we're all very passionate about: RED CARPET LOOKS. The good, the bad, and the ugly. The Grammys first aired in 1959, and there have been SOOOO many iconic celeb looks since then. So it's time for a little pop culture history lesson — we're gonna start with the oldest ones, and make our way to today. Ready? 1. I gotta start with Cher's whimsical butterfly outfit in 1974. It has inspired celebs even all these years later! Plus, this was a really meaningful look, because she’d just gotten divorced from Sonny Bono, and this was her hard launch with a new boyfriend, David Geffen. So you could say the butterflies represented new beginnings. 2. Dolly Parton's 1977 pink cowboy outfit was pretty show-stopping. She basically BECAME the cowboy Barbie. And in a post-Barbie world, we gotta remember: She rocked that look back in the day. 3. Michael Jackson is basically known for his one white bedazzled glove. But what if I told you that the 1984 Grammys was one of his first televised performances with that iconic glove? Not to mention, the shimmering blue military suit he wore with it is a sight for sore eyes. 4. Prince wore an all-polka dot outfit in 1988, and it was actually incredible. He was known for having a really cool style, and this was certainly the talk of the town. How could it not be?!? I'd say I wish more people wore stuff like this, but I'm not sure anyone else could pull this off. 5. Selena's 1994 dress has since become extremely iconic, and it's basically the dress you picture her in when you think of her. Am I wrong?! 6. Paula Abdul's 1990 all-gold outfit was so iconic, she decided to recreate it in 2020. It’s very '80s, but I also feel like it's equally timeless. 7. Mariah Carey's 1991 black bedazzled dress is a staple. I was considering not including this one because it's not particularly shocking, but really, it's simply STUNNING. A perfect look that has inspired ALLLL the little black dress wearers out there. 8. Mary J. Blige decided to go all-out in 1996 and do something none of us expected — wear a full leopard print outfit from head to toe. I don't know how I feel about this, but it's definitely iconic, that's for sure. I can't see leopard print without thinking of it, so that means she makes the list. 9. I gotta mention Shania Twain's turtleneck dress from the 1999 Grammys, because it somehow blends the unique and classic. Something about this just feels Canadian to me, which gives it bonus points. Plus, this one was also reworn by Kelsea Ballerini in 2022. 10. J. Lo's 2000 Grammys dress basically created Google Images. Yes, you heard me right — so many people looked up this dress on Google, it inspired the idea for Google Images. True story. 11. As if 2000 wasn't already a fantabulous year for fashion, Britney Spears came dressed like a literal angel. This look has been deemed her "most underrated look," and I have to agree. It's simple yet elegant. It's everything red carpet looks should be. 12. We had to include a coordinated fit on this list, and there are few better than Destiny's Child's 2001 green and gold dresses. Individually, they're beautiful, but all together, they're spectacular. And in case you didn't know, Beyoncé's mom Tina Knowles was the stylist for Destiny's Child, so she's responsible for many of their iconic looks. 13. I'm not just including Toni Braxton's infamous revealing 2001 outfit because it caused a big stir — but also because it's really cool. She got everyone talking, and everyone's got an opinion on this fit, which makes it iconic to me! 14. Speaking of breaking convention, we gotta talk about Avril Lavigne's 2003 fit. Not many of us could absolutely ROCK this suit (no pun intended), but you gotta admit, she absolutely did. Avril looked simultaneously badass and effortless in this, and the outfit just screams her name. 15. Lady Gaga's futuristic 2010 Grammys outfit, like, invented the elaborate look. When we say she's known for her outfits, this is exactly what we mean. Fun fact, someone actually stole these shoes from backstage...and they eventually appeared on eBay. Scandal. 16. Speaking of Lady Gaga, how can we forget her infamous red carpet entrance in 2011, where she arrived in an egg (or "vessel," depending on what you believe)? She later said she was in that egg for three days prior. So this one is a no-brainer. 17. This is probably the randomest one on this list, but I NEED to mention that time Nicki Minaj brought a Pope lookalike onto the carpet with her. She wore a very...uh, unique...red getup, which kinda gives Little Red Riding Hood to me. The whole thing feels like a fever dream, but it definitely got people talking. 18. Again, I'm not sure how I feel about this one (is it cute? Is it tacky? I have no idea), but it's definitely iconic: Katy Perry's 2014 musical note dress. When I saw this photo again, it unlocked a HUGE memory. 19. Say what you want about Rihanna's pink dress she wore to the 2015 Grammys, but when your dress inspires a full-on meme, that deserves a spot on the list. It was hilarious. 20. Ariana Grande's 2020 Grammys look is exactly what I think of when someone says her name. Her Glambot lives in my head rent-free. Her makeup and hair puts this over the top, too. 21. Also in 2020, Lil Nas X wore a pink cowboy suit that lives in my dreams. He's known for his outfits, but I'm calling it: This one might be his best ever. The colour, the GOLD…what's not to love? 22. Cardi B wore a stunning blue dress in 2023 that literally made my jaw drop. She looks like a piece of art you'd see in a museum. IDK if it's the colour, or the classy artistry of the dress' style, but I'm a huge fan. 23. Taylor Swift's 2024 Grammys look stirred up her entire fandom — it totally debuted The Tortured Poets Department, an album that’s now nominated for Album of the Year at this year's Grammys. You simply had to be there — we were ALL trying to figure out what exactly this outfit meant. What's your favourite Grammys red carpet look of all time? Any notable additions that didn't make the list? Tell me in the comments below. And stay in the loop on all things Grammys by checking out BuzzFeed Canada on TikTok and Instagram!