The Stunning Style Transformation Of Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez has been a familiar face in the entertainment industry since her days on "Barney & Friends" back in 2002. Fast forward to 2023, and she's not just a household name in music and television but also a major fashion icon. The former Disney star has been with us through the ups and downs of what fashion has had to offer in the past two decades, from the overlaying trend of the late 2000s all the way to the 2020s and their appreciation of '90s and Y2K looks.
Throughout her journey, a single element has remained constant: Gomez's authenticity. It's the one thing we've continuously witnessed in her fashion choices, which always reflect her growth as an artist and as a person. From her Disney debut to her venture into music and business, the star's style has remained a reflection of who she is at any given moment — and taking a trip down memory reveals the full extent of her ongoing fashion transformation.
2007: Selena's Disney debut: Rocking the Y2K Disney scene
In 2007, 15-year-old Selena Gomez burst onto the scene with her Disney debut on "Wizards of Waverly Place." Her style at the time embodied the classic cool teen look, featuring plenty of jeans layered with tees and tanks. Her natural dark brown hair and minimal makeup perfectly complemented her youthful appearance. Gomez's style during this period reflected the quirkiness of her on-screen character, Alex Russo, as she fully embraced the age-appropriate Y2K fashion of the era.
However, in an interview with Hollywood Life (via Marie Claire) a few years later, Gomez admitted she didn't entirely approve of her style from back then. She recalled her early red carpet appearances, saying, "I remember going on my first red carpet with skinny jeans and sneakers like, 'awesome, this is not a look that I would do ever again' ... I feel like when I wore sneakers and a lot of jeans to red carpets, my stylist was really mortified."
2008-2009: Red carpet dresses become a staple as Selena debuts her music
A year after her Disney breakthrough, Selena Gomez ventured into the music industry with her debut single, "Tell Me Something I Don't Know." This marked a pivotal moment in her career, and her style shifted with her new path. While she continued rocking classic Y2K looks, her transition into the music scene brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to her wardrobe. This change was noticeable in her choice of red-carpet dresses, signifying her evolution into a young woman. Slowly but surely, Gomez began to discover her own fashion preferences as she explored everything that fashion has to offer. During this time, she also played around with her hair length by going a bit shorter.
In 2009, Gomez took a significant step in her style transformation by announcing the launch of her fashion brand, Dream Out Loud. While promoting her first line, she opened up about her evolving style. "Growing up in Texas, I was sort of close-minded and kind of a tomboy, but as I've traveled, I found such a love of clothes," she told Women's Wear Daily. "It's really always been a dream of mine to have a line." Looking back, we now know that this was only the beginning of Gomez's journey in the fashion industry.
2010-2011: Selena Gomez & the Scene: The star's style sings a new tune
In 2010, Selena Gomez released her second studio album as part of the band Selena Gomez & the Scene. This marked her transition into a promising pop star, and her style began to reflect this musical evolution. The summer of that year brought Gomez's 18th birthday, a turning point that saw her style take on a slightly edgier vibe while retaining the softness and feminine charm she was known for.
2010 was a year of transformation in more ways than one as Gomez began her on-and-off relationship with fellow pop star Justin Bieber. This new chapter in her personal life also had an impact on her style, pushing her towards a more grown-up and glamorous look. "My style is classic. Day to day, I wear a T-shirt and jeans with boots and I accessorize with scarves and jewelry. On the red carpet, I like to look elegant, and when I'm doing music, I go for more of an edgy look." Gomez told The Guardian in 2011.
Looking back on her style journey for Vogue, Gomez revealed what she was going for in this period, specifically in her "Love You Like a Love Song" video. "I thought it was my time to cross over and become a pop star, whatever that was to me then. It just was really fun. I mean it was the first time I tried to be high fashion, and you can laugh at that because that's not high fashion," she revealed. "To be honest, when I was younger, Taylor [Swift] inspired me a lot when it comes to wardrobe and stage outfits. But you wouldn't be – no, you're never going to see me wear that again."
2012: Selena Gomez's Spring Break style transformation
In 2012, Selena Gomez bid farewell to the Disney Channel as her iconic show came to an end. Eager to shed the innocent image often associated with Disney stars, Gomez took a bold step by starring in the rated R movie, "Spring Breakers." While the star's youthful charm remained intact, her fashion choices became more deliberate and sophisticated, reflecting her desire to break away from the Disney mold. Her newfound maturity in both her career and personal life began to manifest in her style, making her look every bit the movie star she was destined to become.
"We didn't force anything, this was just natural progression," her stylist at the time, Basia Richard, revealed to E!. "She is doing a more adult movie, but she is still staying true to herself. She definitely evolved into this beautiful, sophisticated little actress." Gomez's looks became more sultry as the innocent, girl-next-door image she had cultivated during her Disney years gradually gave way to a more daring and confident style. Her natural dark brown hair and minimal makeup from her earlier years were replaced with a more dramatic take, one that often featured a smoky eye. Gomez also experimented with bold colors and patterns, form-fitting silhouettes, and high-fashion designs.
2013-2014: Selena Gomez's Come & Get It fashion era
Selena Gomez made a bold return to the music scene in 2013 with her solo debut album, "Stars Dance." With that, her style became even edgier and more daring, and her looks reflected her music perfectly. In 2013, she also created a collection for the Adidas NEO label, which captured her personal style at the time. "I love playing around with fashion and like clothes that are fun, easy to wear, and comfortable," Gomez shared with Glamour. "My collection has a rock chic theme and it's confident, rebellious, and fun. It's also a little bit darker and I think it encourages girls to put their own stamp on their individuality and show confidence in what they are wearing." The star's confidence in her abilities was visible in all spheres of her career. "I think the older I've gotten, the more comfortable and confident I've become in my skin," Gomez told Vogue when she was 23. "I love feeling sophisticated."
Looking back at her style, the star admitted that 2013 was a crucial year for her. In particular, it was the Versace gown with cutouts and a daring slit that she wore to the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards that made her feel all grown up. "I remember ... feeling like a woman ... I remember trying this dress on, and the first thing my stylist said was, 'Is this too sexy?'" Selena reflected. "I didn't have any doubt in my mind. I said, 'The dress isn't about being sexy. The dress is a statement. It's going to feel like I'm carrying this Versace piece of art down the carpet.' So this was one of the first times where I was like, 'Alright. I'm feeling it. Feeling myself.'" Gomez told Vogue in 2021.
2015-2016: Selena's Revival: The star catches the fashion industry's eye
In 2015, Gomez released her second solo studio album, "Revival," and by this time, she was a household name in the entertainment industry. Her fashion was a blend of sophistication and uniqueness, with a focus on bold choices and contemporary silhouettes. The star showcased her maturity through sleek, tailored outfits and daring ensembles, which often featured glitter and sequins. Gomez solidified her status as a trendsetter and found her place in the fashion world, partly thanks to the fact that she garnered the attention of industry giants as she became the face of Louis Vuitton in 2016.
"Let's just say I wasn't always the [designers'] top choice," Gomez told Vogue in 2016. "I like to find things that are unconventional and make them look classic," she said, "because if I'm forcing something, you can just tell." Looking back on this period, Gomez revealed that it was crucial for her confidence. Commenting on her 2015 Met Gala white gown by Vera Wang, the star admitted to Vogue in 2021: "I fluctuate a lot with my weight, and I remember this night specifically I didn't feel good about my body. What was really amazing was I got the chance to work on a dress that fit my body. That was a moment where I was like, 'I don't have to be that 19-year-old body shape anymore.'"
2017: The blond lob era
Selena Gomez ventured into new career paths in 2017, taking on the role of an executive producer for the Netflix hit show "13 Reasons Why." Despite her expanding career horizons, she also continued to work in both acting and singing. Notably, this year witnessed a significant change in her signature style as well. Gomez said goodbye to her long dark locks and embraced a fun and flirty bob haircut, occasionally also experimenting with blond. "The blond has made me feel a little bolder, and I feel confident. I wake up every morning thinking 'oh my gosh,' it's just different for me," Gomez told Vogue at the time.
After a decade in the spotlight, the star also admitted that she had a new appreciation for fashion and all that goes into it. "Once I started understanding the craftsmanship and how dedicated people are to making it, and how delicate everything felt, my eyes were really opened to it. There's something that happens when I put on a beautiful piece of clothing," Gomez shared (via People). "And it's not just through characters or music videos. I feel like it completely affects how I'm stepping into an environment. I'm very dramatic, I love being expressive with stuff. So if I have on a good outfit and my hair looks poppin' I feel great! I have a whole new aura about myself."
2018-2019: From Puma to Coach: Selena is everyone's favorite
By the time 2018 rolled around, Selena Gomez had solidified her position in the fashion industry. Her busy schedule included being the face of Puma and collaborating with Coach, which kept her hands full with fashion ventures. Her style during this period showcased her incredible versatility, as she effortlessly switched between edgy ensembles on some days and full-blown glamour on others.
However, even the crème de la crème can have an off day, and unfortunately, Gomez's appearance at the 2018 Met Gala fell short of expectations. The over-bronzed skin and excessively pale lipstick left fans disappointed, serving as a rare fashion misstep for the usually impeccably dressed star. "While I was getting ready for the Met Gala a few years ago, we put on a bit of tanning lotion and it looked beautiful – but as the night went on it kept getting darker and darker," Gomez revealed to Glamour. "When I sat down, I saw a photo of myself, and it looked completely orange. And here I am at this prestigious event – my first thought was – 'I have to get out of here!'"
2020: Selena Gomez cooks up style in lockdown
During the initial phase of the pandemic, Selena Gomez, like the rest of the world, embraced the role of a homebody. With events and red carpets on pause, she still managed to captivate our screens through her culinary journey in the show "Selena + Chef" on HBO Max. As she dabbled in cooking, Gomez effortlessly showcased her signature style, opting for casual yet chic ensembles. These laid-back looks served as a reminder that comfort and style can coexist, even during lockdowns.
But it wasn't just on-screen that Selena gave us a glimpse of her pandemic life. Her Instagram became a window into her at-home world, where she shared photos of herself in a relaxed and casual edition. While she had established herself as a fashionista on the red carpet, Gomez proved that she was just like the rest of us when she was at home. Comfort became a top priority, and she demonstrated that even the most stylish of celebrities valued cozy loungewear, oversized sweaters, and messy buns.
In 2020, Gomez also ventured into the beauty industry with the launch of Rare Beauty, a cosmetics company with a mission to redefine beauty standards. "My main purpose when I started Rare Beauty was to break down the unrealistic standards of beauty we see in society today. There's so much pressure on us to be 'perfect' — I decided to create Rare Beauty to challenge the conversations around beauty," Gomez told Nylon. The brand quickly gained attention not only for its excellent makeup products but also for its commitment to promoting self-acceptance.
2021: The star nails '90s style and beyond in Only Murders in the Building
Selena Gomez made a triumphant return to the acting world in 2021, taking on the role of Mabel Mora in the Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building." What made this performance even more captivating was Mabel's distinctive style, which quickly caught the audience's attention. Her fashion sense is a delightful blend of '90s nostalgia, characterized by bright tones and an abundance of patterns.
"Her whole concept was basically that her costumes were a type of armor," the show's costume designer, Dana Covarrubias, revealed to Elle. "So she's using these really bright colors in the same way as an animal with a brightly colored coat: 'Beware. Danger. Leave me alone. Back off.'" Gomez effortlessly channeled this retro aesthetic, adding a modern twist to her character's wardrobe.
Beyond the small screen, Gomez's personal style continued its evolution. The former Disney star showcased her fashion versatility, effortlessly striking the perfect balance between casual comfort, chic elegance, and bold statements. Whether she's on set or hitting the streets, Gomez continued to serve as a fashion icon.
2022-present: In her 30s and thriving: Selena Gomez proves fashion knows no age
In the summer of 2022, the singer, actor, entrepreneur, and fashionista celebrated her 30th birthday, marking a significant moment in her life. It's evident that she has transformed from a teenager in the spotlight into a confident and influential figure in the industry. Her journey has taken her through music, acting, beauty, and fashion, where she has consistently evolved and left her mark.
Turning 30, Gomez fully embraced her authentic self, unapologetically expressing her individuality. "It feels good to finally not care as much as I did," Gomez told Elle ahead of the milestone. "I think of how many years I wasted just caring so much about what people thought, and it was just suffocating. And I think I wasted time doing that. What I love so far about getting older is that I'm starting to just really be happy with who I am, know what I want, and know what I don't want."
While she continued to exude classic glamour, Gomez also explored various aesthetics that allowed her to keep her style fresh and fun. An example of this was her venture into the world of Barbie pink for Deadline Contenders Television, complete with a playful lob and bangs. In 2023, Gomez also made her musical comeback with the song "Single Soon," and her fashion choices mirrored the track's lively spirit. Throughout the year, the star confidently embraced bold colors and unique cuts, with one of her most recent unforgettable moments taking place at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, where she stole the spotlight in a striking red beaded dress by Oscar de la Renta.