The Stunning Style Transformation Of Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson rose to stardom after winning the inaugural season of "American Idol" in 2002, and ever since, she has been a staple in the music industry. Alongside her musical growth, Clarkson also evolved when it came to style, growing from a young Y2K pop star into a classy yet edgy diva. Over the years, Clarkson's style journey has mirrored her evolution as an artist and individual, whether that means going for a more Vivienne Westwood punk rock look or embracing a casual and flirty aesthetic.
One thing that has been evident since day one is that Kelly Clarkson will always be unapologetically herself. "Confidence is everything," Clarkson admitted (via Oprah Daily). "I'm comfortable in my skin. I don't want to dress, sing, or think like someone else ... and at the end of the day, if you're not being your authentic self, one day you will wake up, and you [won't be able to] even find that person anymore."
Through every era, haircut, and bold choice, the star has remained true to herself. Now, allow us to celebrate a woman who not only conquered the music industry but did so with an unapologetic sense of style and authenticity.
2002: Kelly Clarkson entered the scene as the girl next door
In 2002, Kelly Clarkson burst onto the scene as the fresh-faced winner of the first season of "American Idol," capturing hearts not just with her incredible powerhouse vocals but also with her infectious and fun personality. At the age of 20, Clarkson also embodied the fashion spirit of the naughties, embracing the bold, chunky blond highlights and classic low-waist jeans that the era was known for. The singer's style exuded a laid-back and cool vibe, perfectly aligning with her relatable girl-next-door image.
Notably, even before her "American Idol" triumph, Clarkson talked about her passion for fashion during her audition (via YouTube). At the time, she revealed that she likes crafting some of her own clothes, and she even expressed an interest in fashion design. This early revelation foreshadowed her evolving relationship with style and hinted at the fashion transformations that awaited the rising star.
2003-2004: Exploring all that Y2K fashion has to offer
The years 2003 and 2004 marked Kelly Clarkson's meteoric rise to stardom. Navigating the transition from reality show winner to pop sensation, she released her debut album "Thankful" and its highly successful follow-up "Breakaway." Emerging as a pop music diva, Clarkson not only dominated the charts but also showed everyone that fashion can be fun.
During this period, her fashion choices continued to mirror the vibrant and eclectic trends of the Y2K era, which has since come back in style. Layered tank tops, colorful ensembles, and experimental combinations became synonymous with Clarkson's signature look. While some fashion choices from this period might raise an eyebrow in hindsight, they perfectly aligned with the Y2K aesthetic, which was all about celebrating daring colors, playful layering, and combining casual and chic elements. Clarkson's style correlated with the energy of her music, so it's not surprising that her fashion journey was a dynamic reflection of her evolving sound.
One thing that is noticeable throughout her career is that regardless of what style era she was in, Kelly Clarkson always managed to stay true to herself, and that didn't go unnoticed in the industry. In 2007, Simple Plan singer Pierre Bouvier gushed about the star to MTV. "I think Kelly Clarkson is good because she's real," he said. "You see her live, and you're like, 'All right!' Even if you don't like her style, there's nothing about her that's bad because she's sweet and she's talented. What else do you want?"
2005: The musician goes punk rock and golden blond
With the release of "Since U Been Gone" in late 2004, Kelly Clarkson not only delivered what would become one of her biggest hits but also announced a new era in her musical and style journey. As she was embracing a slightly edgier and more punk-pop sound, Clarkson's fashion choices evolved to match the rebellious spirit of her music.
This phase of her style journey saw the emergence of black skinny jeans, silver-embellished belts, and cropped graphic tees that perfectly complemented the punk-pop vibes of her chart-topping singles. The shift in her wardrobe signaled a departure from the vibrant Y2K aesthetic, as Clarkson embraced a more rebellious and rock-inspired image. Notably, her cropped tops showcased a belly-button ring (which was definitely a mall-staple Y2K piercing trend), adding just a tad more edginess to her look. To emphasize her musical evolution even more, the singer bid farewell to her natural brown hair as she embraced a bold warm blond. The hair transformation not only marked a visual departure from her earlier image but also symbolized her readiness to explore new territories in both music and style.
2006-2007: Kelly Clarkson goes for a more glamorous look
Entering the second half of the 2000s, Kelly Clarkson decided to show off versatility by blending contrasting aesthetics. While still rooted in her punk-rock influences, the period of 2006 to 2007 saw Clarkson embracing a more glamorous and classic look. A significant transformation during this era was her decision to chop off her locks in order to go for a bold and chic blond lob. The short cut exuded confidence and style, showing everyone that Miss Independent was absolutely willing to experiment with different looks. Not confined to a single style, Clarkson seamlessly navigated between punk-rock elements and the charm of classic glamour. This was further emphasized when she decided to dye her blond lob brown in 2007.
In a 2007 interview with Elle, Clarkson opened up about the pressure of the industry to sound and look a certain way. "My resistance upsets a lot of people because we could make a lot of money," she said. "And I'm not hatin' on money. But you know in 'Funny Girl,' when they make Barbra Streisand sing the 'Beautiful Girl' song, and she is singing these lyrics, and she knows she's not that person? I'm just not comfortable doing things that don't feel like me."
2008-2009: She's all about being comfortable while looking cute
Transitioning into 2008, Kelly Clarkson embraced a look centered around comfort without compromising on chicness. This era marked a change from the edgier looks of the past, as the singer opted for a more laid-back and effortlessly cute approach to fashion. "I'm a little all over the place," Clarkson revealed to Heat magazine in 2009 (via Stuff). "I love dresses — I've worn this Diane von Furstenberg dress a few times because I love dresses that are comfortable, especially in the summer when it's so hot. But I'm also a jeans girl — I'm a little bit of a tomboy and I'm a little bit girly as well." One clothing item Clarkson rocked a lot of at the time was flowy dresses — in particular, pieces that were easy-going and simple to wear.
She admitted around this time that she was often questioned about her fashion choices — an opinion she's never been overly interested in. "Oh God, I don't care at all. I've literally had people say to me, 'Why are you wearing that?'" Clarkson said (via Stuff). "I've never been the person that cared about that stuff. Good God, there are like more important things in the world. I grew up in a small town where everyone put their two cents in, so this is just on a bigger scale." The fact that the star never seemed to care about others' opinions of her style is surely also what helped her remain so authentic throughout the years.
2010-2011: The star opts for classic and timeless pieces
Kelly Clarkson embraced a shift towards classic, timeless fashion in the early 2010s. As the star turned 28 in 2010, she opted for a more refined and sophisticated wardrobe, but that didn't mean she said goodbye to her edginess forever. In fact, if there's one thing that was evident about Clarkson's style by the beginning of the last decade, it's that one could never know what to expect from her clothes, but it was always a safe bet that her choice was going to make sense.
"... with Kelly, you sense that she really is the girl next door. She acknowledges more complexity than most stars talk about," author Courtney E. Martin told The New York Times in 2011. By then, Clarkson was known as one of the more relatable stars in the industry, as she always exuded realness despite a glamorous exterior.
2012: Having fun with fashion on stage
In 2012, Kelly Clarkson showcased her playful side, especially when it came to stage outfits. The star embraced eye-catching cuts and vibrant ensembles that reflected her fearless and quirky fashion sense. Despite her love for dresses, she confessed to The Thread (via Yahoo News), "My style is weird ... I love dresses, but I wear my jeans and my boots every day!" This highlighted her down-to-earth attitude even more, and it showed that blending both casual and glamorous elements while remaining authentic is possible.
Over the years, the musician has been under public scrutiny for gaining and losing weight, but she never let society's pre-conceived ideas about body weight standards influence what she could and could not wear. "I do cardio. I run. I strength-train using my own body weight," the singer told Redbook in 2012 (via People). "I don't like free weights, because I build muscle easily. Really, what I try to instill in my fans is to be healthy and happy," she said. "I have no desire to be super-skinny."
2013-2014: The musician loves a good knee-length dress
During 2013 and 2014, Kelly Clarkson consistently opted for playful knee-length dresses, establishing them as her go-to choice for various industry events. Her fashion choices continued to reflect a delightful blend of fun and sophistication while maintaining a sense of approachability. From bright colors to classic black ones, the "Because of You" singer frequently opted for similar cuts in different fabrics. But despite the safe and comparatively modest silhouette of these dresses, Clarkson still wore more eye-catching ensembles on occasion.
In a 2013 interview with Time Magazine, the musician compared herself to other pop stars who have utilized provocativeness as a means of self-expression. "There've always been women in the industry who have pushed the envelope — Cher, Madonna, Annie Lennox," Clarkson said. "I don't think anything different is going on. People say, "Oh, you never go for the whole sex appeal thing." Well, I don't ever not go for it, either. I just go for who I am."
2015: Kelly Clarkson embraces edgier looks
Kelly Clarkson embraced edgier looks in 2015, channeling a bit of that pop-punk princess she embodied in the mid-2000s. The star took a brave step toward a more permanent punk-rock change by going for an edgy undercut. This daring hairstyle shift showcased her willingness to experiment with her look, adding an extra layer of coolness to her style.
However, while the hair change might have seemed casual and fun, Clarkson admitted that she decided to go for the haircut as a result of going through a hard pregnancy. "It was right after River was born," she recalled in conversation with "PopCrush Nights" host Lisa Paige. "I just had a really rough pregnancy. I went to my hair girl and I was like, 'I need something different, I need something to make me feel less like a mom.' Because I just felt like I was super locked up. I was just so sick all the time, I wasn't feeling good." Clarkson's fearless approach to style was reflected in her commitment to allowing herself to change — as a person, a musician, and a fashionista.
2016-2017: The singer easily goes from simple to avant-garde
Once 2016 rolled around, it was official: Kelly Clarkson is somebody who can easily switch between different styles, transforming from casual to glam at the drop of a hat. In 2017, the singer joined the singing reality competition "The Voice" as a coach, and it was immediately evident that she would use the series to showcase her fashion choices. On "The Voice," Clarkson embraced a wide spectrum of styles, effortlessly switching between elegance and avant-garde statements.
Clarkson's fashion evolution during this period reflected her ability to adapt her style to suit different moods and occasions. Her stylist Candice Lambert told E! News that Clarkson had truly found her style. "My personal opinion is now this is really her. This is who — when she looks back when she was 13 years old singing in her closet ... this is what she envisioned of who she would be," the stylist said. "She's a mother. She's powerful. She's a mogul — all that stuff and I think she feels sexy and strong and independent ... I think she really wanted to express all of that, but I think it does go down to her deeper roots of what she dreamt when she was a kid."
2018: She just can't resist a quirky piece
In 2018, Kelly Clarkson couldn't resist the appeal of quirky fashion pieces. The star demonstrated her love for looks that were a bit unexpected as she infused her wardrobe with an even more playful and eclectic vibe. Clarkson continued to embrace bold colors, adding a vibrant touch to her style, perhaps thanks to her stylist Candice Lambert, who talked to People in 2018 about what working with Kelly Clarkson is actually like.
"I present clothes and ideas for each show to her. We try them on, and we go with what we both love the most. Each night, we are trying a different vibe. It's so much fun," Lambert said, adding that she wants to show off Clarkson's "sweet side, to her sexy side, to her rock n' roll side, to her pop side, to her country side and have fun with all the looks because we can. She can really pull off anything." With each appearance in 2018, Kelly Clarkson kept her fans guessing, solidifying her status as a star who isn't afraid to experiment with unconventional and eye-catching pieces.
2019-2020: The star loves to sparkle
Kelly Clarkson continued to sparkle not just with her music but also in her fashion choices. Towards the end of the 2010s, the star became even braver in her style, making a statement with head-to-toe sparkly pieces that ensured she stood out in any spotlight. "The best part of styling Kelly is she is open to try anything," Clarkson's stylist Candice Lambert told People in 2018. "She wants to have fun with her clothes, she is getting more and more adventurous as time goes on. We are having a blast trying different looks on her and pushing the fashion envelope."
Embracing glamour and glitz allowed the singer to showcase her confident approach to fashion, proving that she was unafraid to shine both on and off the stage — and rightfully so. By the time the 2020s rolled around, Kelly Clarkson was a pop diva not only because of her music but also because of her style.
2021-2022: And she's all about maximalist looks
Once lockdown ended, Kelly Clarkson decided to explore fashion outside of her comfort zone once again as she leaned into a maximalist aesthetic. This meant we got to see her rock plenty of bold and extravagant fashion choices that exuded confidence and glamour. From eye-catching patterns to luxurious textures, Clarkson's wardrobe became a playground for experimentation, and while the star stayed true to the cuts and shapes that she likes, she did introduce busier looks with lots of accessories.
However, while Clarkson loves having fun with her look, she's always pointed out that there's more to women than their style and appearance. In an interview with People in 2018, she opened up about adjectives that people often associate with women. "I'm not one of those people that's like, 'I hate princesses.' I think they're awesome; I know all the songs," Clarkson said. "But I make a point to always say other adjectives. It's not always like, 'Oh, you look beautiful.' It's like, 'Man, you're so rad,' 'You're stylish,' 'You're cool,' 'You're unique.'" And while Clarkson is many things, there's no denying that she's also rad, stylish, cool, and unique.
2023-present: Kelly Clarkson isn't afraid to rock what she likes
In the most recent years, Kelly Clarkson continued to exude confidence in her fashion choices while fearlessly picking outfits that resonate with her personal taste. Whether it's classic elegance, edgy ensembles, or playful outfits, the star's style evolution reflects a woman comfortable in her skin and unapologetically true to herself.
While styling Clarkson for her Las Vegas residency, Candice Lambert revealed that she made sure to touch all of Clarkson's style eras. "When I was coming up with ideas for the clothes, I wanted to touch a lot of elements of Kelly over the years," Lambert told Country Living in 2023. "I did 10 different days of looks for the main part of the show and four for the 'Since U Been Gone' encore. For the encore, she changes into a T-shirt and skirt: That reflects Kelly early on. Her new album, 'Chemistry,' is very boho chic, so I wanted to hit all sides of her."
As Clarkson navigates the constantly changing landscape of fashion, it's clear that she doesn't just jump on trends — instead, she carefully picks what she likes, all while making sure the pieces she goes for are authentically her.