From her girl group days to her sensational solo career, see how Queen Bey’s fashion has changed over the years

Beyoncé. PHOTO: MASON POOLE/PARKWOOD MEDIA/GETTY

As Beyoncé’s musical journey has evolved, so too has her fashion sense. During her days with Destiny’s Child, she played a pivotal role in defining classic Y2K trends, sporting funky patterns and cut-out tops alongside her fellow group members. As she emerged as a sensational solo artist, she dazzled on every red carpet, experimenting with statement accessories and donning sequined ensembles at events across the globe.

Today, Queen Bey’s glittering style continues to captivate fans, inspiring them to transform stadiums into shimmering seas of silver and sparkles with their attire. She has even encouraged concert-goers to emulate her iconic looks by dressing in their “most fabulous silver fashions” for her Renaissance World Tour.

Let’s take a retrospective journey through Beyoncé’s fashion evolution, revisiting her girl group ensembles, daring dresses, and memorable metallic moments.

Beyoncé Performs with Destiny’s Child in London in 1998

Beyoncé.FRED DUVAL/FILMMAGIC

During her earliest on-stage years, Beyoncé and her Destiny’s Child bandmates coordinated their looks with simple-yet-stylish performance attire. For this late-’90s concert across the pond, Bey wore a warm-toned camouflage mini with buttons and a collar.

Beyoncé with Destiny’s Child at the 1999 Soul Train Music Awards

LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Robertson, Kelly Rowland and Beyonce Knowles.JIM SMEAL/RON GALELLA COLLECTION VIA GETTY

At the 13th annual Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles, Destiny’s Child members (from left to right) LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Robertson, Kelly Rowland, and Beyoncé showcased their coordinated style on the red carpet, all dressed in violet ensembles with subtle variations. Beyoncé opted for a long-skirted version of their group look, complemented by a matching cut-out top.

Reflecting on those early career outfits, Beyoncé shared her gratitude when she received the CFDA fashion icon award in 2016. She acknowledged the challenges they faced, stating, “When we were starting out in Destiny’s Child, high-end labels, they didn’t want to dress four black, country, curvy girls.” She credited her mother Tina Knowles for creating all their designs, emphasizing her mother’s talent and creativity in realizing their dreams.

Beyoncé at the 2000 MTV Movie Awards

Beyoncé.STEVE GRANITZ ARCHIVE 1/WIREIMAGE

Beyoncé didn’t just walk the red carpet at the 2000 MTV Movie Awards – she also co-hosted the event’s pre-show! In her wavy-printed high-low dress, Beyoncé looked like Y2K perfection as she interviewed stars like Aaliyah before the night’s ceremony.

Beyoncé at the Opening of Giorgio Armani’s 2001 Exhibition

Beyoncé.RON GALELLA/RON GALELLA COLLECTION VIA GETTY

Never one to stop glittering, Beyoncé paired sequin pants with a jewel encrusted top to celebrate the opening of a Giorgio Armani exhibition at New York City’s Guggenheim Museum.

Beyoncé Attends the 2002 Grammys with Destiny’s Child

Beyoncé.STEVE GRANITZ/WIREIMAGE

Beyoncé wore a sheer purple skirt over a matching bodysuit when she, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams accepted their third Grammy. They won best R&B performance by a duo or group for their song “Survivor.”

Beyoncé at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards

Beyoncé.KMAZUR/WIREIMAGE

Queen Bey started showing her love of metallics early in her career. Her gold gown for the 2003 MTV Movie Awards combined vintage and modern styles with its ribbon-laced bodice and flowing, high-slit skirt.

Beyoncé at the 2004 Grammys

FREDERICK M. BROWN/GETTY

Beyoncé made a splash at her first Grammys as a solo artist nominee. With five golden gramophones to take home, the singer had the perfect accessories to match her mermaid-style dress with high-neck jeweled detailing.

Beyoncé at the 2005 MTV VMAs

Beyoncé.J. MERRITT/FILMMAGIC

Beyoncé’s era of statement bracelets began in the mid-aughts, as seen on her wrist at the 2005 VMAs. The golden girl opted for silver fabric over gold but didn’t spare a single sparkle with her glittery wrap dress.

Beyoncé at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006

JEAN BAPTISTE LACROIX/WIREIMAGE

At the Cannes premiere of her 2006 musical drama Dreamgirls, the multi-hyphenate talent kept her style in the family. Bey wore a peacock-inspired halter dress from her mom Tina Lawson’s fashion label House of Deréon. The metallics came through on her wrist, with layered bangles in mixed metal tones.

Beyoncé at the 2007 Grammys

Beyoncé.GREGG DEGUIRE/WIREIMAGE

Today’s most Grammy-awarded artist wore more silver to the 2007 ceremony, where she nabbed best contemporary R&B album for B’Day. The win pushed her Grammy count into double digits.

Beyoncé at the Premiere of ‘Cadillac Records’ in 2008

Beyoncé.JIM SPELLMAN/WIREIMAGE

At the premiere of the biopic Cadillac Records, in which she played Etta James, Beyoncé stepped away from bright shades and metallics and leaned into classic Hollywood trends. The star wrapped herself in a black Zuhair Murad dress with a plunging neckline and sheer skirt patterned with sequins.

Beyoncé at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards

Beyoncé.MAURY PHILLIPS/WIREIMAGE

Beyoncé was honored with the NAACP’s outstanding female artist award in 2009, when she stood out in a bright cerise dress lined with silver sequins around her waist and over her shoulder. She even paired her usual chunky bangle accessories to the coin-colored trim.

Beyoncé at the 2010 Grammys

Beyoncé.JASON MERRITT/GETTY

New decade, new style! Beyoncé left the sequins and chunky bangles at home for music’s big night in 2010. She wore a pale pink, form-fitting dress with short sleeves and a ribbed texture design. After slaying the red carpet, the singer went on to win six Grammys during the ceremony.

Beyoncé attends the Met Gala with Jay-Z in 2011

Beyoncé.DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/FILMMAGIC

For her second Met Gala appearance, Queen Bey dressed for the 2011 theme, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, in an elaborate Emilio Pucci number. While her husband Jay-Z wore a simple white tuxedo, Beyoncé stole the show in her lace-trimmed mermaid gown, which dropped into a flared tulle skirt.

Beyoncé at the 2013 Release of Her Self-Titled Album

Beyoncé.KEVIN MAZUR/WIREIMAGE

Beyoncé celebrated the release of her fifth studio album in a black mosaic ensemble with matching boots.

Beyoncé at the 2014 Grammys

Beyoncé.STEVE GRANITZ/WIREIMAGE

The “Halo” singer tried out some new styles at the 2014 ceremony, from her cropped hair to her red carpet attire. She looked angelic in a daring Michael Costello design: a sheer dress with strategic white floral appliqués.

Beyoncé at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Beyoncé.ANTHONY HARVEY/GETTY

A year later, Bey revisited the white dress-short hair combo in an elegant long-sleeved dress. But she did bring out some signature metal with gold peep-toe heels and a shiny clutch to match.

Beyoncé at the 2016 MTV VMAs

Beyoncé.JARED SISKIN/PATRICK MCMULLAN VIA GETTY

Today, Beyoncé stands as the artist with the most VMA wins. In 2016, she won eight of her 29 total wins while wearing an elaborate, feather-topped gown. The statement look was complete with sequins running its length and a bodice with exposed boning.

Beyoncé at the 2017 Grammys

Beyoncé.FREDERICK M. BROWN/GETTY

In 2017, a pregnant Beyoncé covered her baby bump in sparkling crimson to take home two Grammy awards – one for each of her twins on the way! The ceremony marked her first red carpet appearance and on-stage performance since announcing that she and Jay-Z were expecting two little siblings for their first born, Blue Ivy Carter.

Beyoncé at ‘The Lion King’ Premiere in 2019

Beyoncé.JEAN BAPTISTE LACROIX/WIREIMAGE

The voice behind Nala showed up to The Lion King premiere dripping in silver jewels. Her sparkling bodice flowed into a sheer black skirt decorated with crystals. Bey walked the red carpet with her daughter Blue Ivy, who wore a simpler version of the jaw-dropping look.

Beyoncé at the 2021 Grammys

Beyoncé.KEVIN WINTER/GETTY

Beyoncé broke the record for most Grammys wins in 2021, and her milestone golden award stood out against her black off-the-shoulder minidress. Even her statement earrings matched the historic moment.

Beyoncé at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai in 2023

Beyoncé.MASON POOLE/PARKWOOD MEDIA/GETTY

For her first live performance since 2018 at the grand reveal of the luxury Atlantis The Royal resort in Dubai, Beyoncé made a striking entrance. Before taking the stage, she attended an opening party adorned in opulent metallic gold fabric. Her ensemble featured intricate cut-outs and netted details, complemented by a bronze overcoat that elegantly draped behind her on the carpet.