The golden age of fashion was one of the most glamorous periods in history. Everything from ostrich plumed hats to fur stoles, fedoras, and penny loafers were introduced and made famous during this time. Some of the fashion icons that made these pieces come to life include Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and many more. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and meet some more of the fashion icons from this era.

Elizabeth Taylor was known to wear the trendiest outfits. You can consider her a Kardashian of fashion from the ’50s onward. Even her wedding dresses (all eight of them) made it onto the cover of many fashion magazines.

During the ’50s, she was often seen wearing full-length A-line dresses and headscarves. Then the ’60s saw her in short dresses and bouffant hairstyles. The next decade was all about hot pants and crochet attire. But in the ’80s, she swerved things around and sported gowns with shimmering beading.

Bette Davis defined old Hollywood glamor better than anyone. She was effortlessly gorgeous and her signature style continues to inspire women everywhere – from her dresses to her overcoats and the sleek heels that she wore in the 1930s.

Just look at this feathered cloak she wore when she won an Oscar… Doesn’t she look like a rare and exotic bird you would be lucky to spot? Bette was a truly talented artist as well as a straight-up fashion icon!

The high-neck fitted black gown, gloves, pearl necklace, and a tiara on a high bun – this Breakfast at Tiffany’s look was made iconic by none other than Audrey Hepburn. Her pixie cut was more famous than Rachel’s (from the popular series Friends).

Hepburn practically invented the adorable meets sophistication style. Plus, she always managed to look so effortless in whatever she wore. The actress won our hearts and many others when she promoted her belief that “Happy girls are the prettiest girls.”

Ava is known for her femme fatale roles in noir films and she held that image with such a sense of regalness. She was a true fashion icon as well. Gardner’s signature style consisted of figure-hugging gowns that shaped her stunning hour-glass figure.

These gowns were tailored to perfection and everyone who saw them never doubted her province in the fashion world. Other outfits she wore often also included casual white shirts, pretty frocks, and high waist minis. To put it simply, her fashion was slayin’.

You can thank Greta Garbo for introducing the androgynous look into women’s fashion. All eyes got wider than the ocean when they saw her wear trousers for the first time in one of her films. She was a non-conformist and the one who probably inspired Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn to follow suit (pun intended).

Her own style was simple and natural. She always looked so comfortable in her flat shoes, trench coats, polo-neck sweaters, and trousers. It suited her tomboyish nature well.

Her name is her best description and she lived up to it. Her poise, golden curls, and sophistication were noteworthy. She was a fashion icon because of it and she always looked so royal. So it’s no wonder that she married a prince. Seems like the perfect fairy tale ending!

Her grace and charm extended to her fashion sense too. There was never a hair out of place. Don’t believe us? Just look at her beautiful side-swept curls here –  she was truly in a class of her own.

Every gentleman did a double-take at Jean Harlow’s cupid’s bow and her itty-bitty waist back in the ‘30s. She was one of Hollywood’s first icons and a gorgeous one at that. Better known as “Baby” or “The Platinum Blonde”, Jean was known to have her own approach when it came to style.

She was often spotted wearing figure-hugging monochromatic gowns. They hugged her curves in all the right places and she wasn’t afraid to flaunt them. These gowns were usually white to match her platinum hair, as you can see here.

Of all the great actors in all the towns in all the world, Humphrey Bogart’s influence will never be forgotten. After all, he was the one who made the Casablanca look famous with his fedora and trench coat.

But not many people know that he had an eye for detail when it came to his fashion choices. He wore ties, bowties, and the ever-popular neckerchiefs. These were all paired with a pocket square. Just look how cool he is here while riding his bike. Here’s looking at you, Bogart.

Kelly made tap dancing seem like the sexiest type of dance form. If you have seen Singing in the Rain, you will know what we are talking about. But it was more than his shoes that tapped into a new genre of style.

Back then actors wore their own clothes. So, when Kelly took breaks between scenes, he was usually spotted wearing an open collar with a striped shirt that he would pair with a cardigan, trousers that were rolled-up, and penny loafers. What a sight that must have been!

If you were to conjure up an image of Judy Garland in your mind, it would mostly be of a rosy-cheeked Kansas girl, all of 17, wearing a gingham dress playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. It was a sweet image of a young girl.

Renée Zellweger even played her in the Hollywood movie Judy. After watching the movie, you will know that she didn’t wear just that pinafore but also printed dresses and floor-length gowns that were cinched at the waist. What a classic beauty she was!

When was the last time you came across a man dressed in a suit and you did a double-take? This is why we think that all men should dress and ooze charm like Gregory Peck. His style was a true reflection of his sexy, yet mysterious and serious personality.

Peck was always looking dapper in a blazer and a tie. But if you really think about it, it was not what he wore but how he wore it. And that is what made him a fashion icon. Don’t you agree?

Maybe Gable did not give a damn, but the man knew how to dress. He was a gentleman on and off-screen and dressed like one too. No wonder his role as Captain Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind seemed so natural.

He was always seen wearing double-breasted suits that would taper at the waist and had wide lapels with broad shoulders. It was perfect in every way. They just don’t make class acts like him anymore!

Taking a cue from Greta Garbo, Kate Hepburn continued sporting the menswear-inspired attire. Although Garbo introduced the trend, Katharine also gets credit for her part in propelling the tomboy look forward.

She was a non-conformist as well, who was often seen wearing collared shirts, trousers, blazers, and penny loafers. She really owned who she was and many women have thanked her since for introducing menswear fashion to a woman’s closet.

Lucille Ball was a feminist as well as a fashion icon. Lucile was the first female comedic lead on television for her show I Love Lucy. Her popularity from the sitcom is what made her so renowned. She also went on to become the first woman to own her own production company.

Ball had the Midas touch when it came to style. Any outfit she wore immediately became a stylish trend. From her jeans and fit-and-flare silhouettes to her two-piece ensembles, bonnets, and evening gowns, this natural redhead was an icon in every way.

Mae West ruled fashion in the ’30s. The blonde bombshell loved her furs and wore a lot of silk. She stirred quite a few fashion-related controversies in her time and made no pretense of being a demure creature.

She was the poster girl of glamor. Full-length gowns and ostrich plume hats were her creation. This extravagant sense of style was much celebrated on-screen as well. Mae was a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid of being different. Hats off to that!

Angie Dickinson was a secret crush of many men over the years. She was a Hollywood hit in the mid-1950s and set temperatures soaring with her fashion choices. Her shots in swimsuits were the stuff of legends.

Angie never shied away from flaunting her long legs in short dresses and fitted clothing. No one in their right minds could take their eyes off her. If the term ‘dressed to kill’ meant anything, Dickinson would know.

Who has not enacted the white-dress-blown-up-by-a-subway-grating at least once in their lives? If you hear someone say no then they are probably lying. But such was the Marilyn Monroe magic.

She made heads turn and howl with her sleeveless gowns and figure-hugging dresses. A red carpet event back then was incomplete without her appearance in a silk evening gown and white fur stole. Whenever paparazzi caught her, she always looked perfect – whether she was sporting a cashmere dress or high-waisted pants.

Orson’s style was similar to that of Humphrey Bogart’s. He wore a suit and tie just like he did in his movies. He apparently did this to impress studio executives and to seem like the ultimate professional.

After all, there is nothing better than a man in a suit. Just look at him here with his fiercely penetrating eyes, furrowed eyebrows coupled with his fashion sense – what a cool dude! Who else wishes they had the chance to meet him?

If there were awards for the best-dressed femme fatale in the ’40s, Tierney would definitely make the list. Her on-screen outfits were always captivating and became the source of trends at the time.

From trench coats, pencil skirts, and power suits to cardigans, silk negligee, and evening gowns, her characters’ clothes would have made up any girl’s dream closet. In fact, no girl in her right mind would refuse to spend a day in Tierney’s wardrobe.

White needs no introduction. She has been working in Hollywood since the ’40s and she has always graced our screens with her beautiful aura. Over the many years that she’s been in showbiz, her fashion has evolved. Now that is what you call a fashion icon.

She always wore the classic pearl necklaces and white gloves with most of her outfits. Plus, with her hourglass shape, she could pull off just about any look. Very few can say the same.

The sweetheart neckline was probably made popular by none other than the Vertigo actress Kim Novak. She was seen wearing the black, semi-long dress in the Alfred Hitchcock classic and looked absolutely stunning.

However, it was her gray suit in the same movie that ended up becoming an iconic look. Her hairstyle was also a unique one. It was curled similar to the painting of a fictional character in the movie. Just look at her here – she somehow looked iconic in anything she wore!

Rita Hayworth exuded glamor and beauty. She was known best for her role as the lead in Gilda. Her femme fatale fashion look in the film remained in the minds of viewers with her floor-length sheath dress, ivory cigarette holder and white fur stole. If this did not define glamor then we don’t know what does.

While her film career was taking off, Rita also starred in a lingerie photoshoot in the ‘40s. It became one of the most famous pinups in the country. So, it’s pretty clear to understand that she was a trendsetter and an icon all in one.

Lana Turner was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood when this portrait was taken in 1945, and she would go on to marry seven times.

Most people would collect handbags or shoes but for Turner it was hats. She was known to have a massive collection of them. She once said that her desire to dress well was inspired by her mother, who also always dressed beautifully whether she was well-off or poor.

This blue-eyed blonde bombshell was nicknamed the Peek-a-boo girl thanks to her side-swept hairstyles that usually covered her right eye. Lake was known to leave her audiences spellbound and because of this, she was an influencer of her era.

She was even encouraged to cut her hair short during World War II so that other women would copy her and adopt safer hairstyles (longer hair could get caught in machinery). Veronica was a complete glamor girl and the way she is rocking the paillette dress in the image above is a testament to that.

Brigitte Bardot is the one who introduced the French girl chic look with her floppy hats, smokey cat-eyes, fitted dresses, and chunky jewelry. She was also often spotted with a ribbon or bow in her gorgeous mane.

She knew exactly how to stun her onlookers with her style. The trained ballerina also partnered with the fashion brand Repetto to create the Cendrillon Ballerina flats. It has all the looks and none of the discomfort!

This Austrian-born actress was also an inventor. She co-patented a missile defense frequency in the ’40s that was so ahead of its time that its technology was used to create WiFi.

So, it may come as no surprise that her fashion sense was also ahead of its time. Escada also found his muse in Lamarr. According to him, she was the perfect prototype of a modern woman. Wouldn’t you agree?

Another Alfred Hitchcock muse, Bergman’s style was effortlessly chic. She believed in being herself when it came to choosing what to wear. The Casablanca actress did not believe in conforming to the standards set by old Hollywood’s glamor.

Whether she wore dresses, skirts, or menswear-inspired outfits, she looked comfortable in them. Unfortunately, she passed away in 1982 but her style choices have lived on like many other fashion icons mentioned here.

The first thing you would probably say upon looking at Astaire’s sartorial fashion choices is that he managed to look neat yet crinkled or formal yet casual. He could not be characterized in just one style. He had them all. Astaire looked just as comfortable in a drab suit as he did in a tuxedo.

He went through dozens of pairs of shoes thanks to his endless rehearsals. As for his ties, he preferred tying the Windsor knot. And of course, who can forget his top hats? They were the cherry on top of his charming style.

When you say Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire immediately comes to mind. Why? They were the most famous film duo of the ’40s and starred in many films together.

But that did not make her any less of a fashion icon. She dazzled in her chiffon or shimmering dresses. Her capped sleeves would have fur or feathers on them which were paired with matching satin shoes. What an elegant lady she was!

If you are wondering if Bianca has anything to do with The Rolling Stones, let us clear the air, she was indeed Mick Jagger’s wife. So, she was always among the who’s who and it’s no surprise to hear that she was a fashion icon of the ’70s.

Her looks ranged from power suits and disco fashion to embellished hats with minimal accessories. Even this floral ensemble paired with a fur coat made many heads turn in her direction. To this day her style inspires many women’s fashion choices.

Vivien Leigh was a style icon because she truly loved fashion and enjoyed every aspect of it, from choosing her outfits to finding the perfect accessories to match. She also wore envious gowns in her role as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind.

People, to this day, remember how gorgeous she looked in them. She was usually seen wearing cotton blouses with high-waisted flared trousers or long skirts. She had a way with how she would wear her clothes that made others want them too.

It is difficult to imagine Loy without her fur coat thanks to Dolly Tree, who was Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)’s talented costume designer. Tree designed Loy’s costume in The Thin Man. The clothing was luxurious and included elegant gowns paired with lots of fur.

Loy’s beauty only added more appeal to her entire look. She was one of the most beautiful women of the ‘30s and was even nicknamed the Hollywood Queen.

No matter which era you were born in, if you do not know who Frank Sinatra is, you might as well be living under a rock. He was an icon and a legend known for his music, sartorial choices, and his behavior. But let’s just focus on his fashion here as that’s our job.

Hats were his hallmark but for this fashion icon, the tuxedo was the way of life. And since orange was his favorite color, he always carried an orange pocket handkerchief. Here you can see the handsome singer in his grey fedora.

There is no point in talking about anything other than Peterson’s look in her movie Elvira: Mistress of the Dark. It was so iconic and even though it came out 33 years ago, we still associate her with it. Do you think you can pull off a look like this?

Cassandra managed to pull off the deep V-neck black dress, black nail polish, and Goth eye makeup. Also, how could we forget the extra bouffant hairstyle? Not too many could rock this yet still to this day, actresses like copying her look. Hands up for Ms. Peterson!

This quintessential bad boy from the ’50s, sent pulses racing with his disheveled yet charming appearance. His white t-shirt, jeans, and leather jacket look signified the boy your parents constantly warned you about. But you would be powerless against his irresistible good looks anyway.

The style lessons we learned from him apply to this date, even though the actor passed away at a young age. We will never how Dean was able to perfectly blend rugged machismo and softness in his looks.

The most noteworthy aspect of the world’s top singers is their stage presence and singing voice, but you can’t just overlook the other factor that makes them such big names — fashion statements are a major part of a singer’s identity and stage persona.

When people think of the hard rock band Kiss, they often picture four dudes decked out in black, with the iconic face paint that you see here on display. Without question, the face paint this band wore to most of their performances is inseparable from their identity as a rock legend. Even if Kiss isn’t one’s cup of tea, chances are you could still recognize them by this face paint alone. That’s just how iconic it is.

Britney Spears’ second album was released in 2000, and this particular red latex jumpsuit made an appearance in a music video that took place on Mars, symbolizing the cold heart of a woman who sees love and the destruction of hearts as little more than a game. Being one of her most popular albums, most everyone recognizes this outfit on her. It’s not as flashy as some of the outfits you can see singers wearing today, but it is still a memorable part of Spears’ wardrobe.

In 1966, when the Beatles were on a recording hiatus, Paul McCartney was inspired to write songs that heavily focused on the aesthetic imagery of the traditional Edwardian military band. This led to the alter ego the band took on in 1967 — Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band. Needless to say, these costumes are some of the most well-known and popular outfits that the Beatles ever wore while performing.

Country singers have just as much right to dress fabulously as anyone else in the singing business. According to Dolly Parton, it “takes money to look this cheap,” but we’re fairly certain that her fans thought she looked good. Either way, this is definitely one of her more memorable stage outfits over the years. Rhinestones have a bit of a history in country music, but Dolly Parton probably put them to their best use in this instance.

In 2009, this singer was still referred to as Cheryl Cole, but more importantly, it was also the year of her first album. That album created a horde of followers that called themselves her ‘soldiers.’ In the video for the hit single “Fight for This Love,” Cheryl wore this iconic outfit. The military aesthetic was meant to emphasize themes of power and strength, but it sure looked good while doing it.

Elton John is a great singer, and he’s also a tad…eccentric. He has a tendency to wear odd and bizarre outfits on stage, such as the time he dressed up as Donald Duck. In fact, Elton John has worn so many costumes on stage over the years that he sold 2,000 of them in auctions by 1988. That said, is this outfit really his most iconic out of so many? Perhaps not, but it certainly is unforgettable at the very least.

Michael Jackson has definitely had more than one iconic outfit over the years. However, one of the most memorable is the military aesthetic and gilded over pants he wore during his ‘Dangerous’ tour — lots of black, gold and buckles, and a whole lot of style. It may not be his absolute most iconic outfit of all time, but it’s definitely a testament to Michael’s excellent stage fashion sense.

Outfit coordination between the members of a stage group is pretty common these days, but it wasn’t always. Someone had to actually popularize it first, and The Supremes did exactly that, bringing a sharp and spiffy group coordinated look to their performances. The Supremes made being part of a cohesive whole cool — they were all equal parts of a unit, not one singer with some backup dancers.

When we’re talking about the most iconic part of Amy Winehouse’s getup, we can’t help but think of her super tall beehive more than any actual clothing that she wore. Of course, her pinup dresses and exposed tattoos also made for a look that her fans couldn’t forget. She’s not as flashy as some other singers, but her look was still something unmistakably unique, just like Winehouse herself.

Unlike some of her contemporaries, Katy Perry is known for wearing some pretty outlandish outfits that give her a unique stage presence, which few people can match. Frankly, she’s had too many outfits to claim one as more iconic than the other, but we feel that this particular one is pretty memorable. Whether or not it is as noteworthy as some of her other outfits is debatable, but — at any rate — it’s definitely hard to forget.

Lorde has always had an interesting aesthetic, with a strange combination of fashion choices that make for something wholly unique to her and her stage presence. It’s kind of like that cool art kid with the niche taste that’s a little odd, but always good-looking. Sure — it’s not as flashy as some of the outfits other people have worn on stage, but it’s definitely something that she undeniably made her own.

Lana Del Ray has always had a certain aesthetic going for her — usually silks and pastel colors, as well as some degree of nostalgia. That being the case, it’s not this particular outfit that’s so iconic for her, but rather the overall aesthetic that she brings to the table as a whole. Without a doubt, Lana Del Ray provides a certain atmosphere for all of her stage performances, and her outfits have a lot to do with that.

Avril Lavigne sported this look at the 2002 MTV Music Awards in honor of her iconic song “Sk8er Boi.” From the camo baggy pants to her tie and punk rock wrist bands, Avril’s casual yet outspoken look showed the world the kind of rule-breaking artist she is. She also proudly represented her home country of Canada by adding the flag to her tie. The Queen of Pop Punk will always be celebrated for her ‘90s looks.

Cher stole the show the night of the 1998 Oscars thanks to this glittering gown she wore which was created by designer-to-the-stars, Bob Mackie. She and Mackie have teamed up over the years to put together many of Cher’s iconic looks. She had all eyes on her that night with this white beaded dress together with her eccentric halo headpiece. She topped the look off by wearing this stunning, thick diamond choker.

Pink was known in the early 2000s for her punk rock music and bright and spunky pink hair to match her wild and unmatched personality. The American singer-songwriter dominated that generation with her catchy songs and disruptive style, both in regards to her social etiquette and fashion choices. We commend her for owning her uniqueness and sporting this pixie haircut – she will always be the trendsetter of this look.

The color red together with the material of leather, scream “Look at me!” That is the exact statement Ms. Christina wanted to send at the Vh1 Awards back in 2002 when she wore this figure-hugging, red leather dress. Not only did the rocker frock make her stand out but you literally couldn’t miss her with that orange tan and white-blonde hair with the black ombre. To this day, that provocative number is still remembered.

Since entering the music industry in 2001, there’s no denying that Lady Gaga has been known for her eccentric style whether she’s walking down the red carpet or performing on stage. With that being said, this bubble outfit comes as no surprise to anyone. In fact, it’s quite tame compared to some of her later outfits. She wore this piece during her ‘Fame Ball’ tour and as the opening act for the Pussycat Dolls’ ‘Domination’ tour back in 2009. To keep with the theme, she played a transparent, bubble-filled piano.

Okay, so Björke is probably better known for her swan getup than this particular outfit, but this was definitely one of her most memorable getups as far as her stage life is concerned. The singer wore this pom-pom headdress — paired with what looks like a rose pink dress and cape — during her 2007-2008 ‘Volta’ tour, which was her first after a four-year hiatus. Soren Bach designed the hat, proving to the world that even after an extended break, Björke’s fashion sense hadn’t toned down one bit.

Jennifer Lopez has worn some pretty flashy outfits throughout her career as a singer, so it’s honestly a little hard to pick one that unequivocally tops all of the others. However, we’re pretty certain this white feathered skirt and headpiece she wore in 2012 is one of her most noteworthy. J.Lo is someone who knows how to bring the flair to any performance that she takes part in — in no small part due to outfits like this one.

It’s not easy to rock all the colors of the rainbow, but Taylor Swift managed to do it perfectly in this instance. The outfit itself isn’t too flamboyant, but the colors it brought to the table certainly were. It’s this type of attire that really sets singers apart from all of their back-up performers on stage. Of course, you’d have to bring a bubbly personality to really pull off all the colors of the rainbow — but we all know T-Swift has no problem doing that.

Boy bands are unique when it comes to their getup because they often have to coordinate their outfits together. After all, they are performing as one unit, so it makes sense to match. 98 Degrees brought this iconic look to the table, giving them an aesthetic that everyone could easily recognize. This is just proof that not all outfits have to be extremely complicated to be a good choice of stage fashion — although these overalls may be considered a little outdated nowadays.

It’s no secret that 1999 was a pretty long time ago. It was also the height of Backstreet Boys’ popularity. With that, their performance in Frankfurt, Germany was one of their most memorable — likely due to the way they soared through the air as they imitated surfers. Sure; flashy outfits are great and all, but a showy performance to go along with those getups is part of what makes showbiz what it is.

NSYNC generally didn’t wear super flamboyant outfits during their time together, but that doesn’t mean they never have. These particular getups that the band wore at one point were certainly a bit of a break from the norm, but they looked fabulous nevertheless — not to mention extremely well-coordinated. They really gave off a sort of Power Rangers vibe during this performance, but we can’t say we hate it. In fact, it might be one of our favorite NSYNC outfits.

This picture of Boyz II Men is pretty old — circa 1992, to be exact — but it still stands as one of their most memorable group getups over the years. These bright, sparkling blue ensembles really brought out their personalities. Granted, this picture isn’t of them performing on stage, but the point still stands. They’ve changed a lot since then, but Boyz II Men definitely still has the same flair that they touted all those years ago.

Sometimes simple is best. The men of 112 understood this when they wore these clean, predominantly white outfits when they performed in 2001. It’s a testament to how nice and coordinated a band can look when they all wear similar getups. There’s truly a quality to simplicity. Let this be a lesson to us all — you don’t always have to go crazy with your getup. You can keep it nice and effortless whilst still looking great, even on the grand stage of music.

David Bowie was always an eccentric sort who had a lot of flair to offer to his fans. Case in point, he donned an eyepatch at one point, which made for one of his more iconic and memorable appearances during his years of performing beloved songs on many stages. When it comes to flamboyant singers, Bowie is high on the list not only for his music but also for his unique outfits, like this one. That’s part of the reason why he’ll forever be remembered.

NSYNC has generally worn a mix of reasonable and out-there things, but sometimes it was just the bad fashion sentiments of the ’90s that had the band sporting camouflage trousers made up of a variety of colors. All well and good for the military, but not so much for boy bands. But hey — at least they had a group theme going. That’s the most important aspect of being a united boy band in the first place.

“Thriller” is quite possibly one of the most well-known songs to have ever been released by Michael Jackson. For the music video, MJ rocked this iconic red jacket that just about anyone and everyone can still recognize to this day. By its very nature of being nearly unmistakable, it’s easily one of Michael’s most iconic outfits of all time. Of course, it’s not the only noteworthy thing that Jackson ever wore during his career, but it’s definitely one of the best.

Sometimes you just have to go all out on stage and wear something that you’d never actually rock in the streets. TLC knows this, which is why they decked themselves out in these notable outfits for one particular performance — not too flashy, but definitely still beyond the pedestrian. It’s a nice balance of flair and normality, which is pretty hard to get right on the grand stage of show business.

With an outfit that looks like it should be worn for Halloween, Stevie Nicks has always had a unique presence on the stage that many fans have tried to imitate over the years. However, no one has quite managed to pull it off better than she has. It’s definitely one of the more unique ways we’ve seen an all-black getup worn by the famous singers of the world, so we think it’s safe to say that it’s perfect for this list.

Karen O. has a particular aesthetic in her outfits that really make her look as though she’s from the future. We know she isn’t, but come on — doesn’t this look like something people in the ’80s thought people of the 2000s would wear? We think that’s a pretty accurate inference. Either way, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t deny that it draws the attention of the audience without fail.

You wouldn’t think someone would look good wearing a school uniform far past the time they should be, but Angus Young of AC/DC has always managed to pull it off in a way that fans actually like. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say that his getup on stage is part of what makes this band so iconic. That said, we could do without his hairy legs, but that’s just something we have to deal with in order to enjoy some good old-fashioned rock and roll.

Slits look good on just about anyone, but Debbie Harry gave this style a whole new meaning when she wore them during this performance. She really showed everyone how it’s done. Being a singer that doesn’t wear quite as eccentric clothing, it’s hard to find truly iconic outfits she performed in, but there’s no denying that Harry looked absolutely incredible here. Debbie Harry has worn some great looking outfits over the years, but we feel that this was one of her best and most fashionable.

This iconic Cher outfit graced the world stage during a photoshoot with Bob Mackie in 1978. Apparently, she had quite the fashion relationship with the man, trusting him to make good design decisions and only ask her to wear the most striking of dresses.

Now, this is iconic. Whether or not Daft Punk is the kind of music you’re into, just about everyone can recognize their helmets that are reminiscent of spacesuits. That kind of identity, which can be recognized almost instantly, is pretty much the definition of unforgettable. That said, the helmets do all the work as far as being recognizable is concerned. There’s no doubt that this electronic music duo has made a name for themselves.

Whether you love him or hate him — which we don’t understand why anyone would actually hate ‘The King of Rock and Roll’ — no one can deny the legendary nature of Elvis Presley’s white jumpsuit. It’s just one of the most memorable and instantly recognizable outfits in music history. That being the case, it belongs on this list as an oldie but a goldie. Elvis’ jumpsuit went through a few iterations, but they are collectively recognizable all the same, so it gets one mention here.

A sweet 16-year-old Spears rocked this schoolgirl outfit in the opening scene for her 1998 music video of the hit song “…Baby One More Time.” While the look is meant for the classroom, between her midriff showing and the short length of her skirt, she would definitely get detention wearing that number in real-life. With that being said, she made the look iconic and to this day, girls mimic it for dress-up parties or Halloween.

Christina Aguilera turned heads when she wore this Moulin Rouge-inspired costume for the music video of her song “Lady Marmalade.” While the song came out back in 2001, the red, satin corset that she wore was such a statement that it’s still spoken about today. Even though the song featured other artists like Pink and Lil’ Kim, X-Tina was the one who stole the show. Not just because of her costume but that dramatic eye makeup and whacky hair earned her some major credits.

The frontman of Queen has worn much more flamboyant clothes during his performances, but one of his most iconic is this multi-buckled yellow leather jacket and white tracksuit. Even people that aren’t overly familiar with Freddie Mercury — or Queen — could still recognize this legendary getup. What makes the outfit so unforgettable? In this case, it’s just the fact that the person wearing it is one of the most legendary and iconic figures in the world of music. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.

During Woodstock ’94, Red Hot Chili Peppers felt the need to don some giant lightbulbs for their performance. Suffice to say, it made performing a lot harder, but it also made the whole gig a lot more memorable. Why they decided to do this, who knows. Then again, maybe they just wanted to stand out — and if that was the idea — they definitely did exactly that. Mission accomplished.

The thing about the Spice Girls is that they all had their own fashion sense, despite performing as a group. This means that iconic outfits are a bit hard to pin down, but their individual fashion sense is definitely what set them apart from other singers, as far as that’s concerned. Then again, perhaps it’s the very variety of the Spice Girls that made them so iconic as a group, seeing as how that variety is a large part of their identity.

Let’s be real — Iggy Azalea has always turned heads with her form-fitting outfits that she rocks on the big stage. She’s never failed to look good during a performance, even when sporting bright and garish colors. Of course, that might have something to do with the exuberant way she wears them. After all, clothes are an excellent way to express yourself, but it’s the way someone wears them on stage that really makes the outfit a noteworthy aesthetic.

When people think of Prince, the outfit they often envision him in is the purple getup he wore for his hit song, “Purple Rain.” Of course, that may also be one of his best-known melodies, so it’s no surprise that this is the case. The rarity of the color purple may have had something to do with it as well. Whatever the reason, this purple outfit that Prince rocked remains one of the most recognizable ensembles that the stage has ever seen.

Nicki Minaj has worn some pretty crazy outfits before, but that doesn’t mean all of her iconic getups have been the most out there. The one that she’s pictured in here is awesome without being something extremely far-fetched. Minaj has always had a significant stage presence, and a big part of that has been her outfits. We can definitely tell she was trying to make a particular statement with this one, and it’s safe to say that statement was loud and clear.

Whether or not you’re a fan of ABBA, there’s really no denying that their music has a way of making anyone and everyone feel good. Aside from that, though, it’s no secret that ABBA has been widely noted for their colorful and trendsetting costumes.

While the band doesn’t always coordinate to match, their outfits always make a statement. Here in this photo, ABBA is performing their hit song, “Waterloo,” at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. The band ultimately won the contest, which was the start of the greatest career in Swedish pop music history.

Remember that time in 2001 when Britney Spears brought a real, live snake on stage during a performance? Well, if you’re a fan of Spears, then yes, you probably do. It’s kind of hard to forget, after all. Apparently, there was some sort of symbolism about where she stood on the girl versus woman spectrum, but we’re not sure what the statement was exactly. Really, the focus is more on the snake than her outfit, but it still makes for an iconic stage getup nevertheless.