Popstars’ Signature Looks: From Chappell To Charli
How pop icons use clothing to promote the meaning behind their music!
by Sareena Haq
A signature look has always been part of being a pop star. From Madonna’s lace gloves or Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean ensemble to Ariana Grande’s iconic ponytail, pop icons have always used fashion to help define their image and era.
Today, artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Charli XCX are carrying on that tradition, each putting their own spin on the concept and taking inspiration from the legends before them.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Short and Sweet era is all about the 1960s babydoll aesthetic. On tour, she’s been spotted wearing vintage slip dresses, retro-inspired catsuits, and her signature Brigitte Bardot-style blowout. Her stylist, Jared Ellner, has pulled looks from designers like Patou, Ludovic de Saint Sernin, and even custom Victoria’s Secret pieces to highlight her embrace of femininity and sexual liberation. Many of her stage outfits channel 1960s lingerie, which ties perfectly into the themes of confidence and sensuality in her music. The 1960s were a turning point in how society viewed sex and morality, so it’s only fitting that she leans into that era for this chapter of her career.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Charli XCX is going full grunge party-girl with her latest era. Off the back of her BRAT album, which has taken over the internet through “Brat Summer,” Charli’s style is all about messy, early 2000s club energy. Her Sweat tour with Troye Sivan has been a showcase of leather, ripped fabrics, mesh, and smudged eyeliner. Unlike Carpenter, who has a staple look for the entire tour, Charli debuts a new outfit every night on stage, pulling pieces from over 40 different designers. It’s chaotic, effortless, and precisely what you’d expect from her.
Then there’s Chappell Roan, who went from rising star to full-fledged pop powerhouse seemingly overnight. Drag queens inspire her stage style, and she treats every performance like a theatrical event. For her, bold outfits and over-the-top makeup aren’t just about standing out—they’re about expressing her queerness and building a deeper connection with her fans.
Much like Lady Gaga in the late 2000s, Chappell’s looks are all about making statements. One of her most talked-about moments was when she performed at New York City’s annual Governor's Ball in a complete Statue of Liberty costume. Other standout looks include a lucha libre wrestler, Joan of Arc, and a Marie Antoinette-inspired ensemble. Every outfit is camp and outwardly expresses her queerness.
Sabrina, Charli, and Chappell prove that a pop star’s fashion isn’t just an afterthought—it’s part of the music and the message they are trying to convey. They’re each crafting a unique aesthetic that helps define their artistry, just like the icons before them.
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