Image via Getty/Foc Kan
During Paris Fashion Week back in March, Kim Kardashian showed up to the Balenciaga show wrapped in yellow tape from head to toe. The body-hugging outfit made “sticky-tape-y” sounds as Kardashian walked around the event, per NYT’s Vanessa Friedman. The unconventional outfit caused quite a stir on social media, with many noting the lengths that Kardashian would go to in order to turn heads. Although the fit appeared visibly uncomfortable, it proved that the SKIMS founder isn’t afraid to sacrifice comfort to make a statement.
Nowadays, it’s common to see Kardashian taking these types of unconventional fashion risks. But it wasn’t always like that. Over the years, her wardrobe has undergone some major changes. Clothing staples like Juicy Couture sweatsuits, which she rocked in the early 2000s, have been replaced by Yeezy Season sweatsuits and Balenciaga gowns that are much more fashion forward.
Her style took its biggest turn after she started dating Kanye West in 2012. While accepting her Fashion Icon award at the PCAs back in December 2021, Kardashian made sure to give a special shoutout to Ye for his influence on her wardrobe. She added that he introduced her to a handful of well-known designers like Thierry Mugler and Olivier Rousteing, who in the past probably wouldn’t have taken her seriously without a push from him.
Hate it or love it, Kardashian’s influence is undeniable. The reality star’s SKIMS brand has become a billion-dollar empire. In February, she was tapped by Balenciaga’s Demna to star in the brand’s latest campaign. She’s cemented herself as a modern-day fashion icon. Take a closer look at Kardashian’s evolution below.
She Loved Hervé Leger
Outing: Wax Figure Unveiling at Madame Tussauds
When: 2010
To attend her wax figure unveiling at Madame Tussauds in New York City, Kardashian popped up in none other than a bandage dress. Before her dramatic fashion evolution, Kardashian’s go-to outfit was a body-hugging dress for any red carpet appearance. The pink minidress showed off Kardashian’s curves in all of the right places.
In a New York Post profile in 2016, stylist Monica Rose explained that she was responsible for getting rid of Kardashian’s classic bandage dresses following a 2007 Complex shoot. “[Kardashian] said, ‘I’d love for you to come to my house and look at my closet, and let me know what I need to do to get on those best-dressed lists.’” Rose is said to have thrown out about 30 Hervé Leger bandage dresses in the trash.
She Played With Color
Outing: Out and About in NYC
When: 2013
Kardashian as a blonde was a vibe. To complement her lightly colored tresses on this occasion, she stepped out in a gold trench coat, purple crop top, and olive green pencil skirt. The three different colors showed off Kardashian’s ability to mix and match with ease. This is the perfect example of a simple-yet-classy look. Throughout her career, Kardashian has spoken candidly about putting together outfits that don’t require much effort. “I do like to dress really simple. It’s always been the key to how I dress,” Kardashian shared on Ashley Graham’s podcast Pretty Big Deal in 2018. “There’s always an element of simplicity.”
She Broke Hearts in Valentino
Outing: InStyle Awards
When: 2015
To attend the InStyle Awards back in 2015, Kardashian arrived in a form-fitting, all-white gown featuring floor-length, peekaboo sleeves that showed just enough skin. She pulled her hair back into a sleek ponytail with natural makeup. At the time, Kardashian was carrying her second child, Saint West.
While Kardashian looked to die for in this dress, the now-mother of four has spoken about the difficulties of finding clothes that make her feel confident while pregnant. In an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kardashian revealed that she had a model pose with a prosthetic pregnant belly similar to hers to try on clothes she might want to wear. Some might say this tactic is overrated but if it leads to outfits like this, then Kardashian might be onto something.
Galliano to the VMAs
Outing: MTV Video Music Awards
When: 2016
For the annual music event in 2016, Kardashian understood the assignment. The VMAs aren’t known for long, formal gowns. This is a red carpet where most celebrities have fun with their outfit choices. Kardashian did just that. She stepped out in a sheer, off-the-shoulder, and black minidress with lace-up heels. This was one of the first times that Kardashian debuted the wet hair look, alongside minimal makeup. This glam became so popular that many beauty YouTubers recreated her hair and makeup, because who wouldn’t want a tutorial on how to look this flawless?
Outing: Nights in LA
When: 2017
Another classic Balmain moment for Kardashian. What’s great about the SKIMS founder’s style is that she doesn’t always do too much. The semi translucent skirt is showstopping with rhinestones and a slit. It’s only right that she paired the look with a white crop top and absolutely no jewelry. Around this time, Kardashian rocked longer hair, styled by Chris Appleton, which added some razzle-dazzle to any outfit she put on.
Versace, Versace, Versace!
Outing: Met Gala
When: 2018
For the heavenly bodies–themed Met Gala in 2018, Kardashian dropped jaws in a gold-sequined gown designed by Versace. She brought back a smoky eye and rocked her hair in a sleek, half-up-half-down look. Keeping her accessories to a minimum, Kardashian wore a necklace with two gold crosses that complemented her dress.
Yeezy Taught Her
Outing: Out and About in NYC
When: 2018
While out and about in New York City shortly after the Met Gala, Kardashian showed that one can look flawless with minimal effort. The mother of four rocked an oversize, gray sweater with a matching shirt and bottom. Although cargos can sometimes come off as casual, she elevated the look with sock heels.
During this era, Kardashian became notorious for rocking sweatpants with sock heels. Her take on athleisure wear inspired others to pull out their favorite lounging pants and heels. It became one of the biggest trends in 2018, and we have Kim K to thank for that.
Biker Shorts Became a Thing
Outing: Out and About in LA
When: 2018
Kanye West and Kardashian were one step ahead of the fashion industry when the reality star began rocking biker shorts on the regular. It didn’t take long before Kardashian caught flack for rocking these bottoms. During an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in 2019, Kardashian reflected on being the center of the joke at the time. ”I remember everyone made fun of these bike shorts,” she recalled. “Literally. And was like, ‘A puffer and bike shorts? Like, what is going on?’ And, of course, everyone is wearing it two years later. I got roasted for this look for two years.”
For this look, Kardashian kept it simple with a gray oversize hoodie, long leather coat, and clear heels. She looked like a woman on a mission in this chic yet sporty outfit.
She Showed Off Her Curves in Business Attire
Outing: KKW Beauty Pop-Up at South Coast Plaza
When: 2018
Kardashian brought the best of both worlds to her KKW Beauty pop-up shop at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California, back in 2018. She rocked a striped black suit with no undershirt that showed off her cleavage. She kept her hair in a low ponytail to complete the sexy business look. If anyone knows how to add sex appeal to a regular outfit, it’s Kardashian.
She Stunned in Burberry
Outing: WSJ Mag Innovator Awards
When: 2019
Pulling off an all-denim look isn’t easy. However, Kardashian could’ve fooled us. While posing alongside Ye on the blue carpet of the WSJ Innovator Awards, Kardashian rocked an off-the-shoulder, corset-like top designed by Burberry that cinched her waist. She paired it with matching denim jeans and thigh-high leather boots. Back in 2016, Jennifer Lopez wore a pair of similar shoes in her music video “Ain’t Your Mama.” Kardashian’s outfit was the perfect complement to Ye’s tailored navy suit.
Thierry Mugler at the Met Gala
Outing: Met Gala
When: 2019
When Kardashian arrives on the carpet of the Met Gala, it’s always a showstopping moment. And with 2019’s “Camp” theme, the SKIMS founder had all eyes on her. She pulled up to the red carpet in a brown Thierry Mugler dress. The sleeves were covered in beaded crystals and gave the illusion that she was soaking wet. She paired the outfit with wet, wavy hair and smoky eye makeup, similar to her 2018 glam.
As Keeping Up With the Kardashians fans might recall, Kardashian opened up about her uncomfortable corset for the event in a Season 17 episode. She admitted she was unable to sit properly and use the bathroom with the shapewear. “I think if it’s an emergency, I would pee my pants and then have my sister wipe my leg up,” she said with a straight face. “I’m not even joking. She can wipe my leg up.”
She Adored Dior
Outing: Dior Men Fall 2020 Runway Show
When: 2019
We rarely see Kardashian mix and match different colors, let alone patterns. For the Dior Fall 2020 show, Kardashian stepped out in a trench coat paired with lime green snakeskin pants. To top off the look, she donned a fanny pack across her chest. She became a trendsetter for the aforementioned accessory being worn in this fashion. Because the outfit spoke volumes by itself, the fashionista kept her makeup simple with her hair pulled back in a sleek bun.
For years, we’ve seen Kardashian get on Khloé Kardashian’s case about rocking several patterns at once. However, the SKIMS mogul found a way to tap into her sister’s style and make it her own. She showed that, once again, when we think we’ve figured out Kardashian’s signature style, the joke is on us.
Her Sunday Best
Outing: Paris Fashion Week
When: 2020
To attend Ye’s Sunday Service in Paris, Kardashian sported a head-to-toe latex suit by Balmain. The fit featured a blazer, pants, and matching gloves. Over the years, Kardashian has forged a friendship with Balmain’s creative director, Olivier Rousteing. This resulted in her being one of the first to rock this look after it debuted on the Paris runway.
The look was sent to Kardashian as a gift from Rousteing, along with two additional latex styles in different colors. “Fresh off the Balmain runway. Olivier, you are too good to me,” Kardashian said in an Instagram Stories video while taking pics of her surprise gift. She’s right. This was too good to be true.
She Lived for Balenciaga
Outing: Saturday Night Live Afterparty in NYC
When: 2021
Following a rather impressive hosting performance at Saturday Night Live, Kardashian stepped out in a bold look for the afterparty. She rocked a bright pink spandex bodysuit with a floor-length ruffled coat. This look was different for Kardashian, who is rarely photographed in an all-pink attire. Besides, who doesn’t love a fashion risk that ends up paying off? Maybe we’ll see the KUWTK alum step out in pink outfits more often?
Occasion: Announcing She Passed the Baby Bar
When: 2021
In a post revealing to her Instagram followers that she passed the baby bar on her fourth attempt, Kardashian stunned in a catsuit. The breathtaking attire featured a floor-length train. She accessorized the look with black shades and an hourglass Balenciaga bag in the photos of herself walking through her home.
The post also included a lengthy caption in which the fashionista patted herself on the back for not giving up on her dreams. “For anyone who doesn’t know my law school journey, know this wasn’t easy or handed to me,” she wrote. “Bottom line is don’t ever give up even when you are holding on by a thread, you can do it!!!!! Set your mind to it and get it done because it feels soooooo good once you get to the other side!”
The Pant Boots Era
Outing: Press Run in NYC
When: 2022
While promoting her latest business venture, SKKN by Kim, in NYC, Kardashian rocked red, white, and blue pants boots by Balenciaga. She paired them with a white crop top. This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen Kardashian rock the pants boots. She continued the trend after being named the face of the brand in February.
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Outing: Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Show
When: 2022
Kardashian loves pulling pieces from a designer’s archive. For Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture show in July 2022, Kardashian matched with her daughter, North West, in tailored pinstripe outfits. The mother-daughter duo both rocked dark stunners and heavy accessories as they sat front row for the show. Ultimately, it was the 9-year-old who caught the attention of the paparazzi, so much so that she held up a “stop” sign to show how over it she was.