Since she first came on the scene in the late '90s, Gwen Stefani has been a pop-culture mainstay with her platinum blonde hair, abs, and the unusual move of wearing braces as a fashion accessory. In the next 20-odd years, her aesthetic only became more distinctive — she’s cycled through dramatic ball gowns and eye-catching separates, but time and time again, she’s returned to her rocker roots with plenty of check patterns, cheeky accessories, and lots of glitter.
And though Stefani officially added "designer" to her résumé with the launch of her fashion line L.A.M.B. in 2003, her love of clothes has always been “one of those instinctual things," she said in a speech while accepting her People's Choice Award for Fashion Icon in 2019. "My mom would come home from school and my grandmother would have made her prom dress."
Today, Stefani's style has become decidedly more glamorous but no less exciting. Below, see her very best fashion moments over the years.
Stefani’s never been risk-averse. Case in point: She rocked bubblegum-pink hair, braces, and a head-to-toe knit ensemble at the Christian Dior boutique opening in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Pure maximalism at the 2001 Billboard Music Awards in a white bikini top, studded belt, and a tangle of pearls and chains.Frank Micelotta Archive/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
At the 2001 VH1 Music Awards, Stefani brought serious edge to houndstooth with a crimson cut-out bodysuit, plenty of dangling chains, and her era-defining phrase “Hey Baby” emblazoned in jewels on her hip.J. Vespa/WireImage/Getty Images
Stefani reinvented music promotion in 2002 when she topped a cutoff white tank with a Rock Steady bikini before performing at London nightclub The Scala.UK Press/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Rock-chick staples like a sheer cheetah gown, lace-up boots, and big hair were the moment at the 2002 Grammy Awards.Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Images
Stefani can be pretty in bubblegum pink hair or a sculptural pink Vivienne Westwood gown, as seen at the 2004 premiere of The Aviator.Mark Sullivan/WireImage/Getty Images
For the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, Stefani opted for a white dress with leather details and let her accessories — a studded bracelet and clutch from her L.A.M.B. line — do the talking.Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Fox
She was decades ahead of the bow trend in Giorgio Armani at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2011.Venturelli/WireImage
Stefani hopped back into bright pink at the 2014 MTV VMAs. This time, she wore a peplum-top L.A.M.B. two-piece and sparkly stilettos, all tied together with her go-to studded belt.Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Stefani shimmered in a drapey silver Atelier Versace ensemble with geometric cutouts at the 2014 Emmy Awards.Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Stefani’s gothic Yousef Al-Jasmi gown at the 2015 American Music Awards had a few standout touches: a sheer skirt, a peplum silhouette, and an elegant mermaid train.John Shearer/Getty Images
She matched her signature shade of red lipstick with an avant-garde Yanina Couture gown with mesh paneling and floral appliqués at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar party.Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images
At the 2018 People's Choice Awards, Stefani was black-tie (and mosh-pit) ready in a white Balmain gown complete with opera gloves, fishnet stockings, and thigh-high boots.David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
The singer teamed up with Moschino’s Jeremy Scott at the 2019 Met Gala. Their interpretation of the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme featured a bejeweled leotard and a floor-length fur.Kevin Tachman/MG19/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Stefani’s demure strapless Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda dress at the 2020 Grammy Awards featured a mosaic of floral appliqués as well as an exaggerated silhouette.Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images
Stefani went full sacred heart for her performance at the 2020 Grammy Awards with a champagne tulle Dolce & Gabbana gown.John Shearer/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Stefani mixed check and cheetah print for a vibrant power-clashing moment at a 2021 Spotify party.Rich Fury/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
For the live finale of The Voice in 2011, Stefani paired her scarlet PVC set with a cropped fishnet polo — and two-toned hair.NBC/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
The check print is back — this time in the form of a flirty chainmail Dolce & Gabbana mini dress.NBC/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
For the 2022 Met Gala, Stefani and Vera Wang dreamed in fluorescence for “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.” The singer rocked a highlighter-bright bandeau, opera gloves, and floor-length skirt with floral embroidery. ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images
As The Voice headed into its 2022 live finale episode, Stefani dressed up for the occasion in a confectionery Marchesa gown covered in white feathers.NBC/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
An ombré Nicole + Felicia gown in sumptuous earth tones was the move at the 2022 AFI Life Achievement Award Gala.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Stefani’s legendary status was officially cemented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023. The singer’s tinsel Christian Cowan outfit adorned with star-lined hem and sleeves was an on-theme nod to Tinseltown.Christopher Polk/Variety/Getty Images
Stefani went high-low in Valentino Haute Couture at the 2023 CMT Music Awards with a suit up top, and a mini skirt and furry boots below.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
For a Warner Music Nashville Lunch in February 2024, Stefani wore her country best with a patchwork denim set and matching denim boots.Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
