The Essex native is one of her generation's biggest trendsetters — music, fashion or otherwise.
By 
Michael Calcagno, Hannah Dailey
Charli XCX is one of modern pop music’s most versatile and inventive artists, and her sense of style reflects exactly that.
And just like her music, the Essex native’s fashion taste has only evolved through the years. Between her breakthrough days with the Billboard Hot 100 hits “I Love It” (with Icona Pop), “Fancy” (with Iggy Azalea) and “Boom Clap” and her more experimental phases with taste-making albums Crash and Brat, fans have seen the singer rock edgy-but-preppy schoolgirl looks, glamorous red-carpet gowns, colorful, textured jumpsuits, bold bikinis and nearly everything else in between at her concerts and other public outings over the course of her career.
Known for riding at the helm of Internet culture’s ever-changing “cool girl” aesthetic, the singer-songwriter is also famous for setting and improving upon visual trends across the pop music space. If you ever come across another star whose outfit, album cover or Instagram feed looks effortlessly fierce, there’s a high chance that Charli did it first.
“I like to express the way I feel through my clothes, but also, it’s not that big of a deal,” the English musician told Elle of her relationship with fashion in a 2023 interview. “I am who I am, whether I’m wearing a floor-length dress on a red carpet or some skimpy, tiny skirt.”
With her instantly recognizable mane of black curls, piercing gaze and fearless attitude, Charli is bound to go down as one of her generation’s most defining style icons. Keep reading to see a collection of her most noteworthy looks, from 2013 to now, below.
NME Awards 2013
Charli XCX attends the NME Awards 2013 at the Troxy on Feb. 27, 2013 in London, England.
Baileys Chocolat Luxe Launch 2013
Charli XCX attends the launch of Baileys Chocolat Luxe at Bar Chocolat, Covent Garden on Sept. 10, 2013 in London, England.
Jimmy Kimmel Live 2014
Charli XCX performs on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Feb. 3, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA.
Sonos Studio 2014
Charli XCX poses in the green room for a portrait before the Sonos And Pandora Present “An Evening With Charli XCX” event at Sonos Studio on June 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. `
American Music Awards 2014
Charli XCX at arrivals for The 42nd Annual American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Nov. 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA.
Billboard Women in Music Awards 2014
Charli XCX at arrivals for Billboard Women in Music Awards, Cipriani Wall Street on Dec. 12, 2014 in New York, NY.
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2014
Charli XCX performs onstage during iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2014, hosted by Z100 New York and presented by Goldfish Puffs at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 12, 2014 in New York City.
Grammy Awards 2015
Charli XCX arrives for The 57th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Feb. 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, CA.
Today Show 2015
Charlie XCX on stage for NBC Today Show Concert at Rockefeller Plaza on June 5, 2015 in New York, NY.
Viktor&Rolf FlowerBomb Part 2015
Charli XCX attends the Viktor&Rolf FlowerBomb Fragrance 10th Anniversary Party as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2015/2016 on July 8, 2015 in Paris, France.
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival 2015
Charli XCX performs on Day Three of the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival on Aug. 2, 2015 in Montreal, Canada.
amfAR New York Gala 2016
Charli XCX attends the 2016 amfAR New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on Feb. 10, 2016 in New York City.
21st Birthday Party 2016
Charli XCX arrives at the SoBe 21st birthday party with Charli XCX and Tinashe presented by Elite Daily at Foxtail Pool at SLS Las Vegas on Sept. 3, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
MTV Europe Music Awards 2016
Charli XCX attends the MTV Europe Music Awards 2016 on Nov. 6, 2016 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Billboard Women in Music 2016
Charli XCX attends the Billboard Women in Music 2016 event on Dec. 9, 2016 in New York City.
Hopeless Fountain Kingdom Tour 2017
Charli XCX performs in support of the Hopeless Fountain Kingdom Tour at Little Caesars Arena on Nov. 21, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan.
GQ Men of The Year Party 2017
Charli XCX arrives for 2017 GQ Men of The Year Party at Chateau Marmont on Dec. 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA.
Taylor Swift’s Reputation Tour 2018
Charli XCX performs onstage during opening night of Taylor Swift’s 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour at University of Phoenix Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona.
Met Gala 2019
Charli XCX attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2019 in New York City.
BRIT Awards 2020
Charli XCX attends The BRIT Awards 2020 at The O2 Arena on Feb. 18, 2020 in London, England.
New York Fashion Week 2021
Charli XCX attends the Maisie Wilen front row during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Boom Boom Room on Sept. 11, 2021 in New York City.
MTV Video Music Awards 2021
Charli XCX attends the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on Sept. 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
amfAR Cannes Gala 2022
Charli XCX performs during the amfAR Cannes Gala 2022 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 26, 2022 in Cap d’Antibes, France.
Kenzo Party 2022
Charli XCX attends the Kenzo Party as part of Paris Fashion Week on Sept. 30, 2022 in Paris, France.
Paris Fashion Week 2022
Charli XCX attends the #BoF500 gala during Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2023 on Oct. 1, 2022 in Paris, France.
Vanity Fair Oscar Party 2023
Charli XCX arrives at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.
Mugler H&M Global Launch Event 2023
Charli XCX attends Mugler H&M Global Launch Event on April 19, 2023 in New York City.
Fashion Awards 2023
Charli XCX attends The Fashion Awards 2023 presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on Dec. 4, 2023 in London, England.
Billboard Women In Music 2024
Charli XCX at Billboard Women In Music 2024 held at YouTube Theater on March 6, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
Met Gala 2024
Charli XCX at the 2024 Met Gala: “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024 in New York City.
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