Cher's 15 Most Iconic Looks from the '70s to Now

Your favorite It-girl's favorite It-girl.

Cher on a red carpet at the oscars
Photo:

Ron Galella / Getty Images

As far as multi-hyphenate style icons go, Cher is among the most celebrated. Since she rose to fame in the 1960s, Cher has been known as much for her dazzling looks as her stunning vocals. On The Sonny and Cher Show, she always appeared in costumes befitting a pop goddess. But beyond her on-stage style, Cher has built a reputation for taking risks on the red carpet. She never shied away from sheer fabrics or plunging necklines, debuting what would today be called a naked dress at the 1974 Met Gala. And her Oscars looks are some of the best in history.

And nearly 60 years since she first entered the public eye, Cher continues to deliver jaw-dropping fashion statements. Whether performing in a signature glittering bodysuit or sitting front row at a fashion show, she always delivers an outfit to remember.

Ahead, Cher's 12 most iconic looks to get inspired now and forever.

01 of 15

The 1973 Academy Awards

Sonny Bono And Cher on the red carpet at the 1973 academy awards.

Ron Galella / Getty Images

Decades before crop tops entered the lexicon, Cher wore a version of one to the 1973 Oscars. The sheer gold two-piece set paired perfectly with her glowing bronze makeup and long, center-parted hair.

02 of 15

A 1973 Performance

Entertainers Sonny Bono & Cher attend an event in January 1973

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Cher perfected her Western accessories game back in 1973 with this low-rise belt and turquoise necklace and rings. Her middle part, dramatic eyelashes, and blue eyeshadow are a masterclass in '70s glam.

03 of 15

The 1974 Academy Awards

Cher on the red carpet at the 1974 academy awards

Ron Galella / Getty Images

At the 1974 Oscars, Cher wore a flowing floral number that featured a low-rise wrap skirt and a bandeau halter top.

04 of 15

The 1974 Grammy Awards

Entertainer Cher attends the Grammy awards wearing a large butterfly pin in her hair on March 2, 1974

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Building on the theme of her Oscars look, Cher wore a midriff-baring white set to the 1974 Grammys that featured sequined pastel butterfly embellishments.

05 of 15

The 1974 Met Gala

 Singer Cher and friend Paulette Betts attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Insitute Gala Exhibition

Ron Galella / Getty Images

The Goddess of Pop dressed the part at the 1974 early Met Gala in a shimmering, sheer jumpsuit with feathered sleeves and hems. It was fitting for that year's theme: Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design.

06 of 15

A 1975 TV Appearance

Pictured is Cher performing on her solo music and variety show, CHER.

CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

Come the following year, Cher continued to favor shimmering pastel pieces, as evidenced by this iridescent one-shoulder gown she wore on her namesake show.

07 of 15

The 1984 Academy Awards

Val Kilmer And Cher at the 1984 academy awards

Ron Galella / Getty Images

By the mid-'80s Cher's style had evolved some, but was still signature her. For the 1984 Oscars, she donned a plunging nude dress covered in clear beads that appeared to have been painted on her skin.

08 of 15

At the 1988 Academy Awards

Actress Cher holds her Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar for "Moonstruck" at the Academy Awards April 11, 1988

John T. Barr / Getty Images

In '88, she picked up a best actress Oscar and proved her affinity for sheer, shimmering gowns hadn't faded.

09 of 15

The 1998 Academy Awards

Singer and actress Cher poses for a portrait on the red carpet as she attends The 70th Annual Academy Awards on March 23, 1998

Ron Davis / Getty Images

At the 1998 Oscars, Cher leaned on a now-familiar formula of a sheer beaded gown but took things up a notch by adding a coordinating headpiece.

10 of 15

The 2017 Billboard Music Awards

Actress/singer Cher performs during the 2017 Billboard Music Awards

Ethan Miller / Getty Images

At the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, Cher performed her hits "Believe" and "If I Could Turn Back Time" in a body-baring bodysuit. The sheer black costume closely resembles another look she wore while performing in 1992.

11 of 15

A 2023 Givenchy Show

Alexander Edwards and Cher at Givenchy Ready To Wear Spring 2024

WWD / Getty Images

The 77-year-old looked cooler than ever at a Givenchy show in a pair of cargo pants and a leather blazer.

12 of 15

2024 Cannes amfAR Gala

Cher attends the amfAR Cannes Gala 30th edition Presented by Chopard and Red Sea International Film Festival

Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images

Channeling old Hollywood glamour, Cher stepped out for the 2024 amfAR Cannes Gala in a black gown and matching wrap. She accessorized with a pair of fingerless gloves and her signature long locks.

13 of 15

The 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Cher wearing a mesh top, leather parachute pants, and a blonde wig

Gilbert Flores/Getty Images

For the triumphant return of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Cher arrived in a rather controversial pair of pants, made all the more daring with a blonde wig and sparkly mesh top. It was the first time the brand had hosted their iconic runway show since 2018.

14 of 15

The 2024 VS Fashion Show Runway

Cher wearing black sparkly pants and a black top on the runway of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Taylor Hill/Getty Images

For her second look of the night, Cher ditched the blonde wig and joined the Victoria's Secret models on the runway for a medley of her songs "Strong Enough" and "Believe." The singer wore a black sparkly set to headline the show, whose lineup also included Tyla and BLACKPINK's Lisa.

15 of 15

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Cher wearing a leather top and maxi skirt

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

On the heels of her Victoria's Secret performance, Cher was (finally) inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She wore an all-leather outfit for the evening's festivities and joined Dua Lipa on stage for a duet of her hit song "Believe."

"It’s impossible to measure the influence that Cher has had and continues to have on every one of us," Zendaya said, who gave Cher's induction speech.

Later on in the night, Cher took the stage solo to sing "If I Could Turn Back Time," and joked that "it was easier getting divorced from two men than getting into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame." She continued, "My life has been just a roller coaster, and the one that thing I have never done is I never give up."

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