On October 6, the American Music Awards will celebrate its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of unforgettable performances and iconic fashion moments on the red carpet. From Michael Jackson’s legendary style to Mariah Carey’s glamorous looks, and from Christina Aguilera’s bold choices to Taylor Swift’s evolving fashion statements, we are looking back at the fashion history and trends from the awards.
Softness Meets the Disco Era – 1970s
The 1970s was a vibrant decade defined by a fusion of softness and musical influence. As women embraced a more liberated lifestyle, clothing became increasingly comfortable and sensual, with soft fabrics like jersey and knitwear taking center stage. At the same time, the rise of disco music transformed the fashion landscape, inspiring daring styles that highlighted the body’s curves. With shimmering fabrics, platform shoes, and bold silhouettes.
Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson – 1975
At the 1975 American Music Awards, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson took the stage to present the award for “Favorite Soul Group” to Gladys Knight and the Pips. Michael Jackson is wearing a black tuxedo-style jacket that has shimmering silver sequins and rhinestones, a signature disco element. And our little princess Janet Jackson is wearing a pastel pink halter dress adorned with fluffy, feathered details at the sleeves.
Fleetwood Mac — 1978
Fleetwood Mac’s appearance at the 1978 American Music Awards perfectly encapsulates the eclectic, free-spirited fashion of the 1970s. The band members’ outfits are a blend of bohemian flair and the glam-rock style that dominated the decade. Stevie Nicks complements the softness of the 1970s in a more bohemian way with her lavender cape. Mick Fleetwood also embraces the 70s love for soft luxurious fabrics and flowing silhouettes by wearing a pale pink satin vest over a navy ruffled shirt.
Power Dressing, New Romantics, and Punk Era – 1980s
The 1980s was a decade defined by bold, statement-making fashion, with women suiting up in power dressing and bright neon colors and primary hues taking over. Glam rock and punk influences brought leather jackets, ripped jeans, and edgy accessories into the mainstream, pushing the boundaries of rebellion and self-expression. Excess and opulence were key, as evening wear embraced sequins, metallic fabrics, and oversized jewelry, capturing the glitzy, over-the-top glamor of the era.
Michael Jackson – 1981
From Michael Jackson’s outfit, we can tell the shift of fashion trends compared to the previous decade. Michael Jackson’s outfit reflects key 1980s fashion trends: boldness, glamor, and excess. The shimmering sequins capture the decade’s love for eye-catching, opulent styles, a departure from the softer, more natural fabrics of the 1970s.
Madonna – 1985
In this 1985 look, Madonna embodies the punk-inspired style that defined much of her early career. The black bustier-style top emphasizes the form-fitting, edgy silhouette that was central to the punk and glam movements of the time. Her accessories are a standout element, layered with chunky necklaces. The fingerless black gloves, studded bracelets, and mesh details further reinforce the punk vibe.
Whitney Houston – 1986
In this outfit, Whitney Houston embraces the 1980s trend of women suiting up with a bold, sequined black-and-white striped blazer and matching skirt. This ensemble reflects how women in the 80s were redefining fashion by merging strength and femininity.
Less is More, the Minimalism Era – 1990s
The fashion trends shift dramatically once again coming into the 90s. In contrast to the opulence and showmanship in 80s fashion, minimalism took over the 1990s fashion, with a focus on simplicity, clean lines, and understated elegance. If you google up the red carpet looks at American Music Awards during the 90s, you will see a whole page of neutral tones outfits. The fashion at that time was about being effortless, laid-back and prioritizing comfort and practicality.
Mariah Carey – 1993
Mariah Carey’s 1993 look is the epitome of 90s minimalism. She wears a simple, sleek black dress with a plunging neckline and crisscross detailing. Mariah Carey won six awards at the 1993 American Music Awards, sweeping the night with a range of victories.
Janet Jackson – 1998
In this 1998 American Music Awards look, Janet Jackson exemplifies 90s fashion with a sleek, cropped leather jacket paired with loose, wide-leg trousers. The combination of structured and relaxed elements reflects the era’s love for edgy yet effortless style.
Notably, Janet Jackson opened the American Music Awards that year with her hit song “Together Again,” which she wrote in 1997 as a tribute to friends lost to AIDS, continuing her advocacy for AIDS awareness.
Backstreet Boys – 1998
The Backstreet Boys showcased some of the late 90s fashion trends with their oversized suit choices. Their outfits reflect a mix of large suits with exaggerated lapels and bold, patterned ties, while maintaining the overall neutral tones. Each member’s individual style is highlighted by varying textures, such as satin and wool, giving a polished yet youthful edge. In support of AIDS awareness, Backstreet Boys joined Janet Jackson’s cause and are accessorized with red AIDS awareness ribbons.
The Futuristic and Vibrant Y2K – 2000s
The 2000s fashion was a bold fusion of futuristic experimentation and early digital age aesthetics. The decade embraced a “more-is-more” mentality, with vibrant, eclectic styles defining the era. Fashion trends were heavily influenced by pop culture and the rise of reality TV, with celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears setting the tone. The early part of the decade was defined by glamor and excess. The low-rise jeans became iconic. Velour tracksuits, metallics, and bodycon dresses further encapsulated the glamorous, statement-making style of the 2000s, while boho-chic brought in more layered, relaxed looks in the mid-2000s.
Christina Aguilera — 2000
Christina Aguilera’s outfit at the 2000 American Music Awards is a prime example of early 2000s fashion. Her look featured a baby blue crop top with sparkling rhinestone details, paired with low-rise, red snakeskin-patterned pants. This ensemble reflects two major 2000s trends: low-rise pants and metallics fabrics, which added a bold, futuristic feel to the outfit.
Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake – 2001
This head-to-toe denim look might be one of Britney Spears’ most iconic looks. It’s denim, maximalism, shimmering, and playful —- a defining example of Y2K fashion. Justin Timberlake’s matching denim suit, with a cowboy hat and oversized sunglasses, further highlighted the playful, coordinated approach to fashion at the time. The use of denim in such formal settings was a statement of the era’s experimental and audacious approach to blending casual and glamorous elements.
The Stylish and Glamorous Era — 2010s
Red carpet fashion in the 2010s was defined by bold, stylish choices and a focus on individuality. Naked dresses, popularized by stars like Rihanna and Kim Kardashian, showcased daring, sheer designs. High-fashion couture mixed with modern minimalism. Designers embraced statement-making gowns with dramatic silhouettes, metallics, and embellishments, as well as sleek, monochrome ensembles.
Rihanna — 2010
Rihanna’s look at the 2010 American Music Awards exemplifies a key trend of the 2010s: sheer elegance. Her burgundy, lace-covered gown plays with both transparency and intricate detailing. This look underscores the 2010s’ emphasis on statement-making outfits, where artistry and daring were often merged on the red carpet.
Lady Gaga — 2013
As the face of Versace SS14 campaign, Lady Gaga made a dramatic entrance at the 2013 American Music Awards. Lady Gaga was wearing a flowing lavender gown with bulk, statement-piece accessories. Beginning from the 2010s, high-couture gradually became the norm on the red carpet.
The Era of ? — 2020s
As we are halfway through the 2020s, there are many fashion trends shaping the decade, from sustainability and gender-fluid fashion to tech-driven innovations like digital fashion and virtual styling. However, whether these trends will define the era remains to be seen. Fashion is evolving rapidly, but only time will tell which of these movements will have lasting power and become the true signature of the 2020s.
Here are some iconic fashion moments from the 2020s American Music Awards, showcasing the bold and innovative styles we’ve seen so far.
Doja Cat — 2020
At the 2020 American Music Awards, Doja Cat stunned in a sculptural, ruched Vivienne Westwood gown with a plunging neckline and metallic finish, paired with purple lace-up heels. This bold look complemented her major achievement, winning New Artist of the Year, marking a standout moment in her career and on the red carpet.
Taylor Swift — 2022
Last but not least, we have our queen of the eras, Taylor Swift dazzling in a gold jumpsuit by The Blonds at 2022’s American Music Awards. The artist of the year, Taylor Swift brought home six triumphs in every category she was nominated for, including Favorite Pop Album. This added to her record-breaking AMA career, cementing her status as the artist with the most American Music Awards in history.
