35 of the most iconic red carpet looks in Grammys history

This year, when Franklin took home her seventh and eighth Grammys, she did so in style. Harper's Bazaar named this one of the most iconic Grammys looks of all time, and called her red and gold gown and matching head scarf "stunning."

Cher attended the 16th Grammy Awards to present Stevie Wonder with the Album of the Year statue for "Innervisions."

Cowboys may have made a comeback in the last few years thanks to Lil Nas X, the yodeling Walmart boy, and Kacey Musgraves' love of yeehaws, but Parton's outfit here shows us that she's been the Yeehaw Queen longer than any of those people have been alive.

That night, she was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, but she lost to Emmylou Harris.

The legendary multi-hyphenate has had no shortage of memorable looks during her decades in Hollywood, but this leather/straw ensemble is one of our favorites.

She'd get nominated for her one and only Grammy the following year, Best Video Album, for "A One Man Show."

Although Jackson has a complicated legacy in regards to his personal life, his musical and fashion successes cannot be ignored. This night, he took home a record-breaking eight Grammys from 12 nominations, including Record and Album of the Year for "Beat It" and "Thriller," respectively.

His look was designed by his longtime costume designer, Michael Bush, who told People that Jackson was interested in "British regalia show clothes — over the top military themed items."

That night, the "Purple Rain" singer was up for three awards, and though he didn't win any that night, he solidified his legacy in regards to Grammys fashion with this custom ensemble.

Abdul was up for her first Grammy that night, for "Straight Up," and she looked every bit the new star in her matching golden outfit, from shoes to purse to dress to jewelry to scrunchie. She basically looks like another Grammy statue!

Selena took home her first Grammy that night for Best Mexican-American album — and until this year, it was sadly her only win. On Sunday, she'll be posthumously be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Selena would have been very excited for this honor, just like she was when she won her Grammy back in 1994," her father told People.

The dress, designed by Marc Bouwer, is covered in sparkles and certainly makes a statement. The following year, Twain would celebrate her first win and three nominations, including Best New Artist.

Just a couple of years ago, one of the biggest trends of the summer was the leopard midi-skirt, proving that Blige was ahead of her time.

At this ceremony, the R&B legend won her first Grammy for "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By." In total, she has nine wins and 31 nominations.

In addition to this color-block look (which would still be trendy today), Hill's beauty look cannot be ignored. Allure called this one of the best Grammy beauty looks of all time, writing, "Rocking deep brown lipstick, a light, smoky eye, and sleek, chin-length twists, the 'Killing Me Softly' songstress looked every bit the part of a Hollywood heavy-hitter."

The "Girl's Trip" actress was there to support her then-boyfriend Will Smith who won a Grammy for his "Men in Black" song. She was pregnant with their son, Jaden.

In 2000, the plunging Versace dress became so popular that it sparked the creation of Google Images, according to Vogue UK. Google's executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, confirmed that people kept searching for photos of the dress immediately after the award show, so the company decided to create an image search engine.

"The dress went viral before viral was a thing," CNN wrote in 2020 after the musician wore an updated version of the dress at a Versace fashion show.

In addition to creating Google Images, Lopez was also nominated for her first Grammy that night.

That year, Spears was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "... Baby One More Time." She also rocked a Randolph Duke gown and Oscar de la Renta stole in a classy, timeless look that was even channeled by Lizzo last year.

Braxton's loincloth-esque gown, which is essentially two pieces of fabric held together by a sparkly strap, was designed by Richard Tyler. She was wearing it when she garnered her sixth overall Grammy for "He Wasn't Man Enough."

Their dresses were designed by Tina Knowles (Beyoncé's mom). In fact, Knowles designed all of their iconic looks. That night, the girl group took home statues for their song "Say My Name."

West, never one to shy away from bold fashion choices, made quite a splash with his lavender tux. However, as pastels come back into style, this look wouldn't be quite so wild in 2021.

The rapper received three wins that night, including Best Rap Album.

MIA rocked another version of the naked dress when she took to the Grammys red carpet in 2009 wearing a House of Holland design. At the time, Glamour posited that this dress could be a turning point in maternity wear, which had traditionally been dowdy.

She was nominated for Record of the Year for her smash hit "Paper Planes."

The "Paparazzi" singer was really hitting her stride in 2010 — in this Armani Privé design at the Grammys, she almost looks like a cartoon character who wouldn't be out of place on "Steven Universe."

"I am honored to be wearing Armani this evening. The series of pieces Mr. Armani created for me are truly iconic; they represent not only beautiful fashion, but my spirit and essence as an artist. Mr. Armani is a fashion legend, and tonight would not have been the same without his touch, and his wonderful team," Gaga said of Armani at the time.

She was wearing this creation when she won her first two Grammys that night.

Rihanna won her fourth Grammy while wearing this new take on the naked dress designed by Jean Paul Gaultier.

Fergie's eye-catching gown was also designed by Jean Paul Gaultier. "I had two choices," she told E! News' Ryan Seacrest. "This was the safe one."

That night, she was up for two Grammys for her part on Kanye West's song "All of the Lights."

The patterned frock and matching pumps were designed by Valentino. In her career, Adele has won 15 of her 18 Grammy nominations, including her 2015 win for Best Pop Solo Performance.

Perry was up for her ninth Grammy win (she's still yet to win from 13 nominations) when she wore this Gucci dress — she's giving off Priscilla Presley vibes.

The "Black Is King" artist changed into this lace Michael Costello gown after performing "Drunk In Love" with her husband, Jay-Z. That night, the married couple were up for a different duet, "Part II (On the Run)."

Leaving the best for last, Rihanna was the last person to arrive at the 2015 red carpet, wearing this overwhelming Giambattista Valli gown. She told Ryan Seacrest that she found the dress while scrolling online — relatable.

She won a Grammy that night for her song with Eminem, "The Monster."

Gomez's navy blue sparkling gown was designed by Calvin Klein, while Swift's two-toned set is Versace.

Gomez was on hand to celebrate with her friend when she took home three Grammys: Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Music Video.

The custom Armani Privé ensemble was once again a show-stopper for the singer, who was up for eight Grammys that night.

The Ashi Studio dress featured "a voluminous skirt with a high-low hem, structured off-the-shoulder sleeves," according to Glamour. The "Bodak Yellow" rapper proved she was a fashion heavy-hitter and a rap heavy-hitter, as she was nominated for her first two Grammys that night.

Cyrus loves to take fashion risks — but perhaps her biggest risk of all was wearing this magenta ballgown designed by Zac Posen, easily the most traditional look she's worn on the red carpet in years.

SZA's dreamy silver gown with ornate beading and tulle was designed by Atelier Versace. "We wanted something that was sexy, but at the same time soft and whimsical," her stylist told Vogue.

She was nominated for five Grammys that night, including Best New Artist.

Cardi B looked absolutely stunning in this vintage Mugler gown, which resembles an oyster, while she was encrusted in pearls.

That night, she won her first Grammy for Best Rap Album.

The singer capped off an incredible two years by wearing a custom Giambattista Valli gown fit for a princess. She was almost immediately crowned the best dressed of the night, with the Zoe Report writing, "The silvery gray masterpiece resembled actual clouds, featuring endless tiers of lovely ruffles. Grande truly looked every bit the pop princess."

Porter has been a recent star of the red carpet, and his Grammys look did not disappoint. At the touch of a button, Porter's hat's fringe would move around the brim, covering his face. The entire look was designed by Scott Studenberg.

Lil Nas X's cowboy look was a custom design by Versace, and a bold way for him to make his Grammy debut — but neon is in, and clearly it worked for him, as he took home his first two wins that night.