Miley Cyrus has undergone a significant transformation in the public eye, going from a wholesome tween pop star to a rebellious and raunchy figure. Despite being portrayed as Disney's perfect pop princes Hannah Montana at a young age, she has always used her music and fashion choices to express herself and break free from the Hannah Montana image. Her strong musical voice only adds to her unique artistic expression.
During her first rebellious era, Cyrus sported edgy-boho looks and long wavy brunette locks as she broke out of her cookie-cutter Disney character. She shocked fans with her radical transformation after her public split with Liam Hemsworth, which included chopping off all of her hair, a controversial performance at the 2013 VMAs with Robin Thicke, and posing in her underwear on a wrecking ball. With Bangerz, Cyrus explored a more stripped-down and natural version of herself before embracing the rockabilly fashion era.
MTV's Backyard Sessions featured the rockstar performing song covers in 2020, as she promoted her album "Plastic Hearts." It's clear that Cyrus now draws inspiration from 1970s glam rock, with her choppy shag haircut and ripped fishnet tights presenting a new and authentic persona.
Regardless of the time period or stage, Miley Cyrus is always evolving. However, her musical and fashion choices always stay true to her unique style and personality. Simply put, she is just being herself. Below we have broken down Miley Cyrus' look into three broad era's. Feel free to go full Taylor Swift Era's Tour on it though. Miley Cyrus has surely provided the material for it.
Miley Cyrus: The Hannah Montana Fashion Era
While on the show Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus frequently wore clothing featuring layers, sequins and rockstar themes, reflecting a more innocent style befitting her teenage years. Even now, she often chooses to honor her time on the show by wearing graphic Hannah tees and other memorabilia from her days as Hannah Montana.
Miley began feeling more at ease under the public eye in 2009, and her interest in fashion began taking shape and evolving as she started attending more red carpet events and performing on stage. She started experimenting with edgier looks, incorporating leather and studs into her wardrobe.
Her love for rock music also influenced her fashion sense, as she started incorporating more graphic tees and ripped jeans into her outfits. Miley's style became a reflection of her evolving identity as she navigated her teenage years in the public eye.
Miley Cyrus: The Rock And Roll Fashion Era
Throughout her career, Miley has oscillated between Bohemian and rock styles. During 2011, she had a penchant for graphic tees; however, as she matured, her wardrobe became more refined and less disorganized. Additionally, in 2011, she bid farewell to her Hannah Montana persona and retired the blonde wig for good.
In 2012, when Miley debuted her platinum buzz cut, it not only shocked the world but also marked the beginning of her Bangerz period. Her daring and controversial wardrobe choices redefined pop music and gave birth to a new era. Even though she had a rock-star image during the Wrecking Ball and We Can't Stop era, Miley managed to come up with unique outfits that perfectly matched the vibe of those songs.
Miley's street style is one of a kind. Her bold color combinations in 2016 were a testament to her confidence, and she consistently incorporates a touch of punk to her outfits. Her fashion sense starts changing between edgy rock looks and playful, feminine styles.
Music and fashion have been boundless for Miley by 2019, as she had already established herself in the industry. Fans were particularly enamored with her iHeartRadio look, which featured Taylor Stevens' iconic wet hair styling.
Miley showcased her rock and roll self by covering songs by Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, and her flair for all things leather was a departure from her sequined Hannah and chaotic Bangerz eras. Western wear and rock and roll elements came together seamlessly, drawing on Miley's roots as both a country singer like her father and an untamed rock and roll performer.
Miley Cyrus: The Shaggy Chic Fashion Era
In 2020, Miley stayed true to her signature style of layering on accessories just like she did in 2018. Moreover, her haircut took fans down memory lane with its resemblance to her Bangerz era. Her year-end look was a complete homage to the rock and roll attitude that has defined much of her life, featuring an all-out leather ensemble.
Ever since being named the ambassador for Gucci's fragrance line in 2021, Miley has flawlessly fused rock and roll with high-end fashion in her wardrobe choices. Her diverse taste has made her an ideal fit for the role. Recently, she stunned in a full Gucci ensemble during her performance at Lollapalooza in Chile, showcasing her ability to make music and haute couture uniquely hers.