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Kim Kardashian's impressive style evolution – from Y2K It-girl to global tastemaker

The Skims founder has undergone quite the wardrobe transformation over the years 

Four Kim Kardashian outfits from over the years
Orin Carlin
Content Writer
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Kim Kardashian is a bona fide fashion icon, and we can't get enough. 

From dipping into the archive to channel Hollywood beauty Marilyn Monroe at the Met to looking pretty in pink at the Kering Foundation Gala – courtesy of her beloved Balenciaga – the reality star has come a long way since she first emerged on the party circuit. (Back when she was best known as Paris Hilton's BFF.)

In fact, her recent fashionably late arrival to Victoria Beckham's SS24 presentation in Paris spoke volumes. The British label delayed its show until Kim had taken her rightful place on the front row, testament to the significance of her presence at major fashion events. 

How has Kim Kardashian's style changed over the years? 

Kim Kardashian wearing pink shimmery dress© Getty
Kim in Balenciaga at Kering's 2nd Annual Caring For Women Dinner

How times have changed... Kim's working life has gone from strength to strength – law student, best-selling author, model and entrepreneur are just a few of the job titles that she can note down on her CV. 

Kim Kardashian wearing pink cropped jacket and a quilted box bag, both by Chanel © Getty
The entrepreneur rocked a pink cropped jacket and a quilted box bag, both by Chanel

And the 43-year-old's style archive is equally varied – having swapped Juicy Couture tracksuits for Balenciaga 'Pantaleggings', she has transformed herself into a global tastemaker.

What was Kim Kardashian's style like before Kanye West?

Kim Kardashian wearing jeans and boots on the red carpet © Getty
Before she became uber-famous, Kim's red carpet looks were more low-key

It's fair to say Kim's third husband, music mogul Kanye West, had a significant impact on her fashion choices. The Yeezy designer famously dressed Kim while they were together, swapping her bandage dresses and chunky belts for pieces that felt more experimental and elevated, courtesy of his industry connections.

Kim wearing athick belt to emphasise her hourglass figure© Getty
Back in the day, Kim loved a thick belt to emphasise her hourglass silhouette

Before she got together with Kanye in 2012, Kim's looks felt indicative of her It-girl status. She wore what was popular at the time, rocking peep-toe heels, bodycon silhouettes, waist-cinching belts and even paired jeans with knee-high boots for red carpet events.

Kanye helped hone Kim's style by introducing her to his designer friends and getting her to trade in fussier patterns and blingy jewellery for striking silhouettes. 

Kim wore Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday' dress to the Met Gala in 2022© Getty
Kim wore Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday' dress to the Met Gala in 2022

Years later when their marriage broke down, Kim found herself having to redefine her wardrobe on her own terms, struggling at times to trust her own judgement.

"I definitely see what I like, but I've never really been the visionary," she revealed in an episode of The Kardashians. "Kanye would come in and be like, 'You should do your hair like this. You should do your makeup like this.' That's his love language, it's clothes. I always just trusted in him."

How has Kim Kardashian influenced fashion?

Ahead of the Barbiecore curve, Kim rocked hot pink at the Saturday Night Live afterparty in 2021 © Getty
Ahead of the Barbiecore curve, Kim rocked hot pink at the Saturday Night Live afterparty in 2021

Kim has had a serious impact on the fashion world in recent years, gracing the covers of various influential magazines – Vogue, Allure, Sports Illustrated, ELLE, Glamour and the like – and becoming a front row regular.

Her bold red carpet looks have divided opinion – from the flurry of ethical discussions sparked by her Marilyn moment to her face-concealing balaclava – but there's no denying that Kim has influence aplenty. 

Having founded her hugely successful shapewear brand Skims back in 2019, it is clear that her vision isn't limited to revolutionising her own wardrobe. Pieces such as the Seamless Scult Brief Bodysuit and the Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress have gone viral, capturing the attention of internet fashionistas.

Kim Kardashian's style transformation:

2006

Kim Kardashian wore a green and blue striped bodycon dress at the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 Launch alongside her bestie Paris Hilton in 2003© Getty
Kim Kardashian wore a green and blue striped bodycon dress at the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 Launch alongside her bestie Paris Hilton in 2006

2009

Kim loved a 'workwear' moment, and rocked a white blouse and leather skirt at the Pepsi Max Bullrun Launch Party in 2009© Getty
Kim loved a 'workwear' moment, and rocked a white blouse and leather skirt at the Pepsi Max Bullrun Launch Party in 2009

2012

Kim and Kanye attended Paris Fashion Week together in 2012 © Getty
Kim and Kanye attended Paris Fashion Week together in 2012

2014

Kim went for a plunging bodysuit with a sheer silver skirt overlay at the GQ Men Of The Year awards in 2014© Getty
Kim went for a plunging bodysuit with a sheer silver skirt overlay at the GQ Men Of The Year awards in 2014

2016

Kim Kardashian wearing a white textured coat with a black baseball cap in 2016© Getty
The reality star styled a white textured coat with a black baseball cap in 2016

2017

Kim Kardashian wearing cool-girl cutout bodystocking © Getty
The entrepreneur wore cool-girl cutouts at Balenciaga's SS17 show

2019

Kim Kardashian wearing a 'wet' Met Gala dress in 2019© Getty
She turned to designer Thierry Mugler for her 'wet' Met Gala dress in 2019

2021

Kim Kardashian wearing a pink velvet blazer© Getty
Kim was obsessed with hot pink way before Barbiecore took over

2022

At the 2022 premiere of Hulu's new show, The Kardashians, Kim wore a silver latex gown by Thierry Mugler © Getty
At the 2022 premiere of Hulu's new show, The Kardashians, Kim wore a silver latex gown by Thierry Mugler

2023

Kim Kardashian attended the 2023 TIME100 Gala in a silk ivory bias-cut slip dress by John Galliano© Getty
Kim Kardashian attended the 2023 TIME100 Gala in a silk ivory bias-cut slip dress by John Galliano

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