Looking Back at Miley Cyrus' Best Performance Outfits

A style evolution of a star who has lived in the best of both worlds

By Kristin Vartan Nov 23, 2017 2:05 PMTags
Hannah MontanaDisney

Miley Cyrus is officially 25 years young now, and her outfit choices have always exemplified that electric youth.

When Cyrus first broke out as the foil to her performance alter-ego Hannah Montana, avid fans of the show saw a spunky teen pop sensation in tutu skirts and plaid minis with preppy tube socks. As the unwigged singer began to gain notoriety as herself, the Disney star traded her blonde wig for a platinum pixie cut and risqué threads, proving she had very much grown up. Needless to say, the star has expanded our fashion horizons during our tween, teen and adult years with effortless finesse.

For the "Malibu" singer's birthday, we have put together some of her most golden looks to reminisce on. 

2006: The Trendy Tween

At the genesis of Miley Cyrus' career, she lived a double life: Miley off-stage, Hannah Montana on-stage. The teen pop sensation's concert clothes, in the typical Disney child star fashion of the early 2000s, consisted of shimmery tunics with cropped jackets.

2006: Silver Sensation

We all sported tunics with shorts back in the day and probably want to forget it, but somehow Miley as Hannah Montana reminds us why we did it. Especially since the look allows us to show off statement boots, like Hannah's sequin-lined ones.  

2007: Pink on Pink

If you're a bubblegum pop singer, why not dress like it—by wearing pink everything? Hannah Montana showed us how it was done in a sequined tunic, hot pink leggings and ‘60s inspired go-go boots.

2007: Meet Miley Cyrus

Miley made her debut as herself on her Best of Both Worlds Tour in 2008. It was there audiences learned that while Hannah was a glitzy and glam pop star, Miley was the stylish, spunky girl next door in tennis socks and plaid skirts with pop-rock hits worth jamming to. 

2008: Bold in Gold

Cyrus took the BBC Switch Life Stage in an outfit that was pure gold. Like her alter ego, the red-haired starlet wore belted white jeans, but edged them up with sneakers, a gold trench and matching fedora.

2008: 16 and Stylish

The Disney diva headlined her 16th birthday in a concert/party at Disneyland park. She did so in a stylish stride, wearing a white vest with gold-detailing and a ruffly cheerleader tutu skirt with a gold, rhinestone belt.

2009: Ravishing Red

By 2009, Miley had crossed over from TV-star to a global phenomenon, and she dressed like it, too. A prime example is this red satin gown she wore with a sleek updo at the ultimate "Party in the USA": 'Kids inaugural: We Are The Future Concert for former President Obama's inauguration festivities.

2009: Gypsy Gowns

During her Wonder World Tour at Staples, the star ditched glam gowns for bohemian threads like this deep slit, deep-V dress.

2010: Liberating Looks

The former Disney star took a "Liberty Walk" across the MTV Europe Music Awards live show, wearing a silk leotard and heeled combat boots.

 

2011: Mature Miley

The vocalist wears a modest yet flattering blue frock with a side-swept, loose pony tail at the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at The Shrine Auditorium.  

 

2012: The Legend in Leather

"Every Rose Has It's Thorns," and every edgy performer has their spikes. The then-grungy, gutsy Miley looked sharp in a spiked out oversized leather jacket cropped to showcase her midriff ong the VH1 Divas stage. The look is tied together with matching leather skinny pants and sky-high heeled ankle boots.

2012: White Wonder

The platinum-haired performer takes it down a couple of notches onstage at a City Of Hope ceremony. Rather than sporting leotards, she wears a cropped, sleeveless turtleneck top with a high-waist maxi skirt.

2013: Can't Be Tamed Miley

At the MTV Video Music Awards, Miley came in like a wrecking ball. The world may have been shocked when Taylor Swift killed the old Taylor, but some may remember that Miley killing her Hannah Montana alter-ego was much more jarring. Some may have been caught off by Cyrus' dirty dancing with Robin Thicke, but style savants at heart might have been more focused on that teddy bear sequined leotard.

2013: The Golden Age

The Bangerz star lit up the New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2014 stage like a disco ball in a matching shiny gold separates. Topping it off with a luxurious faux fur coat, Miley's could easily be your next New Year's Eve look.

2014: Funky Threads

It's Miley Cyrus' party; she can wear what she wants to. The star takes the "Bangerz" Tour Stage in a canary-yellow fur coat and light pink monokini paired with matching pink cowgirl boots.

2015: Rainbow Rags

Two years post duet with Robin Thicke, Miley's looks continue to get more out of the box. On the MTV Music Awards Stage, she is wearing a square-shaped, rainbow number with matching hair and bangles.

2015: Kaleidoscope Colors

Continuing the multi-colored theme at the MTV Music Awards, Smiley Mley wears a psychedelic, skimpy jumpsuit with an eye for a breastplate and peace sign sunglasses that cover her actual eyes.

2015: Solar Power

Here comes the sun—no here comes Miley! The singing sensation performs on her "Death Petz" tour as the sun in her "Cyrus skies."

2016: Country Girl

Even in her outlandish attire, the singer sticks to her gutsy roots by pairing her island-esque leotard with cowboy boots. 

2017: Blue Jeans

Miley put on her old blue jeans after an era of animated attire. And her T-shirt seems like a practical head-nod to her Smiley-Miley nickname.

2017: Laid-Back Looks

With her new singer-songwriter persona, the starlet trades in unorthodox threads for bohemian off-the-shoulder blouses paired with floppy hats and all-American white shorts. 

2018: Silver Cowgirl

Head-to-toe sparkles light up the singers' stage ensemble.

2019: Refined Glamour

At the 2019 Grammys, Miley ushers in a new era of her style evolution in a sophisticated Mugler blazer and tousled beach waves. 

2019: Wild Child

Miley takes over the 2019 Glastonbury Festival in daring leather pants and plenty of chunky jewelry.

2020: Back to the Basics

You can take the girl out of rock 'n roll, but you can't take the rock 'n roll out of the girl. With a new man and a new, mullet-inspired 'do, proves she hasn't lost her edge.

2020: Red Hot, Hot, Hot

A lady in red! The "Slide Away" singer makes the New York City streets her runway with her fiery ensemble. She wears vintage Dior leather lace-up pants, a ribbed white tank and chic Chanel crossbody.

Which version of Miley is your favorite? 

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