Miley Cyrus is an icon with a capital ‘i’. Very few 21st century pop artists — or celebrities, for that matter — have shocked, awed and gripped the American public quite like she has. In the 2000s, Miley became a staple of American millennial and Gen Z childhoods living the best of both worlds with her TV show pop star alter ego Hannah Montana. By the turn of the 10s, she was hammering the final nail in the coffin of that Disney past with the 2013 release of the notorious Bangerz and a racy, controversial new look.
When it comes to fashion, Miley is fearless. During her Bangerz era, the singer took the world stage (literally) decked in a plethora of campy looks (teddybear bustiers, Barbarella cosplay, and a Smarties-covered naked dress) that few would have the audacity to actually pull off. Today, the singer’s repertoire is a little more soigné, though no less risqué. Think vintage Bob Mackie, Tom Ford for Gucci, and Mugler illusion mesh. Here, we look back at some of the singer’s most iconic looks from the 2k10s to 2023.
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At the Met Gala, 2013
In 2013, Miley Cyrus was the zeitgeist. An invitation to the year’s Met Gala — her first, in fact — just seemed to confirm it. Naturally, Miley rocked a naked dress for the occasion, giving fans a hint of what to expect during her upcoming Bangerz era.
At the VMAS, 2013
From shocking Vanity Fair covers to drug scandals, Miley’s never been a stranger to controversy. The public outrage her 2013 VMAs performance incited, however, was next-level. During the perfect storm of a performance — which involved lots and lots of tongue and twerking — Miley wore a campy teddy bear corset which she tore away to reveal a flesh-toned latex bikini.
In the ‘Wrecking Ball’ music video, 2013
With one set of Hanes underwear, Miley Cyrus changed history. Literally. In 2013, the video premiere of “Wrecking Ball” smashed VEVO records by racking up over 19 million views in the first 24 hours of its release. Everyone and their mum tuned in to watch Miley careening through the air on a giant wrecking ball, wearing nothing but a pair of Docs and tighty-whiteys. The look, itself, is so simple, so unassuming, yet so provocative and so, so iconic.
At iHeart Festival, 2019
Miley’s been the main attraction of the iHeart Festival for nearly a decade now. And whether she’s wearing hot pants or full “Country Strong” cosplay, she always shows up to show out. In 2019, she took to the stage in black rockstar leather to perform a high-octane rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” and a belting cover of Pink Floyd’s “Uncomfortably Numb”.
At the VMAS, 2020
In 2020, Miley returned to the VMAs for the first time since hosting the event in 2015. Of course, the singer made her long-awaited reappearance memorable in a naked dress designed by Mugler’s Casey Cadwallader.
At iHeart Festival, 2020
Miley is the queen of the cover song. You’ve no doubt already heard her renditions of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”, The Cranberries’ “Zombie” and Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe” that all took social media by storm. Of the myriad covers she’s performed throughout her career though, Miley’s most iconic is, indisputably, “Heart of Glass.” The singer first performed the Blondie single at iHeart Festival in 2020. Since, the clip has racked up over 133 million views. If you’re one of the few who hasn’t already, I urge you to check out this banger of a performance: Miley belting her heart out and writhing around in a slick Mugler bodysuit like the true rock star she is.
At her own New Year’s Eve party, 2022
For her debut New Year’s Eve party, Miley set the sartorial bar high with a Gucci feathered cape and flaming red Saint Laurent catsuit. This year, in the lead up to her next album era, she upped the ante. Among a line-up that included Tom Ford-era Gucci, vintage Yves Saint Laurent, and multiple Versace pieces, the standout was this sequinned Bob Mackie number. When, though, is a Bob Mackie (the man who has dressed Marilyn Monroe, Cher and Diana Ross) not a standout? With that legacy, it is fitting, then, that this show-stopping look by the designer would be adorning one of the 21st century’s most exciting entertainers.