God is a Woman: Ariana Grande’s Style Evolution

Baby-faced and new to the spotlight, Ariana Grande hit the scene in 2008 as one of the stars of the Broadway musical, 13. At just 15, the future superstar’s style was cute and casual.

In 2010, rising up among the celebrity ranks as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon’s Victorious, Ariana was starting to play around with her style, opting for bodycon fits, mini dresses and embellished designs.

Attending a gala in 2011, Ariana, who had just signed to Republic Records that same year, rocked a satin mini-dress with a feathered bottom. The look was funky, sweet — and just a little edgy — a style recipe that was quickly becoming the singer’s signature look.

In 2012, while attending a film premiere, Ariana used the occasion to dabble in a little glam. The singer stunned in a strapless floor-length gown with a sweetheart-neckline, wearing her hair swept back into a chic low ponytail.

Looking scrumptious in an adorable mini-dress with sweetheart-neckline, full skirt and macaron-print, Ariana pulled off yet another too-cute-to-knock ensemble at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards.

In 2013, with chart-topping hits and a successful debut record under her belt, Ariana was basking in some seriously well-earned industry success. As for her style, her look seemed to consistently include short hemlines and long extensions — a cutesy-formula that’s worked well for the singer’s image.

Sparkling and looking statuesque for her petite frame, Ariana nailed it in a strapless red sequin gown for the 2013 American Music Awards.

Dominating the charts with her blend of pop and R&B and enjoying the spotlight with then-boyfriend Big Sean, 2014 was another great year for Ariana. She also stole the show in thigh-high boots while performing at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show that same year.

For MTV’s EMA’s in 2014, Ariana rocked a dramatic black floor-length gown with cut-out details, smooth locks and a smokey eye. This was a departure for the star in terms of both her style and beauty choices — but even without the usual bold colours and funky prints, she managed to steal the show and still land on best-dressed lists for the look.

Looking like an absolute goddess, Ariana (and then-boyfriend Big Sean) stepped out for the Grammy’s in 2015 and, it's safe to say, she nailed it.

Accessorizing with some awards-show hardware, Ariana wore a strapless mini dress with contrasting prints and fabrics to the American Music Awards in 2015.

In 2016, Ariana kept the momentum going — with new music, and new romances. With her songs topping the charts, Ari’s personal life was just as busy, as the singer said "Thank You, Next" to Big Sean and began dating rapper Mac Miller, whom she’d met back in 2012 while recording a track together. Her style was still evolving, with the singer swapping out her mini-skirts for some high-waisted pant styles while attending events and performing throughout the year.

Giving all the futuristic-fashion vibes, Ariana rocked an edgy blue-and-black gown with cut-outs and strap details to the Billboard Music Awards in 2016. While generally sticking to fits that flatter her petite frame, Ari has always been up for experimenting with funky prints, patterns and colours — and this dress did not disappoint.

Ari had a “Marilyn moment” at the MTV Movie Awards in 2016 — and pulled it off in a big way.

In 2017, following Ariana’s concert at Manchester Arena in England, a terrorist suicide-bomber killed 23 people and injured more than 800 others, as concert-goer’s were leaving the arena. The incident caused Ariana to suffer from PTSD and anxiety, which she would struggle with and speak about in later years. More substance than style, Ariana kept it subdued during an emotional benefit concert, which raised $23 million for the victims and victims’ families of the suicide bombing.

Rocking thigh-high boots and a strapless mini dress with a full-skirt, Ariana opted for a monochromatic lavender look at the 2018 Billboard’s Women in Music event.

Professionally, 2018 was another successful year for Ariana — with No. 1 hits and bestselling records, sold-out tours and as much enthusiasm from fans as ever. Personally, it was a roller-coaster. After the tragic death of ex-bf Mac Miller, who overdosed earlier that year, Ariana started dating comedian Pete Davidson. The couple got engaged — and broke it off — all in the span of the same year. The publicity and drama of her relationships seemed to take a toll on Ari, who would keep her private life relatively low-key until 2020, when she started dating realtor Dalton Gomez, who she then married in a private ceremony in 2021. As for her style? The baby-doll dresses and thigh-high boots continued to reign supreme.

Because what else would off-duty Ariana do in the rain? The adorable singer sported casual and oversized sweats while dancing in the rain in New York in 2018.

Inspired by the Sistine Chapel, Ariana looked heavenly in a custom creation by Vera Wang for the 2018 Met Gala.

Ariana’s jaw-dropping strapless grey gown she wore to the 2020 Grammy's still has us in awe. This gown was easily one of the best of the night and cemented the singer’s status on best-dressed lists across the globe. While we haven’t gotten too many glimpses of Ari recently, we’re confident the newlywed superstar has some killer style lined up for 2021…