Miley Cyrus' Style Evolution

The artist has been in a constant state of reinvention since her childhood Disney days, with each chapter revealing an even more authentic Miley than the last.

From a wholesome, idealized tween pop star to a rebellious and raunchy renegade, Miley Cyrus has run the gamut in the court of public opinion. While being painted as Disney’s perfect pop princess from a young age, the husky voiced singer has always artistically expressed herself through her music and sartorial choices since her formative years, attempting to break out of the confines of the Hannah Montana mold.

When first beginning to find herself outside of her cookie-cutter Disney character, Cyrus' long wavy brunette locks were often accompanied with edgy-boho looks at the peak of her Can’t Be Tamed era. From there, we saw Cyrus endure her first very public split from her then-fiancé Liam Hemsworth, and go through what may be her most radical transformation yet. She chopped off all of her hair, gave a shocking performance at the 2013 VMAs with a giant foam finger and Robin Thicke, stripped down to her skivvies, and hopped on a wrecking ball. After Bangerz, Cyrus entered her Younger Now era with the reemergence of her relationship with Hemsworth, exuding a more stripped-down, raw, and natural version of herself, pulling more from her Nashville roots with some of Elvis’ rockabilly sartorial ques.

In 2020, the rockstar performed song covers during MTV’s Backyard Sessions while promoting her album, Plastic Hearts. From her choppy shag haircut to her ripped fishnet tights, she solidifed her rockstar status. But it was her song "Flowers" from her Endless Summer Vacation album that cemented her as an icon. With over a billion streams on the upbeat revenge track about relationship with her now-ex husband Hemsworth, fans can't help but love Cyrus's knack for holding nothing back.

While she is constantly transforming, no matter the era or phase, one thing’s for sure–when it comes to her musical and sartorial expression, “she’s just being Miley.” To celebrate the star’s 31st birthday, L’OFFICIEL examines Cyrus’ notorious and expansive style evolution.

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Cyrus at a press event for ‘Hannah Montana’ in 2006.

Cyrus as Hannah Montana, 2006.

Cyrus attends the Teen Choice Awards in a satin dress over jeans.

The young talent appears at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards in a strapless, flowing Marchesa gown in 2009.

The budding starlet attends the 81st Annual Academy Awards in a Zuhair Murad scalloped gown inspired by Christian Dior's 1949 "Junon" gown in 2009.

Beginning to break from her bubblegum persona, Cyrus goes to the 2009 Teen Choice Awards in a black sequined mini skirt and a white tank top.

Mixing boho with rocker style, Cyrus is pictured at the ‘Hannah Montana’ wrap party in 2010 in a cream mini dress paired with a leather moto jacket.

Cyrus performs at the 2010 American Music Awards in a black bohemian bell sleeved, lace-up gown.

The singer gives a private concert in the 1515 Club in Paris, 2010.

Going for a more classic look, Cyrus wears a long sleeved Roberto Cavalli gown to the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Cyrus' 2012 street style consisted of band tees, boho bags, and bell bottom jeans.

After recently debuting a dramatic hair transformation, Cyrus went all-out with spiked strands and a fishnet Marc Jacobs gown for the 2013 Met Gala.

The singer infamously performs with Robin Thicke at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.

With her then-signature ’do, Cyrus rocks her double top-knots and a two-piece bedazzled set.

Cyrus began pushing the limits with her costumes while on the ‘Bangerz’ tour in 2014.

Leaving her Disney persona well in the past, Cyrus wears a cannabis-printed bodysuit on tour.

The star changed outfits numerous times while hosting the 2015 MTV VMAs, but opened the show in a silver barely-there Atelier Versace ensemble, with a crystal chandelier-like skirt.

For hosting the VMAs, Cyrus wears…almost nothing.

With an Elvis-inspired faux-pompadour hairdo, the singer performs music from her ‘Younger Now’ album in 2017.

Like her hit-song "Malibu," Cyrus taps into her more country, bohemian side for this period of time.

Cyrus works a black velvet Jean Paul Gaultier piece to the 2018 Grammys.

The singer dons a billowing red Zac Posen gown to perform with Elton John.

Cyrus wears a fun hot pink Moschino sequined gown to the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in 2018.

Going for Old Hollywood glam, Cyrus opts for a slinky black Stella McCartney gown for the 2018 Met Gala.

Sighted in London, Miley promotes her new single with Mark Ronson, "Nothing Breaks Like A Heart,” in an all-black ensemble, topped with a faux-fur coat in 2018.

Cyrus is spotted in NYC in a plaid look with a statement T-shirt on gun control expressing, "Protect kids not guns."

The singer’s style matures in the late 2010s, as displayed by the sleek black Mugler suit she wears to the 2019 Grammy Awards.

Miley works an open vest linked by a chain while performing with Shawn Mendes at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

Cyrus accordingly wears Chanel to the Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Oscar Awards Dinner in 2019.

The singer dons a slick black sequined Saint Laurent low-cut gown to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2019. The French fashion label is a favorite of the singer.

Cyrus appears as her lilac-haired character, Ashley O, for her episode of ‘Black Mirror.’

Both attending and performing, Cyrus opts for a Tom Ford suit with pink lapels for the Women's Cancer Research Fund event in 2019.

At last year’s premiere of ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ Cyrus has fun in a strapless black velvet Saint Laurent cut-out gown.

For the Camp-themed Met Gala, some think that Cyrus’ Saint Laurent mini dress and blonde hair was her going as an ironic Hannah Montana.

Sighted in London, Cyrus wears a plain white tee, black slacks, and an intricate vest with Chanel accessories in 2019.

Miley attends the Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 2020 men’s show in an all-black ensemble and shimmering blazer.

Cyrus performs at the Glastonbury Festival in a cropped white tank, black latex pants, a gold Gucci belt, and coordinating Chanel accessories in 2019.

The singer again takes the stage in leather, this time pairing the leather pants with a strappy bra top and opera gloves.

In a Ralph Lauren cowgirl hat, a Fendi button-down, and blue jeans, Cyrus clearly looks back on her Nashville roots for this street style moment.

Cyrus dresses in head-to-toe Tom Ford for the designer's Spring/ Summer 2020 runway show in New York.

Staying true to her laidback street style, Cyrus carries a Gucci bag paired with Louis Vuitton jeans and a cropped striped sweater.

While performing for the Global Citizen's virtual Unite for Our Future Concert supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and those affected by the novel coronavirus, Cyrus wears a shimmering teal Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture dress.

Spotted in New York, the star wears a plain white tank top, a red Chanel bag, and red leather pants mimicking those of her costume in her "Mother's Daughter" music video.

Going glam-rock for “Midnight Sky,” Cyrus opens the music video in a black cut-out leotard by Self-Portrait, jeweled gloves, and Chanel accessories.

In another look from the “Midnight Sky” video, the singer shines in a purple sequined Gucci gown.

On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Cyrus takes the stage in a black cut-out gown with crystalized fringe and electric blue eyeshadow.

While performing Blondie's "Heart of Glass" at the 2020 iHeart Radio Music Festival, Cyrus works a sheer Mugler bodysuit.

Cyrus has a standout moment in a voluminous Sohee Park ensemble.

In her recent MTV Backyard Sessions, Cyrus wears a tight, low-cut snake skin dress to perform her own renditions of songs like "Just Breathe" by Pearl Jam and "Communication" by the Cardigans.

In her MTV Backyard Sessions, Cyrus wears a tight, low-cut snake skin dress to perform her own renditions of songs like "Just Breathe" by Pearl Jam and "Communication" by the Cardigans.