Katy Perry has been rocking statement looks since she first hit the music scene with “I Kissed A Girl” in 2008. Whether it’s walking the red carpet at the Met Gala or an appearance on a late-night talk show, the pop star has always brought a signature camp style, chock-full of bright colors, daring silhouettes, and bold jewelry.
While she’s been consistent with her favorite designers (like Zuhair Murad and Vivienne Westwood) over the years, the singer has ushered in a new style era of late. Perry continues to incorporate eye-catching elements in her wardrobe (after all, she is still a performer) but recently she’s shown a taste for quieter sophistication.
Perry has been open about the shift in her style, telling InStyle in 2022 that she feels like “two different people.” Though her stage persona is “over-animated” and “very larger-than-life,” the singer has come to value a more toned-down vibe for her everyday looks, opting for a pop of color rather than a mix of hues.
“I would say that in my personal life, it’s becoming a little bit more sophisticated and less kooky,” she said. “I save the kook for the stage. But it’s still an elevated kook. There’s no messiness to any of it. It’s intentional camp.”
Camp or sophisticated, one thing’s for sure: the singer can craft a show-stopping ensemble. Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Katy Perry outfits from the red carpet and beyond.
Katy Perry in a Vivienne Westwood gown at King Charles III’s coronation in 2023
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The songstress stole the show at King Charles III’s coronation when she performed “Firework” in this custom gold ballgown from Vivienne Westwood. The fully gilded look featured a corseted bodice, a plunging neckline, and detachable long sleeves. Giant gold cherub earrings finished off this camp look.
Katy Perry in a Dior gown at the Tiffany & Co. store opening in 2023
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For the re-opening of the Tiffany & Co. store in New York City, Perry went for classic glamor in this vintage Dior gown with ruffle detailing and mesh straps. She accessorized with some jewels from the brand, including a diamond tennis necklace and a sapphire ring.
Katy Perry in a Roberto Cavalli dress at an American Idol taping in 2023
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Leave it to Perry to make a denim dress elegant! She went for a patchwork number from Roberto Cavalli, which was complete with a thin scarf, a corset bodice, and a draped skirt. Black platform heels and fringe earrings gave this look an extra edgy touch.
Katy Perry in a zebra ensemble at Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2023
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Even for her more casual appearances, Perry brings her fashion A-game. She turned heads in this zebra-print combo from The Attico, which included a blazer, a mini-skirt, and an asymmetrical crop top covered in metal chains. Black thigh-high boots from Paris Texas and matching shades finished off this statement look.
Katy Perry in a Zimmerman two-piece at the G’Day USA Arts Gala in 2023
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Ab-baring gowns aren’t typical gala fashion, but Perry made it work in this gold foil two-piece from Zimmerman. She added an elegant touch to the look with a spiral cuff bracelet and dangly gold-chain earrings.
Katy Perry in a Marques’ Almeida denim corset and jeans at the CMA Awards in 2022
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Perry took us back to the early aughts with this double denim look she wore to the 2022 CMA Awards. The Marques’ Alameida ensemble included an off-the-shoulder denim corset and baggy jeans with an oversized bow embellishment, which she accessorized with crystal-studded pointed-toe pumps and a diamond choker.
Katy Perry in an Oscar de la Renta dress at the Met Gala in 2022
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Perry was all about sleek and timeless glamor at the 2022 Met Gala, opting for a black-and-cream Oscar de la Renta gown with sheer detailing and a floral lace overlay. The finishing touches — sheer opera gloves and diamond-drop earrings — are what brought this romantic look together.
Katy Perry in a Marni sweater set in New York City in 2022
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Not only did Perry look extremely cozy in this Marni two-piece sweater set, but she elevated the winter look with her bold accessories. The red trench coat, matching knee-high boots, and tortoise sunglasses gave this a cool-girl edge.
Katy Perry in a Vivienne Westwood dress at the CMA Awards in 2021
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Perry might not be a country singer, but she sure knows how to walk the CMA Awards red carpet. In 2021, she stunned in this caramel-colored dress by Vivienne Westwood, a layered pearl necklace, and a sleek topknot.
Katy Perry in a Schiaparelli gown at the Variety Power of Women event in 2021
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The singer delivered at Variety’s Power of Women event in this lavender Schiaparelli gown. The design featured a corset bodice, oversized balloon sleeves, and a sweeping train. She styled the voluminous dress with gemstone drop earrings, which were just as eye-catching.
Katy Perry in a Pierre Cardin gown at the LuisaViaRoma for Unicef event in 2021
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Flared white sleeves topped with black bows added drama to Perry’s vintage black-and-cream gown by Pierre Cardin. She accessorized the chic look with diamond-and-pearl drop earrings from Buccellati.
Katy Perry in a Louis Vuitton dress at the Louis Vuitton Parfum Dinner in 2021
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Perry attended the Louis Vuitton Parfum dinner in Paris wearing a colorful dress from the brand that featured a sparkling chain-link bodice and a tulle skirt. She complemented the metallic color palette with black mules and a silver purse.
Katy Perry in a Mara Hoffman dress at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup event in 2020
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Just days after announcing her pregnancy, Perry showed off her baby bump in this color-blocked dress by Mara Hoffman at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup event. Orange Rejina Pyo sandals and statement drop earrings by Rachel Comey rounded out this fun look.
Katy Perry in a Prada dress at the Baby2Baby Gala in 2019
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Perry posed for photos at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala in this dazzling Prada gown. The sleek black skirt with an empire waistline was offset by a silver chainmail bodice with draped sleeves and gemstone embellishments.
Katy Perry in a Moschino mini dress at the Met Gala in 2019
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The Met Gala’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme was tailor-made for Perry, and she quite literally lit up the carpet in this chandelier-inspired ensemble by Moschino, which included a mini dress covered in Swarovski crystals and a working light fixture.
“There is a built-in corset consisting of 18 steel bones and two hidden battery packs to illuminate the lights. I mean, who wants to wear a chandelier that doesn’t light up,” designer Jeremy Scott told Vogue. “Working with Katy is always fun, because she really gets my humor and can play with it like nobody else and even amp it up a few notches.”
Katy Perry in Sally LaPointe at Good Morning America in 2019
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Perry served an impeccable monochromatic outfit at Good Morning America in this bright blue Sally LaPointe ensemble. She paired high-waisted sequin pants with a turtleneck sweater, a faux fur coat, and pointed-toe heels.
Katy Perry in a Balmain Couture gown at the Grammys in 2019
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For the 2019 Grammys, Perry channeled Barbie in this bubblegum-pink Balmain Couture gown. The strapless number featured a silver-accented bodice and a structured pleated skirt, which called for a simple pair of diamond earrings to finish off the look.
Katy Perry in a Galia Lahav jumpsuit at the QVC x FFANY Shoes on Sale Gala in 2018
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At the QVC x FFANY Shoes on Sale Gala, Perry nailed another monochromatic look in this pink sequined jumpsuit from Galia Lahav with a strapless neckline and an attached train. She styled the pastel look with sheer opera gloves, a bow headband, and pointed-toe pumps from her own shoe collection.
Katy Perry in a Maison Margiela gown at the Met Gala in 2017
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As a co-host for the 2017 Met Gala, the pressure was on Perry to deliver a standout look. She did not disappoint. The singer wore a red tulle gown from Maison Margiela, a matching veil, diamond rings by Lorraine Schwartz, and red Tabi boots.
Katy Perry in a Jean Paul Gaultier dress at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2017
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For the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty, Perry masterfully blended her two styles in this bronze Jean Paul Gaultier dress for a bold yet sophisticated look. She kept her accessories simple with black ankle-strap heels and a matching clutch.