See the Evolution of Cher’s Style

2 minute read

There’s a reason Cher is called the goddess of pop — she’s won an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy and three Golden Globes, all while creating a number of memorable cultural moments.

From hosting the campy yet beloved Sonny and Cher show to giving us gems like Moonstruck and Mermaids to becoming Twitter’s most outspoken (and beloved) commentator to pioneering autotune, Cher’s legacy is indisputable. However, it’s not just the entertainment industry that has been blessed by the cultural phenomenon known as Cher; the now septuagenarian has forever changed the way we see celebrity fashion.

As with her singing and her acting, Cher took risks with her style — and subsequently became a fashion icon. As she once sagely said, “Until you’re ready to look foolish, you’ll never have the possibility of being great.”

Each decade of Cher’s career has brought unforgettable fashion statements; from her dreamy boho and blue jeans-clad glamour in the ‘60s to the mohawks, towering headdresses, and sheer bedazzled Bob Mackie looks of the ‘80s (call her the OG of the “naked dress“) and everything in between, Cher’s style choices were both fabulous and fearless, the physical embodiment of her dynamic confidence.

As we celebrate seven fabulous decades with the one and only Cher, turn back time with some of her most iconic looks above.

Sonny & Cher in the mid-1960s.
Cher and Sonny Bono in the mid-1960s.Jan Olofsson—Getty Images
Cher in October 1964,
Cher in October 1964,Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Cher and Sonny Bono in London on Aug. 3, 1965.
Cher and Sonny Bono in London on Aug. 3, 1965.Douglas Miller—Getty Images
Cher Brushes Hair
Cher in 1968. Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Cher backstage in Los Angeles in March 1968.
Cher backstage in Los Angeles in March 1968.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Cher with designer Stephen Burrows prepare for a shoot with Vogue in 1970.
Cher with designer Stephen Burrows prepare for a shoot with Vogue on Oct. 1, 1970.Charles Tracy—Conde Nast/Getty Images
Cher in a promotional photo for The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour in 1972.
Cher in a promotional photo for The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour in 1972. CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Cher in 1972.
Cher in 1972. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Cher with daughter Chastity Bono in 1972.
Cher with daughter Chastity Bono in 1972. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Cher performing in Feb.1975.
Cher performing in Feb.1975.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Cher performs at the Rock Music Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles on Aug. 9, 1975.
Cher performs at the Rock Music Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles on Aug. 9, 1975.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
David Bowie and Cher perform on the variety television show Cher on Sept. 18, 1975 in Los Angeles.
David Bowie and Cher perform on the variety television show Cher on Sept. 18, 1975 in Los Angeles.CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Cher during the 1978 Disco Convention Banquet in New York City on Feb. 28, 1979.
Cher during the 1978 Disco Convention Banquet in New York City on Feb. 28, 1979.Ron Galella—Getty Images
Cher with her band Black Rose perform in Central Park in New York City on Aug. 30, 1980.
Cher with her band Black Rose perform in Central Park in New York City on Aug. 30, 1980.Waring Abbott—Getty Images
Cher in Los Angeles in Jan. 1984.
Cher in Los Angeles in Jan. 1984.Harry Langdon—Getty Images
Cher promotes the film Mask in London on June 1, 1985.
Cher promotes the film Mask in London on June 1, 1985.Dave Hogan—Getty Images
Designer and longtime collaborator Bob Mackie and Cher attend the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala in New York City on Dec. 9, 1985.
Designer and longtime collaborator Bob Mackie and Cher attend the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala in New York City on Dec. 9, 1985.Ron Galella—Getty Images
Cher holds her Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar for Moonstruck in Los Angeles on April 11, 1988.
Cher holds her Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar for Moonstruck in Los Angeles on April 11, 1988.John T. Barr—Getty Images
Cher at Bob Mackie's 1988 Halloween Party in Century City, Calif. on Oct. 31, 1988.
Cher at Bob Mackie's 1988 Halloween Party in Century City, Calif. on Oct. 31, 1988.Ron Galella—Getty Images
Cher during the video shoot for If I Could Turn Back Time on the USS Missouri in Long Beach, Calif. on July 1, 1989.
Cher during the video shoot for If I Could Turn Back Time on the USS Missouri in Long Beach, Calif. on July 1, 1989.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Cher and former partner Rob Camilletti at the MTV Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 5, 1991.
Cher and former partner Rob Camilletti at the MTV Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 5, 1991.Barry King—Getty Images
Cher during the 70th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 23, 1998.
Cher during the 70th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 23, 1998.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Cher performs during her "Do You Believe?" tour in the U.K. in 1999.
Cher performs during her "Do You Believe?" tour in the U.K. in 1999.Nicky J. Sims—Getty Images
Cher attends the Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone premiere In London on Nov. 4, 2001.
Cher attends the Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone premiere In London on Nov. 4, 2001.Justin Goff—Getty Images
Cher performs in Australia in 2005.
Cher performs in Australia in 2005.Bob King—Getty Images
Cher in New York City on June 27, 2013.
Cher in New York City on June 27, 2013.Charles Sykes—Getty Images
Cher performs during her "Dressed To Kill" tour in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 22, 2014.
Cher performs during her "Dressed To Kill" tour in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 22, 2014.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Cher and designer Marc Jacobs attend the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala in New York City on May 4, 2015.
Cher and designer Marc Jacobs attend the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala in New York City on May 4, 2015.Jamie McCarthy—FilmMagic
Cher in Los Angeles on Aug. 23, 2015.
Cher in Los Angeles on Aug. 23, 2015.Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images
Cher speaks onstage during the 2016 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Calif. on May 3, 2016.
Cher speaks onstage during the 2016 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Calif. on May 3, 2016.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images

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Write to Cady Lang at cady.lang@timemagazine.com