We can thank Cher for always bringing head-turning outfits to the red carpet. For the 16th Annual Grammy Awards, Cher wore a sheer flowing gown nonchalantly over a white halter bikini top that highlighted her toned waistline (note the embellished butterfly headpiece). What may have seemed just another outfit in the singer’s show-stopping repertoire, Cher’s butterfly motif gown signalled her departure from the iconic ‘Sonny and Cher’ to fully-fledged solo superstar.

 
Leave it to Grace Jones to bring avant-garde fashion onto the Grammy scene. Embodying the gender-blurring, decadent funk of the ‘80s, the ‘Slave to the Rhythm’ star quickly shut down the red carpet in an ultra wide-brim hat and matching all-black leather ensemble. Pointing to Grace Jones’ umbrella-like headpiece, Rick James told the audience, “when it gets wet, fellas, this is the best place to go under”.

 
The epitome of ‘80s style peaked with Olivia Newton-John’s Princess Diana-esque ball gown. In a saturated, eye-squinting magenta, complete with a sweetheart neckline and gathered flounce tiers, Olivia’s paired her Gone with the Wind-style dress with a very of-the-moment voluminous mullet – because, why not?

 
Nominated for their debut album Born to Sing, En Vogue infused the Grammys with energetic African textiles against a particularly sombre year for red carpet fashion. Notably, the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards was deemed as “unmemorable” by Vanity Fair with the exception of En Vogues’ performance with Acappella gospel group Take 6.

 
Mariah Carey graced the 35th Annual Grammy Awards red carpet with a nomination for her carefree anthem ‘Dreamlover’. Mariah’s simple yet refined style during the ‘90s proved you just can’t go wrong with figure-skimming, strappy dress. But in a sea of slinky slip dresses, take style cues from Mariah with her approach to colour-drenching – see her matching heels and bag, complete with the Red Ribbon, the international symbol of AIDS awareness.

 
It was hard to narrow down a defining moment for the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, but a photo opp of Madonna and Shania Twain rounds-out the decade that gave us a lot of firsts. Country music star Shania Twain opted for a modest turtleneck gown dotted with iridescent sequins, while ‘Material Girl’ Madonna showed up casually in a plain white tank and embellished lavender Gucci trousers. Polar opposites in style, the two artist’s looks represent what true nineties fashion meant; varied, obscure and brimming with personality.

 
Other than that J. Lo dress, a few other of the 42nd Annual Grammy Award attendees may have slipped under your radar. Britney Spears, who made her Grammys debut in 2000 in a Marilyn Monroe-inspired gown, is one of those attendees worthy of your attention. Spears’ memorable red carpet moment featured the superstar in a white Oscar de la Renta form-fitting gown, complemented with a fur stole and diamonds. A breakaway from her girl-next-door image, Britney Spears’ approach to red carpet fashion revolutionised the Noughties.