The Kardashians' Style Evolution: From Reality TV to Fashion Royalty
Perhaps you’ve forgotten Kim Kardashian was once famous for starring in a sex tape with the now irrelevant rapper Ray-J—frankly most people have. The family that was initially thrust into the tabloids after the trial of O.J. Simpson has evolved far beyond the on screen fame of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. The show, which premiered in 2007 announced in September 2020 it would be coming to a close after a total of 20 seasons.
For many, this marks the end of an era and beginning of a rerun marathon, but considering all the Kardashians are up to now, the change seems appropriate. Kim is going to law school and pursuing a career in prison reform, in addition to fronting Skims and KKW Beauty. Kourtney Kardashian runs a self-care and wellness website Poosh. Khloé Kardashian has a denim line, Good American. Kylie Jenner is at the head of a lucrative cosmetics empire, and Kendall Jenner has walked over 90 high fashion runways for iconic fashion houses like Givenchy, Chanel, Versace, Fendi, and more, making her a bona fide supermodel.
Developing right alongside the family’s professional lives has been their personal style. From Kim to Kylie, Kourtney, Kendall, Khloe, and even Kris, the whole Kardashian clan has upped (and at times downed) their fashion game. Take a look back at their entire style evolution, from early 2000s logomania to Met Gala showstoppers, and more.
All five Kardashian-Jenner sisters attended the 2007 premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Kim stole the show per usual with a plunging purple neckline next to her more subtly dressed sisters, Kourtney and Khloé. At the time Kendall was only 11, and Kylie only 10, but they dressed for the occasion nonetheless.
Bandage dresses were all the rage amongst the reality star-studded crew in 2008. Bodycon was the perfect fit for the curve-obsessed sisters.
Wedge heels, sparkles, and cheerleader style poufs. It was a time filled with racoon style eye makeup and Macy’s-esque ensembles for the family. In their defense, this was totally on-par with what the rest of the world was wearing back then, too.
So much is happening in this 2010 style snapshot, there really isn’t one succinct way to categorize it all. However amidst the cowl necks, bubble skirts, and maxi dress material, thick under-the-boob belts seems to be a constant.
This 2011 red carpet cheetah print covered moment was in celebration of the family’s launch of their Sears Kardashian Kollection. Only Kourtney seems to have opted out of the animal print theme.
Kim and Kanye West arrived at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival as one of the latest power couples. The pair had just begun dating publicly and it was reflected in the shift in Kim’s new slicked back hair and decadently embroidered mini dress look.
Within a year of announcing their romance, Kim’s style progressed enough to earn her an invite to the most exclusive fashion event of each year, the Met Gala. She made her first NYC entrance pregnant alongside Kanye in a floral Givenchy dress and matching gloves.
The family may not have been invited to the 2014 Oscars, but they did receive an invitation to Elton John’s Oscar party and they made the most of it with their fashion. Kendall was not present, but only because she was too busy making her Paris Fashion Week runway debut for Givenchy's Fall/Winter Winter 2014 show.
In 2015, West released his first Yeezy collection and it quickly made its way into the closet of every Kardashian including that of his infant daughter North.
In 2016 Khloé coined a weight loss transformation as her “revenge body” and showed it off in this pink latex look. That same year, Khloé released her own fashion brand, Good American, which started with size inclusive denim, but has gone on to offer bodysuits, swim, activewear, and more.
By 2017 Kendall was a legitimate top model and Victoria’s Secret angel. Here, she and Kim are photographed at that year’s Daily Front Row Fashion Media Awards, where she was honored with the Fashion Icon of the Decade award.
In 2018 Kris, Kim, Kendall, and Kylie attended Business of Fashion's "Age of Influence" party. The foursome was a decked in designer: Kim wearing Versace and Kylie in Celine. By this time, both Kim and Kylie had become multi-millioniare cosmetic moguls.
In 2019, between Kim’s custom “dripping wet” Thierry Mugler dress and Kendall and Kylie’s coordinated Versace gowns, the Kardashian-Jenners dominated the Met Gala. The outfits went viral online, sparking countless social media memes and are still relevant enough to inspire a Halloween or Met-themed party costume.
Last year may not have been a year of red carpet looks and runway walks, but Kylie continued to serve looks on Instagram, including this mommy-daughter matching moment with Stormi. Kylie's style has certainly grown up since she was first introduced to the world as a young teen, and the beauty mogul now has an enviable closet filled with streetwear and drool-worthy designer finds.
This photo of Kendall sporting Givenchy's brand new Fall/Winter 2021 collection pretty much sums up the current style status of the Kardashian family: high fashion, highly regarded, and a whole lot better than when they first came into the public eye.
