Remembering Etta James' Soulful Songs and Style

Famous for songs like "At Last," L'OFFCIEL celebrates Etta James' birthday with a look back at her most significant style choices.

Known for her emotionally evocative and Grammy Award-winning songs like "At Last" and "A Sunday Kind of Love," Etta James’ music will never go out of style. Originally a gospel prodigy, James’ songs span a number of genres including R&B, blues, jazz, rock and roll, and soul. In 2008, Beyoncé played the singer in the film Cadillac Records, about the recording studio that produced James' most time-honored album At Last! The star-studded casting choice is reflective of James' profound impact on music and style. For her birthday, L'OFFICIEL revisits her most emblematic ensembles on and off the stage.

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A bold singer and dresser, James performs in a long but shape-revealing floral patterned dress in Los Angeles, California.

Flashing back to 1955, James poses for a Modern Records portrait in a youthful strapless tulle lined gown and decorative choker.

Perhaps the most iconic aspect of James' style is her bold makeup and platinum Jayne Mansfield-inspired curls.

An example of James' simple but proud personal style, the singer performs with bare shoulders and lace gloves.

Nominated in 1960 for the Best R&B Performance Grammy Award, James wears statement earrings while singing the knockout song "All I Could Do Was Cry."

The singer gets glamorous in this sequin and tulle one shouldered cocktail dress for the cover of her 1964 rock and roll album “Etta James Rocks the House."

James dons a low-neck body hugging dress for her third Grammy-nominated song in 1967, "Tell Mama."

Also taken in 1967, this photo offers a paisley-printed example of James's personal style as she performs at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

James looks poised in a black suit jacket and pearls at Chess Records, where she recorded her debut studio album "At Last!"

James opts for a blazer again, this time made of silk shantung and cinched at the waist to emphasize her curvy figure.