It’s Britney, Bitch – The Living Legacy Of Britney’s Iconic Outfits

With a career spanning nearly thirty years (say whaaat?) and a history of both private and public struggles, there’s a lot to talk about when it comes to Britney. But not only has she rightly been dubbed the princess of pop – she’s also considered a fashion icon. Whether it’s a red-carpet statement piece or a casual errand-running getup, she never fails to wow a crowd. You might not have been there for the early days, but her influence is everywhere, and the new wave of popstars draw inspiration from the young Britney. So in case anyone isn’t up to speed or simply needs reminding, here’s a lookback on some of her most memorable outfits.

‘Slave 4 U’  performance at the VMAs, 2001

Ok, who could deny that this was a cultural reset? – the green bikini-style top, embellished shorts and freaking PYTHON wrapped around her shoulders?! We are not worthy. The snake, which was a whopping seven feet long, was a metaphor for temptation, her budding sexuality as a young woman, and the fear of the unknown. This sparked a trend for crop tops and low-rise bottoms, and to this day is used as a Halloween costume.

‘Oops!... I Did It Again’ music video, 2000

Brit is perhaps synonymous with the red catsuit; borne from her own vision of wearing such an outfit on Mars, it was another departure from the wholesome, girl-next-door image of her ‘Sometimes’ era. It looks like latex (although there’s debate around the material, so don’t quote me), and exudes a sexy and powerful energy. Britney’s songwriting abilities are often overlooked, but Fizzy won’t dismiss her creative input when it comes to fashion! While the catsuit isn’t something you’d wear day to day, other artists’ videos at the time were influenced by both her style and that of her backup dancers.

Attending the AMAs, 2001

Ah yes, the age of Britney and Justin… simpler times, right? The lovebirds made headlines when they stepped out in denim at the American Music Awards: Britney in a long, floor-length strapless dress with a thin studded belt, and Justin in jeans, a denim jacket and a matching cowboy hat. This head-to-toe denim look was replicated by other celebrities and, like the 'Slave 4 U' outfit, is a popular choice of Halloween costume.

Britney’s trendsetter status is not to be sniffed at, and has an enduring influence – which look are you planning to emulate?