Sabrina's Style Evolution

Sabrina Carpenter’s style is highly distinctive. The voluminous, full-fringe-curtain-bang combo has women everywhere in a chokehold, and her simple, sweet-but-sexy outfits charmingly echo the previous decades, refreshing to see in an ever-changing fashion world.

But she wasn’t an overnight sensation, nor did she burst onto the scene as a retro sex-kitten; it took a few eras and a hot minute to cultivate her look (there’s hope for us all, I guess!). Here we’ll investigate Sabrina’s style evolution – from her Disney days through to the present, and follow her journey towards a hugely successful rebranding.

The Musical Mirror: How Her Sound Shapes Her Style

At only twenty-six, Sabrina has a hefty six albums under her belt. She had her first hit with ‘Skin’, marking the start of a steady incline: in 2023, ‘Feather’ reached 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, and last year she rose to huge worldwide prominence with the release of megahit ‘Espresso’.

‘Skin’ is a synth-pop ballad with mature, introspective lyrics that centre around strength and self-acceptance. The music video is intimate, depicting her and a boyfriend lovingly interacting in their home. The house begins collapsing around them, but they’re unfazed by the destruction, seemingly a metaphor for their stability as a couple. It features a variety of outfits, including a silk shirt and jeans – a departure from her earlier, less sophisticated looks. By this point, she had the beginnings of the trademark fringe (just without the shape), and her breakaway from the child star image was evident.

‘Espresso’ is a funky, infectious track about romantic infatuation – the video, which takes place on a beach, is much more playful and overtly feminine. She sports a Brigitte Bardot-esque swimsuit and wide headband. It’s suggestive rather than vulgar, reminiscent of a ‘50s or ’60s sex siren. Here, she’s really embracing her feminine power while maintaining a level of class.

In the video for her latest number one, ‘Manchild’, Sabrina wears daisy dukes with a cropped blouse, evoking a country-inspired look. The song also has a distinctly country sound, created through her use of the banjo and Dolly-inspired vocals. The juxtaposition between the sarcastic, scathing lyrics and upbeat, carefree melody is humorous and typical of the streetwise, takes-no-shit personality she’s recently adopted. Plus, the fringe is out in full force.

The Power of Collaboration and Confidence

In 2023, she began working with stylist Jared Ellner (could he be responsible for the fringe?!), and in 2024, she began writing with Jack Antanoff and Amy Allen. This musical collaboration seems to lend a richness and innovation to her music that wasn't there before. Her new sound is eclectic, confident and bold, just like her new aesthetic. Her earlier stuff, while solid and catchy, feels more generic and not quite as sure of itself. Now, she unashamedly leans into her diverse influences, which range from Fleetwood Mac to Mariah Carey… a wise move, because sometimes finding your voice is about embracing the voices that came before you. She also makes no secret of her team’s contributions, openly crediting them and posing with them for pictures. We stan a self-aware queen.

In essence, her fashion has always reflected her music and the life stage she was in contemporaneously. Perhaps now it also mirrors her newfound confidence, stemming from her incredible journey to success. Either way, she rocks it, and we hope it’s here to stay.