The Most Shocking Outfits Beyonce Has Ever Worn

Does such a thing as a bad outfit really exist when it comes to Beyoncé? The slay queen can pull off even the trickiest of attire, so it's not without reason that she's officially been hailed as a Fashion Icon (the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc., or CFDA, awarded her the honor in 2016). To Beyoncé, as said in her CFDA acceptance speech, fashion is "a tool for finding your own identity, expression, and strength. It transcends style and is a time capsule of our greatest milestones."

The Grammy history maker can rock a fitted bodysuit on stage with as much panache as she can a billowing gown while strutting her stuff during red carpet events. Her style is timeless, and, as it turns out, she's not hesitant to shake things up in the closet once in a while. Her longtime collaborator and stylist, Ty Hunter, once told Vogue, "I've been with her for so long, and each time she surprises me. She's [okay] playing around and taking risks, and that's what makes my job so much easier."

Every time Beyoncé walks out looking like the million bucks she is, she creates a stir. Let's just say the world isn't always ready for the power of Queen Bey! Here's taking a look at some of her most memorable wardrobe choices and how they've captivated onlookers.

The euphoria in India was palpable when the band Coldplay dropped the music video for their hit single, "Hymn for the Weekend," in January 2016. Parts of the video, featuring Chris Martin and crew, as well as a special appearance by Beyoncé, were shot in India against the country's rich cultural backdrop (via Mumbai Mirror). But the excitement quickly soured as the video — particularly Queen Bey's attire in it — found itself at the center of a raging debate about cultural appropriation.

Beyoncé, for the video, dons traditional Indian getup — complete with a purported saree, jewelry, and henna — assuming the role of Rani (Hindi for queen), a Bollywood star. This representation — along with sequences showing Holi or classical dancers — was slammed for exoticizing and stereotyping Indian culture (via The Guardian). While some Indians claimed that what Beyoncé wore hardly qualified as a saree, questions also abounded as to why she was cast as a fictitious Bollywood actor when the video actually had a real Bollywood actor, Sonam Kapoor, in a blink-and-you-miss-it sequence (via Firstpost).

But, amid the noise, there was also ample support for Beyoncé. Some believed her portrayal as an Indian woman streamlined the similarities between South Asian and Black cultures, as noted by Time, and that the representation could even be read as empowering. 

Beyoncé is inarguably among the most influential Black female voices worldwide, and the 28-time Grammy winner has never shied away from representing her heritage. Her halftime performance at the 2016 Super Bowl was, therefore, a power-packed tribute to two important moments in Black history: Michael Jackson and the Black Panthers. As reported by MTV, Beyoncé donned a custom DSquared2 jacket that closely resembled the black-and-gold design immortalized by the late pop star. While Beyoncé's outfit by itself wasn't startling, her spearheading of an act that reportedly eulogized the Panthers was a shocker to many. 

The Black Panthers, as per Britannica, were a radical revolutionary group formed in 1960s California in retaliation to racial brutalities against the African American community in the United States. The backup dancers flanking Beyoncé were dressed in all-black outfits capped with Panthers-style berets, even raising their fists in a Black power salute, per a picture shared by designer Zana Bayne. Talking to Mashable, Bayne said, "Early on in conversation, the iconic women of the Black Panther Party were mentioned as a reference, so we kept that idea of revolutionary women in mind when creating the harnesses." 

The Wrap reported that the politically-charged performance prompted calls for protest at the NFL building in New York against what some called a "race-baiting stunt." 

When Beyoncé takes to the stage, she commands it — that's just the rule! So, when someone with as understated a style quotient as Ed Sheeran shares the stage with her, they should be ready to be scrutinized down to the last shoelace. Beyoncé joined the "Perfect" singer at the Global Citizen Festival in South Africa in 2018 for a duet of his hit number, dressed in a striking pink ruffle gown by haute couture label Ashi Studio (per Harper's Bazaar). It made for a dramatic contrast, to say the least, with Sheeran flanking Beyoncé's fancy attire with his staple black tee-and-jeans combo.

This vivid mismatch kicked off a passionate debate on social media, with fans on either side of the fence defending their icons. A key argument that emerged was the apparent exposition of sexist double standards, with Beyoncé, a woman, having to put more effort into her wardrobe than Sheeran, a man, for public appeal, as pointed out by HelloGiggles. Angles of race and class privilege, too, seeped in. 

Justification for the distinction in the artists' outfits stated that their wardrobes were part of personal branding, which both were entitled to regardless of gender, as Today reported. While Beyoncé stayed mum, Sheeran gave a cheeky response to the controversy by posting a link to the t-shirt he wore, writing "#dresstoimpress" on his Instagram page (via People).

Beyoncé isn't shy when it comes to experiments on the dare-o-meter. A Givenchy gown she wore to the 2015 Met Gala is proof. A sheer dress that revealed more than it covered, the drape was encrusted with jewels studded in just the right places, and the look was completed with an up-top ponytail. Beyoncé sure was a star attraction of the night, not only for her barely-there outfit but also because of her barely-there red carpet arrival. 

As Us Weekly reported, Queen Bey was super fashionably late, attributing it to an alleged last-minute outfit change. Another report from the publication, however, quoted her hairstylist, Neal Farinah, saying it was specifically Beyoncé's hair that caused the delay, with the singer asking for her chignon to be changed into a high pony. "We did that in the elevator as she was on the way out," he said. 

Whatever the reason for the delay, there appeared to be a general consensus on the nakedness of Beyoncé's wardrobe that night, with Elle quipping that she managed to, in fact, "out naked everyone." Vanity Fair, meanwhile, also noted the criticism the dress drew for its lack of relevance to that year's theme of "China: Through the Looking Glass."

Beyoncé was somewhat of a regular at the White House during Barack Obama's tenure as the 44th U.S. president. Their friendship, as well as her status as an important artist, meant she got special access to some of the most exclusive events hosted on the official premises — including the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. In 2016, she joined the Obamas for a final Easter gala before their White House exit, arriving hand-in-hand with her daughter, Blue Ivy, then 4 years old.

As reported by Essence, Beyoncé opted for a Marco De Vincenzo bustier lace dress for the occasion. While everyone agreed that little Blue was the family standout — capturing the pulse of the event with her adorable bunny ears — Beyoncé's fashion that day generated mixed reactions. The Daily News claimed that her outfit — which particularly accentuated her bust — gave her the likeness of a Playboy Bunny. The article further highlighted netizen responses on social media, some of which said a see-through lace dress probably wasn't the best choice for a nearly 150-year-old event with children in attendance.

Nevertheless, Queen B marked her presence effectively by cheering on the day's musical performer duo Chloe x Halle, who, Refinery29 reports, are associated with her management company, Parkwood Entertainment. 

Beyoncé needn't have flaunted angel wings to convince us that she radiates divine energy — after all, she is known to her Beyhive fanbase as Queen B! But she went ahead and did it anyway. At the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, the "Single Ladies" singer arrived in a shimmery, sheer sage green gown that had her own set of feathered wings. Her daughter, Blue Ivy, was her date for the evening and looked every bit a mini chic angel in a $10,950 dress (per E! News). 

Bustle pointed out that Beyoncé's piece, including the extravagant collar, was a Francesco Scognamiglio design from the label's Fall 2016 line. It's not every day you see a celebrity decked in plumage. And, so, even if that celebrity happens to be Beyoncé, who nails most outfits, the torrent of memes was but expected! Glamour reported that netizens quickly got down to business, listing everything that the singer's ensemble made her look like — from the White Witch in "The Chronicles of Narnia" to Drew Barrymore's character, Josie Geller, in "Never Been Kissed." 

It came as a delightful shock to audiences when Beyoncé — and her baby bump — emerged to perform at the 2017 Grammys looking nothing less than a vision in gold. As per In Touch Weekly, the event marked Beyoncé's first time appearing in public since she announced her second pregnancy. So, naturally, the celebrations were extravagant! 

Designed by longtime collaborator Peter Dundas, the embellished custom gown Beyoncé wore, paired with a regal headdress to complete the ensemble, was heavy with symbolism. Dundas related to Vogue how elements from Beyoncé's life were weaved into the gown (which, by the way, was the work of about 50 people). Lyrics from the singer's successful number "Love Drought," which she also performed that night, were apparently part of the embroidery, as was a sweet tribute to her pregnancy. Dundas said two cherubs were detailed near Beyoncé's hips — a possible acknowledgment of the twins she was carrying — while a likeness of her own profile was embroidered right in the center. 

The gown also harked back to Beyoncé's Black heritage through sun ray designs meant to depict African deity Oshun. As per Britannica, Oshun is significant to Yoruba culture and holds status as a savior and goddess of fertility.