Kim Kardashian's impressive style evolution

Kim Kardashian is a true fashion icon and we can’t get enough.

From diving into the archives to walking Hollywood beauty Marilyn Monroe at the Met to a pretty pink look at the Kering Foundation Gala – thanks to her beloved Balenciaga – the reality star has come a long way since her first party appearance. (When she was best known as Paris Hilton’s best friend.)

In fact, her recent fashionable lateness to Victoria Beckham’s SS24 presentation in Paris spoke volumes. The British label delayed the show until Kim had taken her rightful place in the front row, signaling the significance of her presence at major fashion events.

How is Kim Kardashian doing?‘Has your style changed over the years?

Kim Kardashian in a pink sparkly dress — Kim in Balenciaga at the second annual Kering’s Caring For Women dinner

How times have changed… Kim’s work life is taking off: law student, best-selling author, model and entrepreneur are just some of the job titles she can list on her resume.

Kim Kardashian wears a pink cropped jacket and quilted box bag from Chanel. — The entrepreneur wore a pink cropped jacket and a quilted Chanel bag.

And the 43-year-old’s style archive is just as diverse: swapping Juicy Couture tracksuits for Balenciaga’s Pantaleggings, she has emerged as a global tastemaker.

What was Kim Kardashian like?‘What’s your pre-Kanye West style?

Kim Kardashian in jeans and boots on the red carpet — Before she became super famous, Kim’s red carpet looks were more subdued.

It’s fair to say that Kim’s third husband, music mogul Kanye West, has had a significant influence on her fashion choices. The Yeezy designer dressed Kim well during their time together, swapping out her bandage dresses and chunky belts for pieces that felt more experimental and elevated, thanks to his industry connections.

Kim wears a thick belt to highlight her hourglass figure. — Kim once loved to wear a thick belt to highlight her hourglass silhouette.

Before she met Kanye in 2012, Kim’s appearance was indicative of her It-girl status. She wore what was popular at the time: high heels, body-hugging silhouettes, belts that cinched the waist, and even jeans with knee-high boots for formal events.

Kanye helped hone Kim’s style, introducing her to his designer friends and persuading her to trade out more fussy patterns and opulent embellishments for bold silhouettes.

Kim wore Marilyn Monroe's — Kim wore Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday” dress to the 2022 Met Gala.

Years later, as their marriage fell apart, Kim found herself having to rethink her wardrobe on her own terms, finding it hard to trust her own judgment at times.

“I definitely see things that I like, but I’ve never been a visionary,” she said in the episode Kardashian. “Kanye would come and say, ‘You should have your hair like this.’ You should do makeup like this.” This is his love language, this is clothing. I always just trusted him.”

How did Kim Kardashian influence fashion?

In anticipation of Barbicore's popularity, Kim wore hot pink to the 2021 Saturday Night Live party. — In anticipation of Barbicore’s popularity, Kim wore hot pink to the 2021 Saturday Night Live party.

Kim has made a major impact on the fashion world in recent years thanks to the covers of various influential magazines. Vogue, Allure, Sports Illustrated, ELLE, Glamor and the like – and become a regular in the front row.

Her bold red carpet look has divided opinion – from the flurry of ethical debate sparked by her moment with Marilyn to her face-obscuring balaclava – but there’s no denying that Kim is a big influence.

Since she founded the wildly successful shapewear brand Skims in 2019, it’s become clear that her vision isn’t limited to revolutionizing her own wardrobe. Pieces like the Scult Brief seamless bodysuit and the Soft Lounge long slip dress went viral and caught the attention of online fashionistas.