Kelly Clarkson's Had Her Fair Share Of Fashion Fails

Kelly Clarkson is better known for her powerful soprano voice than setting fashion trends. And that's not necessarily her fault. Over the years, the singer has worked with different stylists who have struggled to nail the right style for her. "My queen Kelly has never been blessed in the fashion department but her voice and personality allow me to let it slide," observed one Reddit commenter. As a petite, curvy woman, Clarkson has rarely been dressed by people who understand her silhouette. Too often, her clothes seems to be working against her lines.

Clarkson started working with a new stylist, Micaela Erlanger, in 2023, and all we can say is thank goodness, because this is one star whose clothes haven't been doing her any favors. Over the years, she's flirty with bohemian, bombshell, and edgy fashion. But, after settling her divorce from her now-late ex-husband Brandon Blackstock and relocating to New York, Clarkson was ready for a more elegant spin on her clothes. The aim, according to Clarkson's stylist in an interview with WWD, was "a little bit more sophisticated, chic, with that New York City sensibility and more tailoring."

The custom Christian Siriano gown that Kelly Clarkson wore for the 2017 American Music Awards was an oddly Gothic turn for the pop songstress. The fabric is bunched and stretched in a way that suggests the fit is bad. Plus, the vertical lines of the dress work against Clarkson's shape, disrupting rather than emphasizing her natural curves. Finally, the deep black and yellow gold are harsh colors on the singer's soft coloring; particularly when paired with ox blood-colored lipstick, this palette overwhelms her features.

Kelly Clarkson wore a menswear inspired look for the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors, layering a velvet Alexandre Vauthier gown over a tuxedo shirt. But this look seems stuffy and uncomfortable on the singer, as if fitted too tight. Clarkson's style essence runs toward a more natural, feminine feel — that's part of why Clarkson is a bare faced beauty going makeup free — which is why this more structured, masc design seems to be overwhelm her. Although the sexy leg slit, revealing a glittering glimpse of Balmain sandal, is right on brand for her sultry style since Clarkson has worn some spicy outfits over the years, this ensemble is working against her curves and laidback beauty.

The Tibi dress that Kelly Clarkson wore for the 2017 Variety Power of Women event did no favors for the star. Though the gown is elegant, its columnar shape was an odd choice. It appears constricting on the natural width of Clarkson's shoulders so that she looks uncomfortable and claustrophobic.  At just 5'3", Clarkson doesn't have a long vertical line — even in heels; the stripes across the dress disrupt what verticality she does have, rather than emphasizing it. Finally, the band across the waistline adds width across Clarkson's middle, obscuring her incredible curves. She looks great in a body skimming dress but would have been better served by an all-black style that lets her silhouette shine.

The gown that Kelly Clarkson wore the 2017 Golden Globe Awards was equal parts princess and superhero. From the black and gold color blocking to the massive skirt, the gown is more costume than awards show — is that a sleeve or a golden bionic arm? We could forgive that if this custom Cristian Siriano creation was a bit more flattering on Clarkson, whose gorgeous features are overwhelmed by the harshness of the deep black. The princess waist sits too high on her hips, disrupting her natural silhouette and making her look shorter than she is.

At the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards, Kelly Clarkson donned this teal lace monstrosity to make her debut as a country artist. While the blue-green shade pop beautifully against Clarkson's spring coloring and bright blonde hair, it's hard to overlook chintzy look of the lace or the mumsy feel of the sheer half sleeves. The fabric is pulled and bunching, evidence — again — that Clarkson desperately needs a better tailor. The pencil skirt is giving business casual, but Clarkson looks far more elegant in flowing designs that complement her natural essence.

Forget mixing patterns, Kelly Clarkson mixed animal prints at the 2022 American Song Contest. But it's not just the clashing zebra stripes and jaguar spots that make this a fashion fail. Yes, it's Roberto Cavalli, but the shape is awkward on Clarkson, with poorly fitted shoulders that bunch and bulk when she moves. The skirt falls mid-thigh, landing somewhere between knee-length and mini skirt, for a cut that emphasizes Clarkson's short height and disrupts her vertical line. The super opaque tights and outdated ankle boots undercut whatever sex appeal this short skirt shoulder have offered, a shame since we love Clarkson's outfits that put her killer legs on display.

There's way too much going on with this black and white look that Kelly Clarkson wore for the 2018 US Open. The intricate gold buckles on her Versace heels compete with the graphic print of her Balmain knit dress. With so much happening, the eye isn't sure where to land. The bold design is an odd choice for Clarkson, whose soft features lend themselves well to more bohemian shapes and designs. Finally, it's an all around strange choice for the US Open, which typically draws more classic and traditional fashion.

Kelly Clarkson stepped out at the 2006 Grammy Awards in a black textured gown from Max Azria Atelier. The stiff dress, which was a little overdone for an appearance at the music awards show where artists tend to go creative more than formal, was a bulky choice that dwarfs the petite singer. While the drop waist is elegant, it's overwhelmed by the statement skirt. Again, the black color looks harsh against Clarkson's pale skin tone, especially with her blonde hair color. While the fit appears to be correct, the gown shape does little to flatter Clarkson, whose gorgeous figure gets obscured by the volume of the skirt.