Every Super Bowl Headliner's Outfit Since The First - COLA98

Being the headliner of the Super Bowl is an immensely significant achievement, but this grand show hasn’t always been so monumental. In the past, halftime celebrations featured marching bands from high schools and colleges. However, starting in the 1970s, this began to change. Musical acts started to entertain the masses during the biggest game of the year, and their style garnered as much attention as their performances. Let’s take a retrospective look at Super Bowl style over the decades and how it has evolved.

1.
At the halftime show of Super Bowl IV in Tulane Stadium in New Orleans in January 1970, the New Christy Minstrels appeared on stage wearing folksy ’70s attire.

2.
In 1972, Carol Channing donned a luxurious, full-length, fur-trimmed white coat as the main celebrity performer at the halftime show, a look that could still steal the show on any stage today.

3.
Andy Williams wore an all-cream outfit with a statement belt during his halftime show performance in 1973.

4.
There was a brief return to marching bands before 1977 when the Mouseketeers performed in a Disney-themed halftime show.

5.
In 1980, Up with People began producing halftime shows that combined music and dance with vibrant costumes and a range of performers. They also performed in 1982 and 1986. The 1982 show featured go-go styles with a mix of bubblegum pink and olive green, while the 1986 performance showcased shiny white leotards, silver vests, matching bow ties, and white gloves for the dancers.

6.
In 1989, Elvis impersonator Elvis Presto took to the stage at the Miami Super Bowl wearing a bedazzled gold leather outfit while the dancers sported ’50s costumes for the performance.

7.
In 1991, the halftime show returned to big-name performers and a Disney theme. Characters from the Mouse House joined New Kids on the Block as they performed Disney hits and their own songs.

8.
Michael Jackson took halftime performances to the next level in 1993 with a spectacular performance of his biggest hits in his trademark larger-than-life style.

9.
The 1994 halftime show was a tribute to country music, featuring Clint Black in an all-black outfit with a black guitar. Tanya Tucker followed, donning black studded accents. Travis Tritt appeared in a denim blue leather fringed jacket with matching pants. The Judds closed out the show in contrasting attire.

10.
The Super Bowl halftime show had never before featured wardrobe changes until the ultimate diva, Diana Ross, took the stage. She changed into a stunning orange gown with fuchsia tulle layers and added a big gold coat that enveloped the entire dress as she closed out the show.

11.
ZZ Top opened the 1997 halftime show wearing mostly black with velvety blazers, and were joined by James Brown in a bedazzled red cross suit and matching shirt. Later, they were joined by the Blues Brothers, who were dressed in their classic suits and fedoras.

12.
The 1998 halftime show was a tribute to Motown’s 40th anniversary, featuring Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, the Temptations, and Queen Latifah.

13.
The 1999 halftime show was a celebration of the life and legacy of the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson, who performed a medley of his hits in a high-energy performance.

14.
Toni Braxton opted for a simple white floor-length dress with bedazzled spaghetti straps at the 2000 halftime show, while Phil Collins appeared in his trademark ’90s style with a backward cap and a sweater with cargo pants.

15.
The 2001 halftime show brought together pop and rock stars with a variety of eye-catching fashion choices. Steven Tyler and Britney Spears both opted for matching tees, but Britney’s was a bit racier with a crop top and super low-rise silver pants. Mary J. Blige and Nelly also made appearances.

16.
In 2002, U2 delivered a powerful performance that was imbued with sadness, coming just a few months after the tragic events of 9/11.

17.
The halftime show of 2003 brought together an unlikely trio of Shania Twain, Sting, and No Doubt, resulting in a performance that was a mix of country and rock ‘n’ roll. Gwen Stefani added a pin-up flair to her look, donning a blingy bra and pairing it with a studded belt, while Sting went for a red and yellow tee.

18.
Jessica Simpson took on the appearance of a drum majorette, sporting a sequined bustier and white shorts to kick off the show. Do you find it strange that you don’t remember this performance? The 2004 show featured a diverse lineup of performers, each making their own style statements. Kid Rock opted for a similar look to Simpson, but added a fedora and draped himself in an American flag.

19.
Paul McCartney paired a cross with a long-sleeved shirt for his 2005 performance.

20.
The Rolling Stones stuck to a black and gray color scheme for their 2006 performance.

21.
In 2007, Prince showcased his unique style by wearing a turquoise jacket and a tangerine shirt, while wielding his signature red guitar.

22.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers took the stage in 2008, with Petty donning a cross necklace and a polka-dot shirt.

23.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rocked the halftime show in 2009, with the Boss sticking to his trademark all-black attire.

24.
The Who performed in 2010, with Pete Townshend dressed in all black and Roger Daltrey sporting a striped jacket.

24.
The Black-Eyed Peas went for a futuristic look in 2011, wearing black leather outfits embellished with studs, jewels, and LED lights. Usher and Slash also made appearances, with Usher sporting an all-white streetwear look and Slash donning his classic all-black ensemble with a studded hat.

26.
Madonna channeled the energy of a goddess or empress in 2012, entering the stage in all gold on a golden throne with a headdress to match. She then changed into a black and gold outfit for her dance number, accompanied by LMFAO in bedazzled and printed outfits. Nicki Minaj also made an appearance during the cheerleader section of the show, dressed in a red and black mini-dress and fishnets. However, M.I.A. caused controversy and potentially breached her contract with the NFL by flipping off the camera during a performance of “Give Me All Your Luvin’.”

27.
The 2013 halftime show was dubbed the Beyoncé Bowl, featuring a Destiny’s Child reunion in which the three women donned coordinated black leather bodysuits and knee-high boots.

28.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers predictably performed shirtless in 2014, while Bruno Mars went deep into his doo-wop roots, sporting a steel cross jacket and a skinny black tie.

29.
Katy Perry had a blast with multiple costume changes during her 2015 halftime performance. She made a grand entrance on an animatronic golden lion wearing a fiery orange and silver outfit. Lenny Kravitz joined her on stage, going shirtless under his leather jacket and layers of jewelry, paired with jeans. Perry then channeled a ’50s pin-up style with mini dresses and bikinis during her “California Gurls” segment, before donning a studded oversized hoodie to perform with Missy Elliott, who wore a patch-laden jumpsuit. The night ended with Perry in a shimmery silver dress adorned with stars.

30.
Coldplay opened the 2016 halftime show in a boho-meets-sporty ensemble, while Bruno Mars threw it back to the ’80s in black leather sweatsuits. Beyoncé made a statement with a Black Panther-inspired bodysuit that paid tribute to Michael Jackson’s iconic 1993 look.

31.

Lady Gaga made a striking entrance at her performance, wearing a Swarovski-embellished bodysuit and boots from Atelier Versace. She later changed into a bedazzled ensemble featuring football pads, bedazzled bottoms, and fishnets to close out her set.

32.

During his 2018 performance, Justin Timberlake embodied the outdoorsy theme of his then-new album by sporting a camo-printed cross, a red bandana, and a deer-printed graphic button-down.

33.

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 started his performance wearing a pea coat, but shed layers throughout the set including the coat, a zip-up sweatshirt, and a printed tank before finishing shirtless. Travis Scott joined him on stage wearing a leather vest, leather pants, a cap, and gloves, while Massive Boi made a later appearance in a fur coat and a red ATL cap.

34.

In their 2020 performance, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez both had multiple outfit changes. Jennifer Lopez made a stunning entrance in a studded leather bodysuit paired with matching chaps. She later changed into a silver barely-there bodysuit and danced with backup dancers wearing white pants and chest harnesses.

For the finale, both ladies donned complementary metallic outfits. Jennifer Lopez continued with a silver theme, while Shakira opted for a more bronze-toned look.

35.

During his 2021 performance, The Weeknd took the stage in a black and red Givenchy cross, which he paired with a glittery jacket featuring a cross design. He completed the look with leather wrist gloves.

36.

Final but not least, the 2022 lineup of performers included Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, followed by 50 Cent who paid tribute to his iconic white tank top and sweatband look from his debut music video 20 years prior.

Mary J. Blige graced the stage in a stunning white and silver mirrored two-piece outfit with cutouts, paired with knee-length boots. Kendrick Lamar wore a black cross and a cross armband, while Eminem rocked a vintage black hoodie and gray t-shirt.

Which performer’s style did you prefer? Whose fashion choices do you think missed the mark? Share your thoughts in the comments.