What's the 411: How Mary J. Blige Influenced Hip-Hop And R&B Fashion

By Alexis Oatman · Updated July 2, 2021

For over three decades, Mary J. Blige, the de facto Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, has always been a trendsetter. The word style icon gets thrown around a lot, but for the multi-platinum, Grammy-award-winning artist, whose soulful vocals helped redefine the genre with a hip-hop edge, it’s even more fitting.

From music to film, the R&B-singer-slash-actress has carved out a legendary career for herself that has spanned generations. Even early on, with her signature streetwear style, Blige was always setting trends. As she evolved, so did her fashion. With her blonde locks, monochromatic outfits, knee-high boots, and trademark shades, Blige left a significant imprint on the 90s and early 00s. The multi-platinum artist is undoubtedly one of the luminaries responsible for bridging the gap between hip-hop and mainstream music and fashion.

The Bronx native has since evolved from her tomboy days to the high glamour of The Breakthrough. The “Not Gon’ Cry” singer worked with legendary stylist Misa Hylton early on in her career and more recently with Law Roach, celebrity stylist, and judge on HBO’s Legendary.

Here are a few of Blige’s unforgettable looks throughout the years.

01

Tomboy Cool

Blige, with her signature tomboy style performing on stage wearing plaid Bermuda shorts and a men’s button-up.

02

Sleek & Sexy

Blige circa 1990s donning a shiny, black bodysuit, her signature dark sunglasses, and hoop earrings.

03

White-Out

Blige is attending the 1995 American Music Awards in an all-white pantsuit, white painter’s hat, and silver tennis shoes.

04

Designer Mami

Blige performs on stage at Madison Square Garden, circa 1995, wearing Fendi pants and a striped fur coat.

05

Black On Black

Blige hit the red carpet for the 1999 Billboard Music Awards with a two-piece leather suit with a fur bomber jacket.

06

Sexy & Distressed

Blige is attending the 1st Annual BET Awards in 2001, donning a distressed denim dress and white go-go boots.

07

The Lady In White

Never losing her sparkle, Blige shined at the 2007 Grammy Awards in a white belted gown that showed off her shoulders.

08

Boot Game Undefeated

Blige literally invented all-white outerwear. Blige takes the stage performing at the “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at The Lincoln Memorial” on Jan. 18, 2009. Blige completed the look with a pea coat, white gloves, and knee-high pale python boots.

09

Runway Girl

In probably one of her best looks, Blige struts down the runway with an all-black, sleek Malandrino gown with the Parisian designer Catherine Malandrino during her 2010 show at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

10

Movie Star Style

Blige is all smiles attending the 2017 premiere of Mudbound at The Odeon Leicester Square, London.