Image courtesy of Cosmopolitan.

When thinking of Adele, all of us will instantly think about her powerful voice and the emotive lyrics that have soundtracked so much of our lives. However, though Adele's impact is foremost rooted in her music, her influence doesn't stop there. Over the past few years, she has established herself as a style icon in her own right, with these fashion choices reflecting her evolution both as an artist and as a person. From the soulful singer who wooed us with "Rolling in the Deep" to the glamorous superstar of today—Adele's outfits have been an exciting journey of style, self-expression, and empowerment.

The Early Years: Understated Elegance

Adele’s famous debut album, 19.  Image courtesy of Albumism. 

After bursting onto the scene with her 2008 debut album, 19, sporting a powerful voice and a style as understated as it was elegant, classic, simple silhouettes dominated Adele's earlier years. Black was key to her wardrobe– a little black dress which accentuated her figure while retaining mystery and sophistication.

Those first few red carpet appearances spoke of a penchant for the timeless—think vintage-inspired dresses with modest necklines and knee-length hemlines. What seemed apparent in her fashion choices back then was an attempt less at making bold style statements and more toward establishing her as an artist confident in her skin. Her style is relatable and speaks of that authenticity that made her fans relate to her.

The Transition: Confidence and Glamour

Adele looked gorgeous at the 2012 Grammy Awards! Image courtesy of Business Insider. 

As Adele's career continued to reach new heights, so did her confidence, which was now starting to reflect in her outfits. By the release of her sophomore album, 21, in 2011, her style was beginning to transform. She still loved classic black ensembles, but a subtle shift toward more glamorous and figure-hugging designs could be seen.

She began to favor sumptuous fabrics like lace and velvet and often favored dresses with a large amount of detailing. A defining moment was her 2012 Grammy Awards appearance in a black Giorgio Armani gown. With its sparkling sequins and cinched waist, the dress seemed tailored for her hour-glass figure, really marking a turn in her style. It was clear, at this point in her career, that Adele was no longer just the girl with the voice; she had turned into a fashion force unto herself!

The media also began to take note of Adele's changing style. She was being described in headlines as embracing her curves and coming out in far more daring attire. While the glamor had increased with her, Adele's sense of style never strayed too far from her roots. Her taste for the classics remained, but they were now infused with a touch of old-school Hollywood glamor that did come with being an international superstar.

Reinvention: The New Era of Adele

Adele’s outfit at the 2016 Brit Awards was captivating! Image courtesy of Huffpost. 

By the time the world saw the release of her third album, 25, in 2015, Adele was once again at a very different phase in life and in her career. Change had made itself so obvious musically, but also in spheres of her personal life and with her look. Adele's style underwent a serious makeover from being subtly elegant, as it characteristically used to be in earlier times, to a bolder, more confident one.

One of the most sensationalized areas of the transformation was weight loss for Adele. It had been something that she wanted to embrace for a healthier way of life, so it altered her fashion choices since she started embracing more fitted and bold designs. Turning heads at the 2016 Brit Awards in a red flowing Giambattista Valli gown, the look shared her new figure while staying true to her classic, feminine look.

The reinvention was not only about the physical change in Adele's body but also how much more daring she could be with wardrobe choices. She started donning more color, moving away from the black signature look to emerald green and deep burgundy. These were bold color choices that found pairing in equally daring cuts: off-the-shoulder designs, thigh-high slits were all a newfound confidence in style.

The Vogue Era: High Fashion and Couture.

Adele looks like a goddess as the face of Vogue. Image courtesy of British Vogue. Image courtesy of Vogue. 

Adele reached new heights as a style icon when she became the face of both British and  American Vogue. This truly was to be the defining moment for her in terms of style, where she wasn't being celebrated just as a music superstar, but most of all as a muse for high fashion. For her Vogue covers, Adele wore a string of stunning couture gowns that really showed her transformation into a true style icon.

She appeared in these shoots in pieces by the greatest fashion houses: Valentino, Dior, and Vivienne Westwood. Each outfit was a work of art that not only underscored the fact she can wear high fashion grace and poise, but also pointed to the complexity of Adele's style. From dramatic green tulle gowns by Valentino to sultry black corset dresses by Vivienne Westwood, Adele showed she could move effortlessly from classic elegance to cutting-edge couture.

The Vogue era also became a defining moment for Adele in the public sphere. She was nothing like that coy, reserved singer seen in earlier days, but emerged as a very confident, glamorous lady who is comfortable in her skin and makes no apologies for her fashion choices. Indeed, this transformation elicited applause from all corners of the globe, really cementing Adele's position as one of the most timeless fashion icons.

Red Carpet Royalty: Adele's Signature Style

Here, Adele stuns at the 2017 Grammy Awards! Image courtesy of Teen Vogue. 

With the success that Adele was having with her music came growth in her red carpet presence. Days of fidgeting and waiting on red carpet appearances have finally arrived for her, where millions of fans and style pundits can hardly wait to see what she will wear. The red-carpet style of Adele can be coined as the epitome of timeless elegance combined with modern glamor and drama to make her stand out amidst the crowd.

One of the most memorable moments on the red carpet belonged to Adele when she went in an olive green Givenchy gown during the 2017 Grammy Awards. The dress was beaded, had a flowy skirt, so it clung to her figure, revealing her style as being one of the best-dressed stars that evening. That look proved that timeless elegance and modern fashion in total balance can work when, Adele pulls it off.

Personal Style: Chic, Cozy, and Effortlessly Cool

Adele is as comfy as she is chic! Image courtesy of Cosmopolitan. 

While Adele exudes sophistication with her red carpet ensembles, her personal style is relaxed. Off-stage and away from all lights, the wardrobe of Adele only talks about comfort and modest chic. Oversized sweaters, cozy coats, and classic denim top her list of favorite outfit components for everyday life—and what makes such an effortlessly cool look.

We have seen her in everything from sleek trench coats to casual loungewear, all while keeping an air of cool about her. Her personal style speaks to a down-to-earth character; it's something that intertwines high fashion with everyday wear and makes it sound accessible and relevant. Whether out running errands or making an appearance at some low-key event, Adele's personal style always comes across on point—proving you don't have to sacrifice comfort for style.

Empowerment Through Fashion

Her outfits never miss! Image courtesy of Eliza. 

Within Adele's career, fashion has been a strong tool for expression and empowerment. Adele used fashion to express herself, from low-key elegance in her early days to high fashion nowadays. The evolution of her style parallels her personal growth and tells of her journey toward self-acceptance, confidence, and empowerment.

It has further participated in making a huge impact on the revolution of body positivity. Adele herself has been hailed as a champion who engages in breaking beauty stereotypes through embracing her curves and inspiring millions of women across the world. Whether in a fitted evening gown or an oversized sweater, what Adele radiates, essentially, is self-assuredness, which proves that style actually emanates from within.

Furthermore, it is her willingness to experiment with fashion and step out of her comfort zone that has inspired so many. She taught everyone that it is okay to evolve, change, and move on concerning personal style and other life choices. The fashion journey of Adele depicts the essence of embracing change and finding strength within self-expression.

Adele, the Style Icon

Adele looks stunning! Image courtesy of LA Times. 

The making of Adele into a style icon is just so much fun; it speaks to her artistic and personal growth. From the early age of understated elegance to being the muse of high fashion, she has continued using fashion to tell her story and express identity. She captures that very idea, blending classic elegance, modern glamor, and personal empowerment—what makes her one of the most iconic figures in music and fashion today.

As Adele continues to evolve, there is no doubt her fashion journey is going to impress and excite us. Right from the covers of Vogue to the red carpet, what screams out loud with Adele's style is this: the fact that fashion is really all about confidence and being yourself—it's not about the clothes. And that turns Adele into not just a style icon but an inspiration to all!

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