19 Totally Insane Rihanna Outfits From The 2000s You Forgot About — PHOTOS
It's been over 10 years since she first popped up on our radar and she's still thrilling us with her music and fashion. Rihanna just dropped her new album ANTI after many stops and starts. It inspired me to listen to her early classics like "Umbrella" and "Take a Bow" and to dig up '00s-era Rihanna outfits I totally forgot about. In this decade, Rihanna sets and defines trends every time she gets dressed, is snapped by the paparazzi doing normal things like going out for dinner, or posts an Instagram. She's been sharing snaps on IG a lot less frequently, BTW. That said, a decade ago, she was still cultivating her personal style and it involved a lot of crop tops.
In fact, her abdomen-baring shirts were plentiful enough to rival Britney Spears' closet.
Rih's look at the time was quite similar to established pop stars like the aforementioned Spears and Christina Aguilera. She would eventually experiment and evolve towards iconic, fashion forward looks.
But back then in the '00s? She was a safe, similar to the peers she aspired to be like, and maybe even a little boring. Yes, some of her outfits would hint to the edgy fashion diva she would become. But for the most part, she was in full development mode for much of the '00s before hitting her stride in '08 and '09.
Let's revisit.
1. Rihkini
This gold lame bikini top doubled as her shirt for this outfit. Back in '05, she loved baring her tummy. She was all about that bling.
2. Black & White
Rihanna has always loved her a mini dress and still does. But back in 2005, she rocked this girlish black and white number.
3. Vested
A vest and cuffed capris? That was so insanely mid-'00s.
4. Military Girl
Her military green shirt dress was way quiet by current Rihanna standards.
5. Downtown Brown
Would Rihanna ever wear boring brown in 2016? Probably not.
6. Street Style
Her street style game is one of the strongest there is. She hinted at it back in the mid-'00s. She really did love showing off her abdomen. A lot.
7. Britney Chic
Her trumpet skirt and crisp white top looked like her take on Spears' signature schoolgirl uni. Good girl gone bad, indeed.
8. More Jeans & Crop Tops
She was all about this pairing and matching shoes!
9. Fur Baby
This fur-trimmed coat was an early indication of her eye for high style.
10. Marilyn Monroe-Inspo
This frock, which looked a lot like Marilyn Monroe's infamous subway dress, was a harbinger of the sexpot look Rihanna would eventually patent. I totally forgot about this but I still love it.
11. Romping
Her belted performance romper was really cute and nautical.
12. Check It
This checked jumper with suspenders was certainly... different. She probably burned this or gave it away because it was so unlike her.
13. Mermaid
Rih rocked a tiered mermaid gown. This would be way too safe for the Rih of today. But it was classic and pretty.
14. Dominatricks
This was an early dominatrix look for the singer. She has done way sexier (and not so obvious) styles since.
15. Not-So-Mellow Yellow
This 2007 ensemble was more like the Rihanna we know now. She mixed a print with bright yellow slacks. It was unusual.
16. More Yellow Love
This yellow dress, worn in 2008, was quite the Southern Belle look, wasn't it?
17. Statement Shoulders
Check out those squared off, statement shoulders! This was 2009, but it could have been 1989. Still, by this point, Rihanna the trend influencer was starting to rise to the surface. Those shoes, though.
18. Suited
This sliced and diced white pantsuit also had statement shoulder... pads. Actually, those looked like football pads. It was certainly unique.
19. Asymmetry
Yep, by 2009, Rihanna was going for it with her fashions. This laser-cut, black and white dress was as far away from the crop top and jeans she favored earlier in the decade.
That concludes our tour of some of Rihanna's ensembles from the '00s that you totally forgot about. It was time to dust 'em off and reminisce.
