If you had told me two years ago that I would be looking to TikToker-turned-popstar Addison Rae for fashion inspiration, I would have laughed in your face – yet here we are. Some view Rae’s fashion transformation as a calculated rebrand, one carefully coinciding with the growth of her music career and the production of her debut album, Addison, while others see her changing style as a natural extension of her maturing personal identity. Regardless of which team you’re on, I think we can all agree that Rae’s style is something new and exciting. Her blend of couture, camp, and casual speaks to a cool-girl status which I, for one, find very compelling.

“She is among the few celebrities doing the 2000s and 2010s right”

Rae’s current style could not be a further cry from the crop tops, high-rise jeans, and chunky trainers which accompanied her rise to fame on TikTok in 2019. Although much of her transition to well-dressed pop princess is down to her personal sense of style, it would be amiss not to also credit the vision of her current stylist Dara Allen, a partnership which certainly seems to be paying off. Allen is known in the fashion world for her strong editorial eye, self-describing her aesthetic as “avant-garde next door”, always aiming to spark a reaction and make a statement.

It cannot be denied that many of Rae’s outfits achieve both of these aims, although whether the reaction in question is positive or negative very much depends on the circles you move in. To my mind, Addison’s style is above all else fun, and thus should never be taken too seriously. Drawing inspiration from cultural icons like Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Lana Del Rey and Marylin Monroe, it is no surprise that she has perfected the pop diva archetype while giving it her own unique spin. She is among the few celebrities doing the 2000s and 2010s right, unafraid of embracing the ugly-cute and kitschy alongside the high fashion. Her affinity for hot pink and neon purple, well exhibited in the music video for her single ‘Headphones On’, strongly recalls the 2010s, especially when combined with her love of stripes and polka-dots. A personal favourite of mine is the pink polka-dot catsuit with ruffled peplum hem she wore while performing alongside Charli XCX at Coachella. The way she dresses can be flippant and flirty, even verging on tongue-in-cheek at times (see the pink sequin Minnie Mouse ears in her GQ essentials video), but her skill comes in maintaining the delicate balance between ironic and sincere fashion choices.

“What makes Addison’s style truly unique is her ability to balance this unpolished look with moments of pared-back elegance”

Another element that Rae’s style embraces is imperfection, playing into both the indie-sleaze revival of recent years and the inherent chaos of fame and a touring lifestyle. Think blonde hair with dark roots poking through, smudged eyeshadow, and body glitter, topped off with a pair of well-worn and slightly muddy heels. However, what makes Addison’s style truly unique is her ability to balance this unpolished look with moments of pared-back elegance; she is frequently seen wearing minimal makeup for a fresh-faced, feminine look. The singer doesn’t shy away from classic silhouettes, instead injecting them with her signature edge to create outfits which are both graceful and a little cheeky (for example, the translucent flowing dress she wore during her surprise appearance at Coachella 2025, paired with hot pink panties).

“Rae’s fashion sense feels nostalgic without being derivative”

Like many popstars and celebrities of today, a large proportion of Addison’s outfits are unapologetically sexy. In her own words on the track ’Times Like These’, “I feel best when I’m wearin’ less”. Lingerie is non-negotiable, whether it is being worn underneath an everyday getup, peeking through a sheer dress, or being shown off on stage. Her sense of playfulness permeates even her underwear choices, with fun-coloured panties peeking out from underneath micro-skirts, or lacey bras worn as tops in their own right. Her recent collaboration with Lucky Brand also leans into her sexier side, offering two pairs of ultra low-rise skimpy denim shorts; the micro-short is a silhouette she loves to incorporate into both her music videos and street style. Her passion for low-rise also speaks to her commitment to the aesthetics of the noughties, particularly when worn with a newsboy hat and a pair of stiletto pumps.

To me, Rae’s fashion sense feels nostalgic without being derivative, dabbling in decades like the 80s and 2010s alongside her more obvious 2000s influences. She isn’t scared to have fun and make friends with bold colours (naturally, I am typing this article with freshly painted bubblegum-pink nails) or patterns. Opinions on her music aside, let Addison Rae be a reminder to us all not to take ourselves (or our outfits) too seriously.