From Pure Heroine’s brood to the expansive Melodrama and now, Solar Power, Lorde’s style has come of age over the years.

Lorde has subtly tweaked and, sometimes, totally transmuted her look across albums and eras.

Pure Heroine represents Tumblr-era goth in collared shirts and platform boots. Melodrama’s “going-out” mood is shown through sequins and party dresses. And Solar Power is a festival of jubilance in every shade of yellow under the sun. This is Lorde’s style evolution.

Pure Heroin Era

Back in 2013 — and at the age of 16 —Lorde shot from relative obscurity to the top of international music charts with the single “Royals.” The single and its album, Pure Heroine, captures the hopefulness, angst, and boredom of suburban teenage life. Lorde’s Pure Heroine-era garb embodied both the album’s themes and its moody, minimalist sound.

In addition to topping the Billboard Hot 100 and charts around the globe, “Royals” was also a massive critical success. At the time of its release, the track was praised for its minimalist instrumentation and introspective vocals and landed on a myriad of 2013’s year-end lists.

At the 2014 Grammys, Lorde won the awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. She wore a black column gown: an elevated iteration of her goth stage uniform and a Pure Heroine-era red carpet staple.

Into 2015, Lorde’s red carpet style evolved from Avant-gothic to witchy chic, with the singer opting for sleeker, more streamlined red carpet attire. This shift was likely inspired by Lorde’s newfound fashion plate status. Throughout the year, Lorde walked the red carpet and sat front-row at industry events like the CFDA Awards and Dior’s AW15 show.

At the 2016 Met Gala, Lorde broke from the goth-leaning fare that had defined her style since her debut, opting for an ethereal look from Valentino. While this wasn’t the first time the singer wore a tulle-skirted number, it was the first time she sported pastels on the red carpet. The look marked a shift towards airier, more colourful ensembles for Lorde.

Melodrama Era

Through 2017, Lorde translated the sexy, effervescent energy of the going out dress into her Melodrama festival wardrobe.

Lorde’s 2017 Melodrama wardrobe was as multifaceted as the album itself. Sequins, mesh and minidresses spoke to soaring, danceable tracks like “Green Light” and “Homemade Dynamite”.

However, a series of more ethereal looks embodied the album’s more dramatic, introspective moments.

From shows in Montreal to Paris, Lorde also sported princess sleeves, lace ballgowns, Cecilie Bahnsen, Simone Rocha and peasant blouses, always paired with her sneakers.

Solar Power Era

Lorde took nearly three years out of the limelight to “hibernate” (her words). In June 2021, Lorde returned to the airwaves with the festival anthem “Solar Power” — and a new look, as sunny as the track’s namesake.

Lorde wears a series of airy sundresses and summer sets in tones of lemon-drop, marigold and butter. In the single’s music video, she floats and dances across a secret beach wearing a liquid yellow two-piece by designer Collina Strada.

Over eight years, from “Royals” to “Solar Power”, Lorde’s style has transitioned from gothic to sun-kissed.

The music video for her latest single “Mood Ring”, however, showcases the singer’s most transformative look to date. In the track, Lorde sings about sun salutations, healing crystals and meditating. She dances ritualistically while sporting a long, Goop-blonde wig and smoothie green silk set.

The new-look not only heralds an intriguing next chapter for the singer. It speaks to Lorde’s legacy as one of modern pop’s most multi-faceted auteurs.