2024 has been great for Sabrina Carpenter. Just this month, her hit “Espresso,” which was released in April, reached No. 1 as the global song of the summer. Her other hit, “Please Please Please,” spent six weeks in the top 3, finishing at No. 4., making her the only artist with two songs in the season-ending top 10. To cap it all off, Carpenter released her sixth studio album, Short ‘n Sweet to much anticipation in August.

It’s not hard to understand her meteoric rise in popularity this past year. Carpenter’s clever and often tongue-in-cheek lyrics, paired with the infectiousness of her music, have helped establish her as one of the up-and-coming ‘pop girls’. However, her musical prowess aside, we’d be remiss not to mention the role of Carpenter’s style in her success.

First known for her role as Maya on Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World, Carpenter’s style has evolved significantly in the years since. Her unique style became a trending social media topic during her emails i can’t send tour from 2022-2023.

Her overall brand can be described as ultra-feminine, flirty and fun, which is displayed in her choice of tour and red-carpet looks. Often referred to on social media as a “life-sized Polly Pocket”, Carpenter, with the help of her stylists Jason Bolden and Jared Ellner, has cultivated a never-ending catalog of well-crafted fashion moments.

Performance Looks

As Carpenter toured the festival circuit and while she opened for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, hearts, mini dresses, and chunky-heeled boots became synonymous with her visual brand. For example, the heart cutout corset dress is a hallmark of her stage looks. First seen at her performance at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles in 2023, she’s worn the dress in many variations, including butter yellow, pink, and light blue.

In 2024, while promoting her latest album, Carpenter began incorporating elements from two different decades, the 1970s and 2000s, into her style. Everything she’s worn on stage this year captures the essence and sound of Short ‘n Sweet. Songs from the album like “Espresso” and “Don’t Smile” both incorporate sounds from the 1970s and 2000s, respectively. Her utilization of retro patterns and colors with her signature mini-dresses creates a perfect blend of nostalgia, trendiness, and timelessness. Given the album’s more fun and carefree vibe, her performance looks have given fans a taste (no pun intended) of what to expect from this era.

Red Carpet Looks

Often pulling from vintage pieces from designers like Bob Mackie and Roberto Cavalli, Carpenter knows how to create a viral moment and her red carpet looks are no exception. At this year’s VMAs, she wore the same gown that Madonna wore to the 1991 Oscars, which was inspired by Marilyn Monroe. Carpenter’s style is very glamorous and classic, incorporating her signature elements like rhinestones while also including edgier and more dramatic details like cutouts or bold silhouettes, reminiscent of old Hollywood.

Street Style

Carpenter’s street style can be described as relaxed and laid-back, mirroring her on-stage persona. Many of her off-stage and red carpet looks are trendy and easy to replicate. She has even inspired several fan accounts dedicated to finding out where she gets her outfits.

Carpenter’s recognizable on and off-stage presence is a testament to the success of her brand. Her style sets her apart from other artists, making her instantly identifiable. As Carpenter kicks off her Short ‘n Sweet tour, it will be exciting to see her new looks and how her style continues to evolve.