6 Celebrities Who Had Stunning Post-Breakup Style Transformations
It's no secret that a breakup affects all facets of one's life, and in hopes of moving on, we often decide to change as much about ourselves as we can — whether that means changing our hair or exploring a different fashion style. "One of the ways that can help people move on is to focus their time on themselves, in particular with how they identify their sense of fashion and style," wellbeing coach Kamran Bedi told Stylist. "Shopping for new clothes, shoes, and accessories can often help people mentally shift into their own head and heart space. This can involve creating a sense of confidence within themselves through new styles, and exploring new ways of dressing which can help heal an aching heart."
Even though the rich and famous have a lifestyle far different from the average person, they aren't immune to the post-breakup style shift. In fact, plenty of celebrities have had noticeable style changes after they split from a partner — regardless of whether it was a long marriage or a short fling. Now, while we by no means are implying that these ladies didn't have great style prior to or during their relationship, their styles have changed after, and if you ask us — they changed for the better!
After parting ways with Jamie Foxx, Katie Holmes' style flourished
After splitting from Hollywood star Jamie Foxx in 2019, actor Katie Holmes underwent a style transformation, one that was hard to ignore for any fashion lover out there. After having dated for six years, the two stars parted ways, and Holmes showed everyone just how fun exploring fashion as a single woman is.
In particular, it's the star's laid-back yet ultra-chic street style that has us all in awe. "When I'm going out to meet my friends, I like to look cool so that they think I'm cool. And that's usually the extent of my dress code," Holmes revealed to Who What Wear in 2022. "I really just enjoy fashion, and I enjoy clothing." While the star's style had always been casual yet sophisticated, after her split from Foxx, Holmes began exploring edgier pieces that she effortlessly incorporated into her look. Instead of trench coats, now she opted for oversized leather blazers; instead of skinny jeans, the star rocked wide-legged statement pants — and she often swapped out her go-to sneakers for chic loafers or boots. Her style is still very much Katie Holmes, just a tad more elevated and funky, and we're so here for it. Not to mention that Holmes' daughter, Suri Cruise, is also stepping into her mother's footsteps by becoming a style icon in her own right.
Kim Kardashian refound her style after splitting from Kanye West
This might be controversial, considering that reality star and business mogul Kim Kardashian's style during her relationship with rapper Kanye West was impeccable, but we think that she had a major style glow-up post-split. It was no secret that during their relationship — which lasted from 2012 to 2021 — West was in charge of Karadashin's closet, which the reality star never hid. "I always thought I had really good style — until I met my husband, and he told me that I had the worst style," she told W in 2018. "He was really nice about it and cleaned out my whole closet." Even though her style was versatile, there is no denying that there was plenty of Yeezy athleisure, futuristic outfits with ultra-high leather boots, and a ton of tiny sunglasses.
While Kardashian underwent a major style glow-up thanks to West, after their breakup, she managed to find her own look. In an episode of "The Kardashians," the reality star admitted that finding her style after having been guided by West for so long wasn't easy. "I'm trying to figure out, who am I in the fashion world? Who am I, by myself?" she candidly revealed (via Independent). Since their split, there have been noticeable changes in Kardashian's closet. The star still enjoys edgy silhouettes and statement-making pieces, but some of that flirty and fun fashion that she was known for prior to her relationship with West has come back. At the 2023 Swarovski/SKIMS celebration, she rocked a see-through bedazzled look that we can't see West approving, but Kardashian looked stunning nonetheless. Kim Kardashian's style is still futuristic and edgy, but somehow, it now seems more authentic to her — and that is certainly what any style glow-up should be all about.
Once her relationship with Justin Bieber ended, Selena Gomez took her relationship with fashion to the next level
Former Disney Channel star Selena Gomez's on-and-off-again relationship with musician Justin Bieber is by far one of the most significant pop culture love moments of the 2010s. The two ended things one last time in 2018, and right after, a change in Gomez's style became noticeable. The star went from rocking what was trendy to creating trends herself. She was one of the first to embrace the resurgence of '90s fashion, including the shag hairstyle. In fact, who could forget the iconic Canadian tux moment she served in 2019 — it has us instantly wanting to cut our hair into layers and go thrifting.
Gomez, for who classic pop star fashion used to mean glitter and metallic, turned towards edgier looks that showcased she was ready to find her own style. This also allowed her to have more fun, as she turned to retro fashion after the breakup, often finding inspiration in not only the '90s but also the '60s and '70s. When asked by Teen Vogue about her incredible style in 2020, she replied, "I have to say that I was pretty much freefalling!" And while Selena Gomez has never had bad style, it seems as if the breakup (and entering the second half of her 20s) helped her settle more into what she likes instead of what is expected of her. This shift in style came with a much more significant change as the star began nourishing self-acceptance and making sure she shared that message with her fans. In 2024, she wrote on social media, "I'm not perfect but I am proud to be who I am. Sometimes, I forget it's OK to be me" (via Yahoo! News).
After her breakup with Harry Styles, Taylor Swift embraced a new side of herself
Prior to the release of her 2014 hit album "1989" — which many believe was mostly inspired by her breakup with Harry Styles — Taylor Swift's style was the epitome of preppy and classy. The musician, who dated Styles between 2012 and 2013, was all about taking the safe road, at least when it came to fashion. However, with the release of her first pop album, Swift decided to embrace a whole new side of herself.
The star began showing more skin by serving us sultry and sexy looks, something we hadn't seen from her until that point. Swift was mostly known for lacy a-line dresses and clothes that lovers of preppy fashion would certainly approve of. Even though she dabbled in cutouts and short hemlines, it wasn't really until "1989" (and after her breakup with Styles) that Swift fully embraced see-through fashion — most notably at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which she performed at in both 2013 and 2014. While her 2013 outfits was already sexier than what we were used to — the show was recorded in November, months after their breakup — it was the looks that she rocked in 2014 that made it clear Swift was ready to show everyone just how comfortable she was in her own skin. After all, performing in lingerie was a huge statement. However, even though her style shifted, Swift still made it clear that being sexy had never been her priority. "Every artist has their set of priorities. Being looked at as sexy? Not really on my radar. But nice? I really hope that that is the impression," she told the Guardian in 2014.
Vanessa Hudgens' style became even edgier after she split from Austin Butler
Former Disney star Vanessa Hudgens dated actor Austin Butler from 2011 to 2019. While her style was impeccable during that period — who could forget her iconic Coachella era? — after their split, Hudgens decided to step up her fashion game even more. Instead of classic red carpet gowns, the star was now all about experimenting with funky cuts and unconventional fashion pieces. Even though she was always a fashionista, Hudgens' style now oozed with more mystery and edginess than ever. In 2016, we might have seen her in goth/boho outfits with lots of layers and accessories, but since 2019, Hudgens has embraced more of a dramatic approach to fashion. Now, she's all about combining multiple statement pieces for looks that not many could pull off. Bold red pieces, lingerie as clothes, and mixing patterns and textures have become the star's staples.
In fact, in 2022, Hudgens experienced a comeback thanks to her fashion choices as the host of the MTV Movie & TV Awards where she showcased her love for fun and colorful looks. For Extra, the star admitted that fashion has always played a major role in her life. "I've always loved fashion," she gushed. "I think that it's a wonderful outlet to express yourself and I've just been so fortunate to make such great connections with different designers."
Dua Lipa's breakup from Anwar Hadid catapulted her into a major pop fashionista
After her 2021 breakup with model Anwar Hadid, Dua Lipa's style became even bolder, showcasing that the pop star has only come out better and stronger. Lipa always had the ultimate pop-girl style, but in 2022 and 2023, it went from expected glitter mini-dresses to unexpected leather ensembles, like the one she rocked to the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in 2022. And just like that, the pop girly turned into a pop diva, one that will forever be known for her daring style just as much as her catchy hits.
"I love fashion and dressing up. It's always so much fun, and I believe fashion, as well as many other things, is an outlet for me to express myself," Lipa told Luxury London in 2022. "I love mixing and matching different things and trying to find a few statement pieces that work," she added. It certainly seemed as if Lipa became a bit more courageous with her fashion choices after the breakup, and today, she is definitely known as one of the biggest fashion trendsetters in the music industry.