All that glitters: 45 photos that trace Mariah Carey's style evolution

She's a diva on the red carpet as well as in the charts, it seems

Mariah Carey, in a black crop top and maxi skirt, attends the MTV Video Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York, US, on September 4, 1997. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a Dolce & Gabbana vest, at the 'Seven Years in Tibet' premiere in Los Angeles, California, on October 6, 1997. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a gold mini dress, at the Soul Train Awards in Los Angeles, California, on March 9, 1998. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a charcoal jersey, attends the 4th annual Blockbuster Awards in Hollywood, California, on October 3, 1998. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in L’Wren Scott, arrives at the 71st Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on March 21, 1999. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a khaki two-piece, attends the 5th annual Blockbuster Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. California, on May 25, 1999. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a classic LBD, attends a press conference in Bologna, Italy, on May 31, 1999 to promote a 'Pavarotti and Friends' concert. EPA

Mariah Carey, in leather capri pants, attends a record signing event at Virgin Megastore in New York City, US, on November 17, 1999. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a bandana top and double denim, arrives at Home House for a party on July 12, 2001 in London, England. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in jeans and lace-up boots, attends a photocall to promote her new album 'Charmbracelet' on November 26, 2002 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a black silk gown, arrives at the 4th NRJ Music Awards at the Palais des Festivals on January 18, 2003 in Cannes, France. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in jeans and a puffer jacket, leaves Claridge's Hotel on March 19, 2003 in London, England. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a pink floor-length gown, attends the MTV Asia Awards at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on February 14, 2004 in Singapore. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a ruched white gown, attends a party to celebrate the release of her album 'The Emancipation of Mimi' on March 26, 2005 in London, England. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a denim jacket and pencil skirt, arrives at New Tokyo International Airport on March 28, 2005 in Narita, Japan. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a beaded gown, arrives for the Echo Music Awards at the Estrel Convention Centre on April 2, 2005 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in an asymmetric-necked pink dress, arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on May 29, 2005 in Urayasu, Japan. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in Versace, and Donatella Versace attend the Swarovski Fashion Rocks show at the Grimaldi Forum October 17, 2005 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a fringed shirt dress, leaves the Four Season Hotel to shoot the video for her single 'Say Somethin' on March 9, 2006 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a long-sleeved mini dress, arrives at the Make a Wish Foundation gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on November 17, 2006. EPA

Mariah Carey, in an all-black ensemble, arrives at a Pinko party on February 15, 2007 in London, England. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a zipped bomber jacket, arrives at Selfridges to sign copies of her single 'Touch My Body' on April 1, 2008 in London, England. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a simple white shirt and jeans, attends the premiere of 'Tennessee' at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, US, on April 26, 2008. EPA

Mariah Carey, in a red knee-length dress, and Nick Cannon attend the World Music Awards at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club on November 9, 2008 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a glitter-trimmed black dress, at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California, on November 23, 2008. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Dolce & Gabbana, attends the 'Precious' premiere at the Palais des Festivals during the 62nd Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a metallic-thread maxi, and Lenny Kravitz attends the 'Precious' photocall at Hotel 314 during the 62nd Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in Ysa Makino, attends the People's Choice Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on January 6, 2010. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Herve Leger, and Nick Cannon attend the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, California, on January 17, 2010. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Valentino, arrives for the 16th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on January 23, 2010. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Valentino, and Nick Cannon arrive for the 82nd Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, on March 7, 2010. EPA

Mariah Carey, in a scarlet gown, attends the Noble Gift Gala at The Dorchester on December 10, 2011 in London, England. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in a fishtail white gown, and Nick Cannon attend a photocall for their marriage vows renewal ceremony on April 27, 2012 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Mariah Carey, in Saint Laurent, arrives for the 20th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on January 18, 2014. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Herve Leger, arrives for the premiere of 'Hercules' at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on July 23, 2014. EPA

Mariah Carey, in a sequin-encrusted dress, arrives for an event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 27, 2015. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Tom Ford, arrives for the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 17, 2015. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Balmain, arrives for the NBCUniversal Upfront Presentation in New York, US, on May 16, 2016. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Gucci, arrives for the premiere of 'The Lego Batman Movie' in Westwood, California, on February 4, 2017. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Philipp Plein, attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 89th annual Academy Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on February 26, 2017. EPA

Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey, in Adidas, and their children, Moroccan and Monroe, attend the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards at USC Galen Centre in Los Angeles, California, on March 11, 2017. EPA

Mariah Carey, in a long-sleeved LBD, at a hand and footprint cement ceremony outside the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on November 1, 2017. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Dolce & Gabbana, arrives for the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2018. EPA

Mariah Carey, in Yousef Al Jasmi, attends the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on October 9, 2018. EPA

Mariah Carey, in a shimmering black sequin dress, attends the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 1, 2019. EPA

We Belong Together might have been the name of her 2005 RnB ballad, but it could also be Mariah Carey's style motto when it comes to glitz and glamour.

The American singer, 50, has a red-carpet signature that's just as dazzling as her vocal range, with a penchant for shimmer and sequins.

However, the chart-topper, who rose to fame with the release of her eponymous debut album in 1990, can be more pared-back when the occasion calls for it, too.

Grammy-winner Carey also has a knack for stepping out in chic colour-blocked gowns at the likes of the Academy Awards and Golden Globes, as well as an affinity for the classic LBD, from time to time.

While often turning to catwalk favourites, such as Valentino and Versace, the superstar – who also won acclaim for her acting with her role in 2009 drama Precious – has championed labels from the region, including Yousef Al Jasmi.

Here, we take a look at how the star's style has evolved throughout her time in the spotlight.

Scroll through the gallery above to see more images of Mariah Carey through the years.