I remember the episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians when Kanye West cleaned out Kim Kardashian's closet [1], and (sue me) I'm not even a fan of the show. I didn't "keep up" religiously like some, but as a fashion person, I'm well aware of both the influence Kanye has had on his wife from a style standpoint [2] and the prowess with which Kim has impacted the fashion industry on her own. After all, Kanye is never the one wearing Kim's clothes. Kim has carried herself with confidence, creating iconic looks that are all her own and most recently setting the tone for vintage shopping in 2019 [3], which so many young people have picked up on.
Nowadays, Kim sources archival designer pieces for red carpet events from fashion houses like Thierry Mugler [4], Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Galliano. When she's off-duty, she generally flaunts her shapewear line Skims [5] — she's built the cotton collection around her laid-back athleisure taste [6] — allowing fans to easily tap into the trend that also mirrors Kanye's famous Yeezy aesthetic. That's now, but at the beginning of the decade in 2010, Kim was decked out in bandage dresses and platform patent pumps. She wore furry vests and flares on the street and those huge "bug eye" sunglasses we all know and love. Kanye introduced her to labels like Balmain in 2012, elevating her body-con selections, and by 2013, the couple were attending the Met Gala together (Kim dressed her baby bump in those famous Givenchy florals). Come April 2014, Kim and Kanye were on the cover of Vogue, marking a serious milestone.
While it's difficult to choose favourite outfits of Kim's from the past 10 years, we definitely think the ones ahead speak to Kim's overall transformation, spark nostalgia, and pinpoint moments in history that we'll remember forever. If you're studying the connection between fashion and pop culture, Kim just so happens to be a prime subject, so let's dive right in.
Kim Kardashian in NYC in 2010
Kim wore a furry vest, wide-brim hat, and Hermès bag.
Kim Kardashian at the Bebe Fashion Show in 2010
Kim sat front row during New York Fashion Week, styling a leather bustier over a jersey dress, complete with finger-length gloves.
Kim Kardashian at E!'s 20th Birthday Celebration in 2010
Kim wore an ornamental minidress with strappy metallic heels.
Kim Kardashian in Paris in 2010
Kim wore an appliquéd miniskirt with a black blazer, nude pumps, and a leopard clutch.
Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush at Lavo in Las Vegas in 2010
Kim coordinated with her then-boyfriend for the Queen of Hearts ball in white.
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries on The Tonight Show in 2011
After marrying Kris Humphries, Kim joined him for an interview on The Tonight Show wearing this black-and-white music note minidress.
Kim Kardashian at the Grammy Awards in 2011
Kim wore a plunging gold KaufmanFranco gown with a thigh-high slit.
Kim Kardashian at the Teen Choice Awards in 2011
Kim wore a feathered Givenchy look for the event.
Kim Kardashian at the Kardashian Kollection Launch Party in 2011
Kim coordinated with the rest of her family in animal print, opting for a leopard jumpsuit with peep-toe shoes.
Kim Kardashian in LA in 2011
This street style moment acts as a summary of Kim's off-duty looks during 2011, which usually involved flared jeans, a Balenciaga bag, a leather jacket, and a long necklace.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in Cannes in 2012
Kim Kardashian [7] and Kanye West [8] started dating publicly in 2012, and she attended his Cruel Summer premiere in Cannes decked out in this glittering Balmain mini.
Kim Kardashian at the MTV EMAs in 2012
Kim's Stephane Rolland train was something to talk about. She finished the look with Christian Louboutin ankle-strap heels.
Kim Kardashian at the amfAR Gala in Cannes in 2012
Kim wore an elegant marigold Elie Saab gown to the annual gala.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Valentino Haute Couture Show in 2012
Kim and Kanye joined forces in black and white to attend the Valentino show in Paris. Kim's caged heels were definitely a go-to for the reality TV star for quite some time.
Kim Kardashian in NYC in 2012
Kim became a fan of supersexy cutouts near the bodice/chest area early on. She's still rocking similar buzzy details to this day.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Met Gala in 2013
Kim attended her first Met Gala with Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci (who at the time was at the helm of the fashion house) — and Kanye, of course.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in Paris in 2013
Kanye has always kept it casual, but leggings, boots, and a long coat were probably the most casual Kim would go at the time of Paris Fashion Week in 2013.
Kim Kardashian in Paris in 2013
Riccardo Tisci handpicked this Givenchy dress for Kim for the Mademoiselle C premiere.
Kim Kardashian at The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Breakfast in 2013
We were noticing Kim select more elegant fabrics and modest hemlines for red carpet events beginning in 2013 — just like this Lanvin gold slip that she coordinated with a matching Max Mara coat and Tom Ford heels.
Kim Kardashian Wearing the Latex Dress in Australia in 2014
Kim's latex looks will always be remembered for their undeniable sex appeal. This particular piece was by Atsuko Kudo, and she rocked it to promote her fragrance Fleur Fatale in Melbourne, Australia.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in 2014
Kanye looked dapper in a midnight navy and black suit, and Kim showed off her Atsuko Kudo latex bodysuit under a sheer Ralph & Russo skirt, complete with Tom Ford heels.
Kim Kardashian at the MTV VMAs in 2014
Kim stunned in this embellished caped Balmain minidress [10] with caged heels at the ceremony in California, which she attended with her sisters.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Balmain Afterparty in Paris in 2014
The couple showed their endless support for designer Olivier Rousteing, and Kim was decked out in this crystalized blazer from the fashion house [11].
Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and North West at the Givenchy Show in 2014
Kim and North went coordinating in sheer lace looks for the Givenchy show in Paris in 2014. This wouldn't be the last time they showed off their high-fashion mommy-and-me taste.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Met Gala in 2015
Kim famously dressed with inspiration from Cher for her 2015 Met Gala look, which was designed by Roberto Cavalli [12].
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Balmain Aftershow Dinner in 2015
Kim revealed a new platinum-blond hairstyle during Paris Fashion Week in 2015 [13]. One of her most memorable outfits had to be this fringed minidress, which she wore with tights and lace-up stiletto boots.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Grammy Awards in 2015
Kim's shimmering robe was designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and was dangerously slit right down the front.
Kim Kardashian at the CFDA Fashion Awards in 2015
We'll never forget one of the few times Kim has worn Proenza Schouler on the red carpet [14], saluting the label with this sheer grommet-covered dress at one of fashion's most important events. The design maintained Kim's signature sex appeal, but it felt like a slight change for the star.
Kim Kardashian at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in 2015
No one could think to flatter a growing baby bump like Kim Kardashian [15], who dressed head to toe in sheer Givenchy lace and completed the look with a dazzling diamond choker.
Kim Kardashian at the Balenciaga PFW Show in 2016
Kim's statement boots and effortless trench was one of her most memorable outfits, in our opinion. She showed up to the runway show in this pared-down outfit with minimal makeup. It was one of Kim's first turns to a more relaxed streetwear vibe.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Met Gala in 2016
Kim and Kanye worked a futuristic Balmain look for the 2016 Met Gala, Kim making quite the statement in her metallic number [16].
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Vogue 100 Gala in London in 2016
Kim's sheer Roberto Cavalli Couture number was right up her alley. The scarf was a chic, bohemian touch, but the waist-cinching leather belt across her midriff brought us back to her early days.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the MTV VMAs in 2016
Kim Kardashian [17]'s turn to vintage Galliano for this award ceremony was one of her best decisions ever. She looked effortlessly sexy, standing tall in strappy sandals and layering on the hammered gold Yeezy necklaces from Kanye's collection. Her slick, wet hairstyle and the ruching on this dress set a major trend forecast for what was to come — and hey, she was wearing vintage!
Kim Kardashian and North West Wearing Matching Vetements Outfits in NYC in 2016
This moment was mommy-and-me dressing to end all mommy-and-me dressing. Kim and North stepped out in custom Vetements ensembles during New York Fashion Week, North completing her own adorable dress with high-top Vans. It marked North's foray into fashion; today, she's a big fan [18].
Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala in 2017
Kim's Vivienne Westwood Couture design [19] was surely not one of the most statement making at the Met Gala in 2017, but it did mark one of Kim's more subtle takes on fashion. She attended the ball by herself and exuded utmost confidence as she climbed the stairs.
Kim Kardashian at a Balmain Opening in LA in 2017
Kim continued to show off her love for sheer in 2017, working Balmain coordinates with a tight-fitting sports bra.
Kim Kardashian and Jonathan Cheban as Cher and Sonny For Halloween in 2017
Though she was dressed for Halloween [20], we don't think anyone will forget Kim and Jonathan's take on the outfits Cher and Sonny Bono wore to the 1973 Oscars. Kim's crop-top set was perfect.
Kim Kardashian at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in 2017
Kim wore Tom Ford for Gucci, including a daring tuxedo jacket with nothing underneath. Leave it to Kim to slip into simple tailored separates and still drop jaws.
Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala in 2018
Kim attended the Met Gala without Kanye for a second time in 2018, styling this custom gold dress by Donatella Versace [22] with Lorraine Schwartz jewels. It was formfitting and ultrasexy and flattered her assets, as per usual.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Show in Paris in 2018
Kim's separates at the Louis Vuitton show [23] were another forecast for trends to come. Everything from her visor sunglasses to biker shorts and toe-loop sandals have since gone viral. This moment was proof, yet again, that Kim is one step ahead of the game.
Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala in 2019
Kim's Thierry Mugler dress [25] made headlines far after the event, likely because she admitted she couldn't pee or sit in it [26]. It was designed to pay homage to the scandalous wet dress her idol, Sophia Loren, wears in the 1957 flick Boy on a Dolphin.
Kim Kardashian in LA in 2019
Kim continued to reveal outfits from her vintage trove when she stepped out in this strappy Thierry Mugler front-slit gown [27], which she somehow carried without a wardrobe malfunction.
Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian at the amfAR New York Gala in 2019
Kim and Kourtney wore complementing Versace dresses [28] for the event. Both designs had leg slits, but Kim's neckline was decidedly more daring. The moment was proof that Kim loves coordinating with her sisters, but she'll always be the one to take things to the next level.