Sabrina Carpenter’s Boldest Fashion Statements That Had Us Talking

Sabrina Carpenter is a pint-sized pop star with a larger-than-life sense of style. Whether she’s rocking the stage or stepping onto the red carpet, Sabrina knows how to make an entrance—and sometimes, a bit too much of one. While her bold fashion choices have garnered attention, there have been several moments when her outfits raised more eyebrows than cheers. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of Sabrina’s most inappropriate outfits that had us wondering, “Was her stylist on vacation that day?”

The 2017 American Music Awards

Sabrina Carpenter is usually known for her ultra-girly, trendy looks. But at the 2017 American Music Awards, she threw us a curveball in the form of a plaid coat dress that left many scratching their heads. Imagine, if you will, that plaid-loving dad who finally decides to ‘jazz things up’ by adding a splash of color to his closet. Now, picture that transformation in the shape of a tailored coat dress with a plunging neckline. Add some thigh-high boots that were so close to her skin tone that they made her legs look wrinkly from afar, and you’ve got a look that’s more confusing than a Tetris “game over” sound.

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Sabrina landed on worst-dressed lists for this outfit, and it wasn’t hard to see why. The plaid pattern was giving major “fresh-out-of-bed robe” vibes, not exactly the level of glamour expected at an event like the AMAs. One could argue that had she swapped out those leg-wrinkling boots for something more dramatic or edgy, she might have redeemed herself. Instead, we were left with an outfit that screamed ‘espresso-sipping dad’ rather than a chart-topping pop star.

The 2023 “Feather” Music Video

You know you’ve really hit a controversial note when your music video prompts a church to hold a special cleansing service after you leave. That’s exactly what happened after Sabrina Carpenter’s 2023 music video for her single “Feather” was filmed in the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn. The video featured Sabrina dancing in front of an altar—while pastel coffins casually sat nearby. Her outfit? A black tulle puff dress complete with a lace veil, sheer tights, and stilettos. She looked like a loofah on a mission to storm a funeral.

This sartorial sacrilege did not sit well with religious groups, who were particularly upset by the fact that Carpenter’s dance moves gave the world a bit too much of an inside peek at her undergarments. All in a day’s work for a pop star, right? Sabrina, however, took it all in stride. “Jesus was a carpenter,” she quipped, clearly not too bothered by the controversy. But the moral of the story? Maybe leave the risqué outfits at home when you’re heading to a place of worship.

The 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Now, we all know that the Vanity Fair Oscar Party is one of the most prestigious events of the year, but Sabrina Carpenter somehow turned it into a game of “What Not to Wear.” She graced the event in a sheer Paco Rabanne dress that left very little to the imagination—and perhaps a bit too much to the pasties. The sheer bodice and sleeves were a touch paler than her skin tone, resulting in a less-than-flattering mismatch that didn’t do her any favors. But the real head-scratcher was the multi-colored, bejeweled pasties glued onto her chest, which resembled two Infinity Gauntlet-wielding fists flipping the bird to anyone who dared question her style choices.

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Below the waist, things didn’t get much better. The plain white skirt desperately needed a bit of color to balance out the chaotic embellishments on the top half of the dress. Carpenter herself admitted that she had also received the same gown in black, and in hindsight, she probably wished she’d worn that one instead. But no—our girl Sabrina was feeling adventurous, and the white gown made the cut. If we ever needed proof that sometimes, playing it safe is the way to go, this was it.

@faclubsabrinacarpenter

Sabrina Carpenter and AmeliaDimz exude elegance at Vanity Fair’s post-Oscars party #faclubsabrinacarpenter #sabrinacarpenter

♬ som original – faclubsabrinacarpenter

Coachella 2024

Ah, Coachella—the land of bohemian dreams and endless fashion experimentation. Naturally, Sabrina Carpenter saw this as the perfect opportunity to cause a little controversy of her own. Performing in an oversized shirt emblazoned with the words “Jesus was a carpenter,” she might have thought she was being clever, but some people found her sartorial humor less than divine. This performance came hot on the heels of her “Feather” video backlash, and clearly, Sabrina was leaning into the theme of stirring the pot.

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While Coachella is no stranger to wild fashion statements, this one didn’t land well with certain audiences, particularly those who were already upset with her for her church video antics. But to be fair, maybe Coachella should come with a disclaimer: “Please check your sensitivity at the door.”

@trastamaras

is anybody drunk already? 🥂🍸🍾🥃 #sabrinacarpenter at #coachella2024 #coachella #emailsicantsend #fyp #lyrics #Viral #Edit #sound #vicious #sabrinacarpenteredit #live #performance

♬ lets get druuuunk – sab !!!

SKIMS Campaign 2024

Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian have a long-standing feud that has seen its fair share of drama over the years. So when Sabrina Carpenter, a known Swiftie and opening act for Taylor’s Eras Tour, decided to collaborate with Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS for a lingerie campaign, Swifties everywhere were not amused. Sabrina launched her campaign on April Fools’ Day, but it was no joke—Swifties took to social media to express their outrage at what they saw as a betrayal of the Taylor-Sabrina sisterhood.

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Comments flooded Sabrina’s post, with fans expressing disappointment that she would “betray” Taylor by associating with her foe, Kim Kardashian. It’s safe to say that this fashion choice—though lucrative—was far from appropriate for someone so closely tied to the Swiftie camp. But hey, a girl’s gotta get that bag, right?

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A post shared by Sabrina Carpenter (@sabrinacarpenter)

Lessons in Fashion (or Lack Thereof)

So what have we learned from Sabrina Carpenter’s most inappropriate outfits? For one, there’s a fine line between taking fashion risks and flat-out making us question your decision-making skills. While we applaud Sabrina for being bold, there are times when perhaps a second opinion wouldn’t hurt. From plaid coats that scream “dad on vacation” to sheer dresses that look like they were pulled straight from the Marvel universe, Sabrina’s wardrobe choices have certainly kept us on our toes.

But here’s the thing: despite the occasional fashion faux pas, Sabrina Carpenter continues to own her unique style with confidence. And at the end of the day, that’s what fashion is really about—making choices that feel authentic to you, even if they leave the rest of us scratching our heads. Whether it’s a sacrilegious loofah dress or a cheeky Jesus pun, Sabrina Carpenter knows how to keep things interesting, and we’re always here for the ride.

Now, if only she could find a way to reconcile the Swifties and Kim Kardashian in the same room. That’s a fashion show we’d all pay to see.