5 times Sam Smith went viral for their fashion choices in 2023, from Vivienne Westwood to accept their Cultural Innovator title at the British Fashion Awards, to that latex balloon suit and pigeon bag

Dec 20 , 2023

Sam Smith has donned some striking looks over the years. Photos: Getty Images/AP

Sam Smith accepted the Cultural Innovator trophy at the British Fashion Awards 2023 earlier this month for creating some of the most viral fashion moments of the year – which the artist did yet again with their outfit choice for the event.

The English singer-songwriter wore not one, but two all-black outfits for the British Fashion Awards 2023 in London on December 4, and fans had mixed reactions.

Smith’s outfits often play with the boundaries of gendered fashion, and occasionally take a bolder and sometimes eclectic route.

From skirts and platform heels, to the viral latex balloon outfit and JW Anderson pigeon clutch, here are five of Smith’s most experimental ensembles in this year alone.

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1. The British Fashion Awards – boots and all

Sam Smith poses on the red carpet at the annual British Fashion Awards in London, on December 4. Photo: Reuters

The 31-year-old singer arrived at the red carpet at London’s Royal Albert Hall in an all-black Vivienne Westwood outfit.

The “Unholy” singer wore a tailored jacket with exaggerated sleeves paired with a thigh-skimming kilt, but the show stoppers were Smith’s dramatic platform leather boots.

2. Belle of the ball

Sam Smith chose a Vivienne Westwood gown for their acceptance of the Cultural Innovator award. Photo: Getty

To accept their Cultural Innovator award at the Fashion Awards, Smith changed into their second all-black look of the night – another dramatic Vivienne Westwood gown.

Speaking about the award, Caroline Rush, chief executive officer at the British Fashion Council, said, “Smith’s unapologetic and groundbreaking style choices have dominated the industry in 2023 and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support of UK designers.”

3. The pigeon handbag

Sam Smith at the Harris Reed show during September’s London Fashion Week. Photo: Getty Images

The fashion-forward singer played with the recent “skirt over jeans” trend taking over TikTok at London Fashion Week in September.

They layered a grey dress over denims along with an oversized black blazer, but the star of the show was their choice of accessory – the JW Anderson Pigeon clutch.

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4. Viral latex balloon suit

Sam Smith goes all-out to make an impression at the 2023 Brit Awards. Photo: @samsmith/Instagram

Smith’s all-black latex look at this year’s Brit Awards will surely go down in fashion history as one of the most iconic – and bewildering – style moments.

According to designer Harikrishnan Keezhathil Surendran Pillai, the balloon-like suit was intended to celebrate Smith’s “natural form and the beauty of being one’s self,” per Business Insider.

5. 16XL Barbie

Sam Smith wore a “16 XL Barbie” look for the film’s London premiere, earlier in the year. Photo: Getty Images

Smith attended the Barbie premiere in London earlier this year where, unlike most attendees who opted for the obvious pink-and-perfect looks, they chose an oversized pair of jeans and a baggy sweatshirt to walk the pink carpet.

Smith shared the outfit on Instagram, captioning the post “16 XL Barbie”.

Celebrity style

At British Fashion Awards, the singer wore two all-black outfits: a Vivienne Westwood jacket, kilt and high-heeled boots, and a dramatic long gown from the same designer
Their 16XL sweatshirt and jeans Barbie look and JW Anderson Pigeon clutch caught the eye too, but the balloon-like Pillai latex look for the Brit Awards definitely prompted the biggest reaction