On October 21st, it felt like a long-awaited reunion as Lady Gaga released her new album, much to the delight of her devoted fans. This time around, she embraced a homegrown sound with a surprising dose of country vibes that showcased a return to her roots. Despite her ever-evolving style that has ranged from extravagant to more refined over the years, Gaga remains a fearless artist unafraid to experiment. After the polarizing reception of her album “Artpop”, where critics labeled it as “Artflop” and sales dropped significantly, Gaga proved her resilience by staying true to her artistic vision. In our opinion, her unique style only grew stronger despite the challenges she faced.
She made a statement as she strutted out of cars and hotels, sporting a variety of eccentric looks that ranged from Professor Trelawney to a giant hairball. Needless to say, people were talking. It’s not uncommon for pop stars to shake things up and try something new, just like Miley Cyrus and Madonna did before her. The difference with Lady Gaga is that she had been pushing boundaries from the beginning, so her fans were somewhat accustomed to her bold choices. This brings us to the Cheek to Cheek era, a brief but impactful period when Lady Gaga teamed up with Tony Bennett to explore a new sound and style, much like her album Joanne does now. Even though her mainstream audience may have clamored for a more conventional look, Lady Gaga decided to go all out glam. She traded in her wild hairstyles for sleek, flat-ironed locks, donned glamorous Versace gowns fit for the Oscars, slipped into body-hugging jumpsuits, and surprisingly, opted for a sensible pair of heels. While some fans may find this change hypocritical given her anti-glam image, Joanne ties all these elements together and brings a new sense of coherence to her past aesthetics. In 2016, Lady Gaga shocked fans by embracing a throwback look – denim cutoffs that leave little to the imagination. This daring style choice harkened back to her early days as Stefani Germanotta, when she and her friend Lady Starlight set the Lower East Side of New York ablaze with their fiery performances. Back then, her signature look included a disco bra paired with scruffy denim shorts. Embracing her roots, Lady Gaga’s return to denim bikini bottoms and cropped tees serves as a nostalgic reminder of where she came from and how far she’s come.
Photo: James Devaney/GC Images. However, fundamentally, that’s the essence of Joanne. For Gaga, it feels like 2007 all over again where anything goes. Her edgy biker bar outfits have been turning heads in New York City recently, and regardless of the weather or occasion, she stays true to her unique style. While her looks may seem simple, they are more daring than ever – perfect for a bold superstar. You wouldn’t catch former female country legends like Loretta Lynn or June Cash donning boob tape and sequined cutoffs, but perhaps Dolly Parton or Gretchen Wilson might give it a shot. The key to her unconventional style is not madness at all, but rather a deliberate choice to break free from norms. Despite the ongoing fascination with superficial style quizzes, we should move beyond judging individuals based on their outfits. The ever-changing trend cycle makes it impossible to define what’s “in” or “out.” This reinforces the importance of allowing celebrities to express themselves freely, without being confined to specific labels. Lady Gaga is the rebel who crashed the party and stayed anyway, embodying the essence of Joanne in this modern era. A new, more fearless Gaga has emerged, unapologetically shaking up the fashion and music industries. Whether we accept this change or not, it doesn’t matter because Gaga will continue to defy expectations with her signature pink cowboy hat. She challenges the conventional norms of both fashion and pop music, causing them to spin in opposite directions. This is the epitome of owning your personal style – where you dictate the rules, regardless of how high your shorts may go.
