Cher is more than just a pop culture icon; she’s a trailblazer whose fearless approach to fashion has left an indelible mark on the world. For over six decades, Cher has continually challenged norms, setting trends that have rippled through music, film, and fashion. While her powerhouse voice and daring performances have captivated audiences, it’s her boundary-breaking style that has truly redefined how we think about fashion—especially when it comes to the intersection of gender and self-expression.

Long before “gender-neutral” fashion became a buzzword in the industry, Cher was playing with—and discarding—traditional notions of femininity and masculinity. From her glam-rock-inspired costumes to her androgynous, menswear-infused ensembles, Cher has embraced a sartorial identity that refuses to be confined by gender norms. Her bold, unapologetic sense of style has made her not only a symbol of defiance but a pioneer in a movement toward gender-neutral fashion long before it became mainstream.

In a world where fashion has historically been divided along binary lines—separating men from women, masculine from feminine—Cher has demonstrated that style knows no bounds. Let’s explore how this fearless icon broke barriers, set new standards, and paved the way for gender-neutral fashion as we know it today.

The Early Days: Breaking the Mold

When Cher first emerged in the public eye as part of the duo Sonny & Cher in the 1960s, the world wasn’t ready for what was to come. The group’s folk-pop sound was infectious, but it was Cher’s striking style that set her apart. She didn’t look like the typical female pop stars of the time. With her long, dark hair, lean frame, and sharp features, Cher had a natural androgynous allure that set her apart from the hyper-feminine ideals of the era. Her early fashion choices were bold—knee-high boots, bell-bottom pants, fur vests, and oversized sunglasses. These were not the dainty, restrained looks typically associated with women in the spotlight during that time.

In Sonny & Cher’s variety show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, Cher regularly subverted expectations with her costumes. Her towering headdresses, glittering jumpsuits, and daring, sheer gowns were more than just stage outfits—they were statements. Cher wasn’t interested in playing by the rules of traditional female celebrity fashion. She embraced her own version of femininity, one that could switch from glam goddess to androgynous rocker in the blink of an eye.

One particularly iconic moment came in the 1965 music video for “I Got You Babe.” Cher’s outfit—a simple, fitted striped sweater and bell-bottom pants—wasn’t just trendy; it was subtly androgynous. This was a time when women were still expected to wear skirts and dresses in public spaces. Cher, however, rejected those conventions with ease, her long hair and makeup creating a striking juxtaposition to her otherwise masculine attire.

The Glam Rock Era: When Fashion Became a Weapon

The 1970s brought with it a revolution in culture, music, and fashion, and Cher was at the forefront. This was the era of glam rock, and artists like David Bowie and Freddie Mercury were pushing the boundaries of gender in fashion by blending traditionally male and female elements into their wardrobes. Cher, however, wasn’t just a part of this movement—she was shaping it.

In her collaboration with legendary costume designer Bob Mackie, Cher became known for some of the most avant-garde, daring outfits in entertainment history. Mackie’s designs weren’t just form-fitting or attention-grabbing; they were transformative. Together, Cher and Mackie created iconic looks that blurred the line between costumes and couture, as well as between masculine and feminine.

One of the most famous examples is Cher’s 1974 Academy Awards outfit: a glittering, bare-midriff, two-piece gown with feathers cascading from her head to her waist. It was extravagant, yes, but it also defied the gendered expectations of the Oscars red carpet, where women were expected to wear demure gowns and men donned tailored tuxedos. Cher’s look didn’t fit into either category. It was bold, futuristic, and undeniably androgynous in its rejection of both traditional menswear and feminine eveningwear.

Throughout the ‘70s, Cher’s personal style continued to incorporate traditionally masculine elements. She wore sharply tailored suits and tuxedos with a confidence that was rarely seen in female performers at the time. And she wore them with a twist—often pairing them with plunging necklines, bold makeup, and, of course, that signature long hair. Her outfits were a fusion of male and female, a reflection of a world—and a fashion landscape—that was beginning to understand gender as a spectrum rather than a binary.

The ‘80s: Embracing Androgyny in Pop Culture

By the 1980s, Cher had cemented herself as a style icon, but this decade saw her further pushing the boundaries of gender-neutral fashion in ways that would influence the next generation of artists. The ‘80s were a time of excess and experimentation, and Cher fully embraced the ethos of the era. Her look during this time was a fusion of rock ‘n’ roll rebellion and high-fashion elegance, playing with leather, lace, androgynous tailoring, and elaborate accessories.

Her 1989 hit single “If I Could Turn Back Time” became famous not only for its chart success but for its music video, where Cher’s fashion choices were nothing short of revolutionary. In the video, she performed on a battleship, clad in a black fishnet bodysuit paired with a leather jacket—an outfit that blurred the lines between traditionally feminine and masculine elements. The look was hypersexualized and yet grounded in the tough, rugged aesthetic typically reserved for men in rock music videos. Cher’s fashion made a statement: women could be powerful, sexual, and still embrace elements of masculinity without losing their femininity.

This wasn’t just about what Cher was wearing; it was about the context in which she was wearing it. Her sartorial choices sent a message that fashion didn’t have to be dictated by gender, and women didn’t have to choose between femininity and strength. They could have it all—and Cher was living proof.

The Legacy of Gender-Neutral Fashion

Cher’s influence on gender-neutral fashion didn’t end in the ‘80s. As fashion has continued to evolve, her fearlessness has paved the way for countless designers, artists, and celebrities to break the mold. Artists like Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, and Janelle Monáe—known for their fluid approach to fashion—owe part of their sartorial freedom to the groundwork that Cher laid decades ago.

In the 2000s, fashion took a turn toward minimalism, but Cher remained true to her maximalist roots. She continued to embrace both masculine and feminine elements in her style, often blurring the lines between the two. Even in her later years, Cher has stayed relevant, not only in music and film but as a fashion icon who defies age and gender stereotypes. Whether it’s rocking menswear-inspired suits on the red carpet or embracing her glamorous side in feathered, sequined gowns, Cher’s fashion remains timeless because it refuses to be categorized.

What sets Cher apart from so many other fashion icons is her ability to inspire through authenticity. She has never tried to fit into the mold of what a woman in entertainment is “supposed” to look like. Instead, she has used fashion as a tool of empowerment, showing the world that true style comes from within and that the most daring thing anyone can do is simply be themselves—regardless of gender norms.

A Lasting Impact: Cher’s Role in the Gender-Neutral Fashion Movement

As the fashion industry increasingly embraces gender neutrality—moving away from the rigid male/female dichotomy in clothing design—Cher’s contributions feel more relevant than ever. Designers like Alessandro Michele of Gucci, Jonathan Anderson of JW Anderson, and Telfar Clemens of Telfar have led the charge in creating collections that appeal to both men and women, often drawing inspiration from icons like Cher who refused to adhere to traditional fashion boundaries.

Cher’s legacy lives on not only in the stunning visuals she created on stage and on screen but also in the influence she’s had on how we view clothing, identity, and self-expression. Her boldness has encouraged countless people to challenge the limitations imposed on them by society and to embrace fashion as a fluid, evolving art form.

In a world that’s still working to deconstruct gender binaries in many aspects of life, Cher stands as a symbol of freedom—freedom to wear what you want, love who you want, and be who you want. She paved the way for a new kind of fashion, one that is truly timeless and fearless.

And while many artists may come and go, Cher’s influence, both in music and in fashion, will endure. She didn’t just challenge the norms—she redefined them. And in doing so, she opened the door for all of us to do the same.