13 Best Dancing With the Stars Fashion Moments of All Time, From Kim Kardashian to Alix Earle

The Gist

• Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars premiered on September 15, 2026.

• Each week, the stars and their pro partners collaborate on costumes that complement the theme and style of their dances.

• InStyle looks back at 13 of the best Dancing With the Stars fashion moments throughout the years.

You may think you're simply reaching the age when Dancing With the Stars starts catering to you, but the long-running competition series is having a major moment in general. So, no matter your age, it makes sense if you've suddenly found yourself completely engrossed in the celebrity-meets-dance-pro spectacle (and keeping who's delivering a perfect 10 each week).

Of course, the choreography is only part of the fun. The themed costumes are often just as entertaining as the dances themselves, with every performance bringing a new opportunity for sequins, fringe, feathers, sheer fabrics, and plenty of sparkle. And when Disney Night, Halloween Night, or the freestyle round rolls around, you can pretty much count on the wardrobe department pulling out all the stops. Depending on the dance and its theme, contestants can transform from Old Hollywood starlets in sweeping gowns to disco divas dripping in rhinestones—and sometimes undergo multiple transitions in a single episode.

And with a celebrity roster that has included everyone from Kim Kardashian to Ariana Madix and Maura Higgins, there's been no shortage of memorable fashion over the years. Some looks lean glamorous, other fully embrace the camp of the ballroom, but the best become almost memorable as the performances themselves.

Ahead, discover 13 of the best Dancing With the Stars fashion moments of all time.

01 of 13

Kim Kardashian & Mark Ballas (2008)

In 2008, Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas coordinated for the ballroom in fiery orange looks. Kardashian leaned into flapper-inspired glamour in a ruffled mini dress with daring side cutouts and matching chunky bangles, while Ballas complemented his partner in an open orange button-down.

02 of 13

Lil' Kim & Derek Hough (2009)

Lil' Kim and Derek Hough brought a dose of sunshine to the ballroom in 2009. The rapper sparkled in a crystal-covered, fringe-trimmed dress, while Hough complemented her in a matching yellow button-down.

03 of 13

Corbin Bleu & Karina Smirnoff (2013)

Corbin Bleu took it back to his High School Musical days for this 2013 performance alongside Karina Smirnoff. Nodding to the franchise's baseball-heavy musical numbers, Bleu suited up in a Wildcats-style uniform, while Smirnoff played into the routine's school theme with a preppy, uniform-inspired look.

04 of 13

Michael Waltrip & Emma Slater (2014)

Michael Waltrip and Emma Slater brought his NASCAR roots straight to the ballroom in yellow racing suits. The sporty costume offered a playful nod to Waltrip's career behind the wheel while putting on a dance-floor spin on classic trackside attire.

05 of 13

Paige VanZant & Mark Ballas (2016)

Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas went full '60s for the show's Famous Dances Night, channeling the colorful world of Austin Powers. With their retro costumes and whimsy styling, the pair looked ready to dance their way into a groovy spy spoof.

06 of 13

Jesse Metcalfe & Sharna Burgess (2020)

For Disney night, Jesse Metcalfe and Sharna Burgess embraced the Newsies theme while dancing to "King of New York." Metcalfe kept things classic in a newsboy cap and period-inspired separates, while Burgess took the reference a step further with a dress featuring a newspaper-print skirt and coordinating derby shoes.

07 of 13

Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach (2021)

Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach brought the eerie wold of Us to the ballroom for their 2021 horror-themed routine. The pair recreated the film's instantly recognizable look in matching red jumpsuits, proving that sometimes the simplest costumes can make the biggest impact.

08 of 13

Ariana Madix & Pasha Pashkov (2023)

Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov turned up the heat for the Season 12 finale in coordinating head-to-toe red. Madix went bold in a glossy latex look with matching boots, while Pashkov kept things sporty in a red tracksuit.

09 of 13

Joey Graziadei & Jenna Johnson (2024)

Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson went into the jungle for Disney Night, channeling Tarzan for their samba to "Trashin' the Camp." Graziadei fully committed to the part—or rather, the lack of a costume—with a long wig and shirtless Tarzan-inspired look, while Johnson coordinated in a tonal suede ensemble.

10 of 13

Jenn Tran & Sasha Farber (2024)

Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber went under the sea for Disney Night channeling The Little Mermaid for their routine. Tran transformed into Ariel in the princess's signature red locks and blue dress, while Farber completed the fairytale moment as Prince Eric.

11 of 13

Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy (2025)

For their finale freestyle to Nelly Furtado's "Maneater" and Tate McRae's "Sports Car," Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy went dark and dramatic in coordinating black-and-gold looks. Earle's performance-ready ensemble featured thigh-high boots and a sweeping train that moved with the choreography, while Chmerkovskiy matched in a lather jacket with metallic gold detailing.

12 of 13

Danny Amendola & Witney Carson (2025)

Danny Amendola and Witney Carson brought the Marvel universe to the ballroom for Disney Night, taking on Deadpool & Wolverine for their jazz routine. The pair dressed the part in coordinating red-and-yellow costumes that played off the superheroes' instantly recognizable looks.

13 of 13

Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas (2026)

Maura Higgins traded The Traitors for a new partner when she joined Mark Ballas in the ballroom. The pair kicked off the season in sleek, all-black looks, with Higgins bringing the drama in a velvet, halter gown and opera gloves, and Ballas coordinated in head-to-toe black.

Read the original article on InStyle