We love a homegrown superstar, and Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne is no exception. With seven studio albums and eight Grammy award noms under her studded belt, there’s no denying: this pop-punk princess is the real deal. Coming up on the 20th anniversary of her iconic debut album, we’re taking a look at the many layers of tutu-tulle and other classic sk8er girl fashion that make up Avril Lavigne’s style evolution.
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Avril Lavigne epitomizes pop-punk style at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2002
After winning a radio contest to perform with Shania Twain in 1999, aspiring singer Avril Lavigne was put on a steady path towards her dream, and in 2002, released her debut album, Let Go. Definitely leaning into her skater style, this became an immediate signature for Lavigne, whose spunky persona and more androgynous fashion choices provided a refreshing departure from other pop singers of the day.
![Avril Lavigne poses on the red carpet for photos at the Grammy Awards in 2003]()
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After winning a radio contest to perform with Shania Twain in 1999, aspiring singer Avril Lavigne was put on a steady path towards her dream, and in 2002, released her debut album, Let Go. Definitely leaning into her skater style, this became an immediate signature for Lavigne, whose spunky persona and more androgynous fashion choices provided a refreshing departure from other pop singers of the day.
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Avril Lavigne suits up for the Grammy Awards in 2003
Decked out in what is probably the least flattering suit-style ensemble for a red carpet event, Avril Lavigne rocked this look at the 45th Grammys with such confidence that it’s hard to knock it. Instead, let’s appreciate her efforts at detailing the jacket liner with DIY tape lettering that spelled out “ROCK ON”.
Decked out in what is probably the least flattering suit-style ensemble for a red carpet event, Avril Lavigne rocked this look at the 45th Grammys with such confidence that it’s hard to knock it. Instead, let’s appreciate her efforts at detailing the jacket liner with DIY tape lettering that spelled out “ROCK ON”.
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Avril Lavigne pals around with Kelly Osbourne at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2003
Throwing a curveball to fans, Avril Lavigne turned up to the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards wearing a satin corseted top and low-rise, pink-striped pants. While she accessorized with skateboarding sneaks, the usual wrist cuffs and minimal makeup, the veer towards more feminine pieces made for a more interesting ensemble than we'd seen before on the punky singer.
Related: 20 richest singers of 2021.
Throwing a curveball to fans, Avril Lavigne turned up to the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards wearing a satin corseted top and low-rise, pink-striped pants. While she accessorized with skateboarding sneaks, the usual wrist cuffs and minimal makeup, the veer towards more feminine pieces made for a more interesting ensemble than we'd seen before on the punky singer.
Related: 20 richest singers of 2021.
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Avril Lavigne is business up top, party on the bottom at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2004
In a mismatched blazer and cargo pants combo, Avril Lavigne showed up to the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice awards looking as though she’d been of two minds when getting dressed.
In a mismatched blazer and cargo pants combo, Avril Lavigne showed up to the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice awards looking as though she’d been of two minds when getting dressed.
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Avril Lavigne dabbles in glam at the World Music Awards in 2004
Experimenting with her style, Avril Lavigne opted for a hybrid goth-glam look at the 2004 World Music Awards, where she stepped out in a corseted dress with skull-print details, curled locks and combat boots.
![Avril Lavigne poses at a music event in 2005]()
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Experimenting with her style, Avril Lavigne opted for a hybrid goth-glam look at the 2004 World Music Awards, where she stepped out in a corseted dress with skull-print details, curled locks and combat boots.
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Avril Lavigne keeps it casual for Jam Sessions with Alanis Morissette
For the American Express "Jam Sessions" event at the House of Blues, where she and Alanis Morissette were featured, Avril Lavigne kept it casual in a zip-up hoodie, distressed denim mini skirt, stockings and the usual knee-high socks and heavy-duty boots combo.
For the American Express "Jam Sessions" event at the House of Blues, where she and Alanis Morissette were featured, Avril Lavigne kept it casual in a zip-up hoodie, distressed denim mini skirt, stockings and the usual knee-high socks and heavy-duty boots combo.
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Avril Lavigne gets outside her (style) comfort zone for a book launch in 2005
Blink and you might have missed her at the 2005 book launch for supermodel Iman, hosted by Naomi Campbell. For the upscale soiree, held in New York, Avril Lavigne’s look was a complete departure from her usual signature skater-girl style. The singer wore a blazer over a lace blouse with jeans and – wait for it – simple black heeled boots. With her hair pulled back into a sleek low pony, the singer looked elegant and understated. A sign of her ongoing willingness to occasionally try new things style-wise, Avril was showing signs of a desire to experiment with a more mature fashion palette.
Related: Jennifer Lawrence's style evolution.
Blink and you might have missed her at the 2005 book launch for supermodel Iman, hosted by Naomi Campbell. For the upscale soiree, held in New York, Avril Lavigne’s look was a complete departure from her usual signature skater-girl style. The singer wore a blazer over a lace blouse with jeans and – wait for it – simple black heeled boots. With her hair pulled back into a sleek low pony, the singer looked elegant and understated. A sign of her ongoing willingness to occasionally try new things style-wise, Avril was showing signs of a desire to experiment with a more mature fashion palette.
Related: Jennifer Lawrence's style evolution.
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Avril Lavigne proves she can glam with the best of them at Cannes in 2006
Doing publicity in 2006 for her role as the voice of Heather, the opossum, from the animated hit film Over The Hedge, which she co-starred in with Bruce Willis and William Shatner, amongst others, Avril Lavigne opted for a glam gown on the Cannes red carpet. Strapless in a funky striped pattern, the dress was flattering and fun, and the look proved to be one of her best yet.
Doing publicity in 2006 for her role as the voice of Heather, the opossum, from the animated hit film Over The Hedge, which she co-starred in with Bruce Willis and William Shatner, amongst others, Avril Lavigne opted for a glam gown on the Cannes red carpet. Strapless in a funky striped pattern, the dress was flattering and fun, and the look proved to be one of her best yet.
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Avril Lavigne knows what she likes at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2006
While dabbling in the occasional glam look, Avril continued to gravitate towards her skater-girl roots, leaning into her signature style for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2006. Who knew a sweater vest could look so badass?
![Avril Lavigne wears a strapless gold dress to the American Music Awards in 2007]()
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While dabbling in the occasional glam look, Avril continued to gravitate towards her skater-girl roots, leaning into her signature style for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2006. Who knew a sweater vest could look so badass?
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Avril Lavigne gets the gold at the American Music Awards in 2007
Absolutely nailing rocker-glam in a strapless gold Dolce and Gabbana dress, Avril Lavigne wowed on the red carpet at the 2007 AMAs.
Absolutely nailing rocker-glam in a strapless gold Dolce and Gabbana dress, Avril Lavigne wowed on the red carpet at the 2007 AMAs.
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Avril Lavigne showcases her own designs for her fashion brand Abbey Dawn in 2009
Avril Lavigne launched her fashion label, Abbey Dawn (named after her childhood nickname) in 2008. While 2009 proved to be a tumultuous year for the singer, who would split from her then-husband, Sum 41 band member and fellow Canadian Deryck Whibley, the singer was all smiles debuting her latest fashion release on the runway.
![Avril Lavigne wears a printed mini dress to an awards event in 2010]()
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Avril Lavigne launched her fashion label, Abbey Dawn (named after her childhood nickname) in 2008. While 2009 proved to be a tumultuous year for the singer, who would split from her then-husband, Sum 41 band member and fellow Canadian Deryck Whibley, the singer was all smiles debuting her latest fashion release on the runway.
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Avril Lavigne is pretty in pink (highlights) at the American Music Awards in 2010
Rocking pink highlights and that mega-watt smile, Avril Lavigne looked ready for a great night in a funky printed mini dress and peep-toe ankle boots.
Rocking pink highlights and that mega-watt smile, Avril Lavigne looked ready for a great night in a funky printed mini dress and peep-toe ankle boots.
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Avril Lavigne serves up ballerina-punk-glam at the Brit Awards in 2011
She may have worn all-black, but Avril Lavigne’s look for the 2011 Brit Awards was anything but basic. In a black feathered tutu-style skirt and sequin top, the singer nailed it on the red carpet.
She may have worn all-black, but Avril Lavigne’s look for the 2011 Brit Awards was anything but basic. In a black feathered tutu-style skirt and sequin top, the singer nailed it on the red carpet.
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Avril Lavigne looks punk-designer chic at an Abbey Dawn show in 2012
Looking every bit the part of a punk-rock designer, Avril Lavigne sported funky eyeglasses and a tuxedo-blazer for a 2012 Abbey Dawn fashion show.
Looking every bit the part of a punk-rock designer, Avril Lavigne sported funky eyeglasses and a tuxedo-blazer for a 2012 Abbey Dawn fashion show.
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Avril Lavigne and ex-hubby Chad Kroeger attend the Huading Awards Ceremony in 2013
Looking elegant in a black-and-white colour block gown, Avril Lavigne was all smiles standing next to then-husband and lead singer of Canadian band Nickelback, at the Huading Awards Ceremony in China in 2013.
![Avril Lavigne attends the Juno Awards wearing a black mini dress in 2016]()
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Looking elegant in a black-and-white colour block gown, Avril Lavigne was all smiles standing next to then-husband and lead singer of Canadian band Nickelback, at the Huading Awards Ceremony in China in 2013.
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Avril Lavigne keeps it short and sweet at the Juno’s in 2016
Avril Lavigne opted for her signature hue in a fun mini dress for the 2016 Juno Awards. Her glam side-swept hair and clean beauty look was the real winner here, giving her bombshell vibes on the red carpet.
Avril Lavigne opted for her signature hue in a fun mini dress for the 2016 Juno Awards. Her glam side-swept hair and clean beauty look was the real winner here, giving her bombshell vibes on the red carpet.
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Avril Lavigne goes for space-fairy glam at the UNICEF Masquerade Ball in 2019
Giving us intergalactic ice-queen fairy vibes – complete with a handheld eye mask, Avril Lavigne definitely took her costume seriously for the UNICEF Masquerade Ball in 2019.
Related: Then and now: 10 drastic celebrity style changes.
Giving us intergalactic ice-queen fairy vibes – complete with a handheld eye mask, Avril Lavigne definitely took her costume seriously for the UNICEF Masquerade Ball in 2019.
Related: Then and now: 10 drastic celebrity style changes.
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Avril Lavigne misses the mark at a Pre-Grammy Gala in 2020
While we’ve always loved Avril Lavigne in her signature goth-glam hue, we can’t say we were feeling the ill-fitting black gown she wore to the Pre-Grammy Gala in 2020. Drowning in fabric, this frock was just too much – and not enough – all at once.
While we’ve always loved Avril Lavigne in her signature goth-glam hue, we can’t say we were feeling the ill-fitting black gown she wore to the Pre-Grammy Gala in 2020. Drowning in fabric, this frock was just too much – and not enough – all at once.
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Avril Lavigne poses with now-fiancé Mod Sun at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2021
Getting the memo on trending pop-punk celebrity coupling, Avril Lavigne and then-boyfriend-turned-fiancé punk singer Mod Sun turned up to the MTV Video Music Awards looking on-trend and in love. The pair recently confirmed the news of their engagement, marking what will be the third marriage for the Canadian pop-punk princess.
![Avril Lavigne poses at the Grammy Awards in 2022]()
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Getting the memo on trending pop-punk celebrity coupling, Avril Lavigne and then-boyfriend-turned-fiancé punk singer Mod Sun turned up to the MTV Video Music Awards looking on-trend and in love. The pair recently confirmed the news of their engagement, marking what will be the third marriage for the Canadian pop-punk princess.
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Avril Lavigne goes back to her roots for the Grammy Awards in 2022
In a black, high-low gown with tons of tulle and a funky belt detail, Avril Lavigne seemed to be paying homage to her red-carpet beginnings when she turned up to the Grammy Awards in 2022. The look was fun and funky, with a twist of femme – and 100 per cent Avril.
In a black, high-low gown with tons of tulle and a funky belt detail, Avril Lavigne seemed to be paying homage to her red-carpet beginnings when she turned up to the Grammy Awards in 2022. The look was fun and funky, with a twist of femme – and 100 per cent Avril.
