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Photos Of Janet Jackson's Style Evolution Through The Years

The singer clearly loves shoulder pads and crop tops.
By 

Janet Jackson is a style icon for the ages.

The star, who just celebrated her 52nd birthday on May 16, has given us plenty of fashion inspiration over the years. From her days of matching Jackson family costumes to her penchant for shoulder-padded blazers and her affinity for crop tops, the “Dammn Baby” singer always radiates an aura of effortless cool that people aspire to achieve.

On May 20, Jackson is set to perform at the Billboard Music Awards ― her first TV performance in almost a decade ― and she’ll also be presented with the well-deserved Icon Award.

Ahead of the show, we thought we’d take a look back at Jackson’s style through the years. Scroll through to see for yourself:

Circa 1971
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
With her brother Randy Jackson.
1972
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
With her brother, Michael Jackson, at their home in Los Angeles.
1972
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Posing for a portrait with her father, Joe Jackson, in Los Angeles.
1973
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
With her mother Katherine, sisters Janet and LaToya and brothers Michael and Randy at the wedding of older brother Jermaine Jackson to Berry Gordy's daughter Hazel in Hollywood.
1974
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Posing for a portrait at the 46th annual Santa Claus Lane Parade in Hollywood.
Circa 1977
CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images
Promotional portrait of the Jackson family. Clockwise from lower row, left: Janet, Randy, Jackie, Michael, Tito, Marlon, LaToya and Rebbie Jackson.
1977
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Posing for a portrait at the Jackson family home in Los Angeles.
1977
ABC Photo Archives via Getty Images
Onstage at the American Music Awards.
1977
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Posing for a portrait session with a Model T Ford in Los Angeles.
1978
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Posing for a portrait session in Los Angeles.
1978
NBC via Getty Images
Photographed as Charlene DuPrey on an episode of "Diff'rent Strokes."
1982
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Posing for a portrait session in Los Angeles.
1983
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
At the R&B Awards in Los Angeles.
1983
Ron Galella via Getty Images
At the 10th annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles.
1984
ABC Photo Archives via Getty Images
Performing on "American Bandstand."
1985
Ron Galella via Getty Images
With James Debarge at 12th annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles.
1985
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Posing for a portrait session in Los Angeles.
1986
Harry Langdon via Getty Images
Posing for a portrait in Los Angeles.
1986
Bertrand Rindoff Petroff via Getty Images
Appearing on a French TV broadcast.
1988
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At the 5th annual American Cinema Awards in Beverly Hills.
1989
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At the presentation of platinum records for her album "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814" and two singles "Miss You Much" and "Rhythm Nation" in Hollywood.
1990
Jim Steinfeldt via Getty Images
Performing at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.
1990
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At the 1st annual Billboard Music Awards in Santa Monica, California.
1992
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At the 7th annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards in Hollywood.
1992
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At the 6th annual Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles.
1992
Jim Smeal via Getty Images
At the 24th annual NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles.
1993
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
With Michael Jackson at the 35th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
1993
Ebet Roberts via Getty Images
Performing at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
1994
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At\ the party for her sold-out concert tour and plaque presentation for 10 million copies of "Janet" album in Culver City, California.
1994
Jim Smeal via Getty Images
At the 51st annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills.
1995
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At the 12th annual MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.
1997
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Janet Jackson attends the Virgin Records Party for "The Velvet Rope" in Culver City, California.
1997
New York Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Arriving for the MTV Awards at Radio City Music Hall.
1997
KMazur via Getty Images
During a "Velvet Rope" signing at Virgin Megastore in New York City.
1998
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At the 4th annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards in Hollywood.
1998
Phil Dent via Getty Images
Performing onstage during The Velvet Rope tour.
1998
Phil Dent via Getty Images
Performing onstage during The Velvet Rope tour.
1998
The Washington Post via Getty Images
In concert before a sold out MCI Center.
1999
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At the Commitment to Life XI Gala to Benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles.
1999
Jim Smeal via Getty Images
At The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards in Los Angeles.
2000
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At the MTV Movie Awards in Culver City, California.
2001
Kevin Winter via Getty Images
Backstage at the 28th annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles.
2001
Frank Micelotta Archive via Getty Images
At the MTV Icon: Janet Jackson show taping in Los Angeles.
2001
Dave Hogan via Getty Images
Performing onstage on the opening night of her "All For You" world tour in Vancouver, Canada.
2001
Rob Verhorst via Getty Images
Performing onstage at TMF Awards.
2002
D. Kambouris via Getty Images
During the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills.
2002
Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images
At the 15th annual Essence Awards in Los Angeles.
2004
KMazur via Getty Images
During The AOL TopSpeed Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show press conference in Houston, Texas.
2004
Carlo Allegri via Getty Images
Posing backstage in the press room at the 18th annual Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles.
2004
Scott Gries via Getty Images
Performing onstage during "Good Morning America" in New York City.
2004
Frank Micelotta via Getty Images
Performing during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVIII between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers in Houston, Texas.
2004
KMazur via Getty Images
During Virgin Records Presents "Damita Jo": A Celebration with Janet Jackson in New York City.
2004
Dave Hogan via Getty Images
Arriving at the Mobo Awards in London.
2004
Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images
At the Black Entertainment Awards in Hollywood, California.
2004
KMazur via Getty Images
In New York City.
2004
Albert L. Ortega via Getty Images
At the Teen Choice Awards at the Universal Ampitheater in Universal City, California
2004
S. Granitz via Getty Images
At the American Music Awards.
2004
KMazur via Getty Images
With Jermaine Dupri during Royal Birthday Ball for Sean "P. Diddy" Combs in New York City.
2005
L. Cohen via Getty Images
With Jermaine Dupri during Clive Davis' 2005 Pre-Grammy Awards Party in Beverly Hills, California.
2005
Mark Mainz via Getty Images
At the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in West Hollywood, California.
2006
Jemal Countess via Getty Images
During Antonio "L.A." Reid's 50th birthday party in New York City.
2006
Frazer Harrison via Getty Images
With Jermaine Dupri at the ESPY Awards in Hollywood.
2006
Peter Kramer via Getty Images
At the CFDA Awards in New York City.
2006
Michael Tran Archive via Getty Images
During LG & Jermaine Dupri launch new Fusic in Hollywood.
2006
Michael Loccisano via Getty Images
Performing on "The Today Show" in New York City.
2006
Ethan Miller via Getty Images
At Tao Nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada.
2006
Michel Dufour via Getty Images
At the PPR gala dinner at the Museum des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.
2006
Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images
With Jermaine Dupri during Hollywood Life Movieline Style Awards in West Hollywood, California.
2006
Ethan Miller via Getty Images
At the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
2006
Kevin Winter/Fox via Getty Images
Performing onstage at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
2007
Mark Davis via Getty Images
At the Oscar nominee party honoring actress Jennifer Hudson in Beverly Hills California.
2007
Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images
At Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married" premiere in Hollywood.
2007
Scott Gries via Getty Images
Posing for a photo during BET's "106 & Park" in New York City.
2007
Bryan Bedder via Getty Images
At the premiere of Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married" in New York City.
2007
Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
At the grand opening of The Cove Atlantis on Paradise Island.
2007
Steve Granitz via Getty Images
At Hollywood Film Festival's Hollywood Awards in Beverly Hills.
2008
Jeffrey Mayer via Getty Images
Posing after winning the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award for Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?" at the 39th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles.
2008
Paul Redmond via Getty Images
With Jermaine Dupri attend Jermaine Dupri's Grammy Pre-Party in Hollywood.
2008
Brad Barket via Getty Images
At a promotional event for her album "Discipline" at Best Buy in New York City.
2008
Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
During Nickelodeon's 2008 Kids' Choice Awards in Westwood, California.
2008
Joe Kohen via Getty Images
Performing on ABC's "Good Morning America" in New York City.
2008
Jon Kopaloff via Getty Images
With Jermaine Dupri at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Party in Beverly Hills.
2008
Stephen Lovekin via Getty Images
With Jermaine Dupri at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala in New York City.
2008
Todd Williamson Archive via Getty Images
At Alexander McQueen's Los Angeles flagship store launch party in Los Angeles.
2008
Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images
At the Cartier Charity love bracelet launch in Los Angeles.
2008
Neilson Barnard via Getty Images
At the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Hollywood.
2008
Venturelli via Getty Images
At an Uomo Vogue 40th anniversary celebration party in Milan.
2008
Jeff Vinnick via Getty Images
Performing in the first show of her "Rock Witchu" tour at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
2008
Astrid Stawiarz via Getty Images
With Jermaine Dupri at Dupri's 36th birthday party in New York City.
2009
Christopher Polk via Getty Images
Performing during the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.
2009
Venturelli via Getty Images
At the Giorgio Armani fashion show in Milan.
2009
Brian Rasic via Getty Images
At Jingle Bell Ball in London.
2009
Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
Performing onstage at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles.
2009
Vittorio Zunino Celotto via Getty Images
At an amfAR Milan Fashion Week event in Milan.
2009
Rahav Segev via Getty Images
At a Ralph Lauren fashion show in New York City.
2010
Danny Martindale via Getty Images
Sitting front row at a Pringle Of Scotland fashion show in London, England.
2010
Johnny Nunez via Getty Images
Performing at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
2010
Steve Mack via Getty Images
At the Halloween Extravaganza at Lanvin boutique in New York City.
2010
Stephen Lovekin via Getty Images
At the premiere of "For Colored Girls" at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City.
2010
Theo Wargo via Getty Images
At the premiere of "Why Did I Get Married Too?" in New York City.
2010
Jon Furniss via Getty Images
At a preview screening of "Why Did I Get Married Too?" in London.
2010
Charles Eshelman via Getty Images
At the 20th annual Women of the Year awards hosted by Glamour Magazine in New York City.
2010
Michel Dufour via Getty Images
With Roberto Cavalli at the Roberto Cavalli 40th anniversary party in Paris, France.
2011
ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images
Performing onstage during her concert at Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition.
2011
JOE KLAMAR via Getty Images
Speaking during the 19th Life Ball in Vienna, Austria.
2011
Mike Marsland via Getty Images
At amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS Gala in Antibes, France.
2011
David Wolff - Patrick via Getty Images
Performing at L'Olympia in Paris, France.
2012
Ben Gabbe via Getty Images
At the Marco Glaviano "Supermodels" exhibition opening in New York City.
2012
Venturelli via Getty Images
At amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS gala during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cap D'Antibes, France.
2013
Mike Marsland via Getty Images
At amfAR's 20th annual Cinema Against AIDS gala in Cap d'Antibes, France.
2013
Venturelli via Getty Images
At the Versace fashion show during Milan Fashion Week in Milan.
2014
Venturelli via Getty Images
With ex-husband Wissam al Mana attend the Giorgio Armani fashion show during Milan Fashion Week in Milan.
2015
Mark Davis/BET via Getty Images
Accepting the Ultimate Icon Award onstage during the BET Awards in Los Angeles.
2015
Alexander Tamargo via Getty Images
Performing onstage during her "Unbreakable" world tour in Miami.
2015
Francois Nel via Getty Images
Performing after the Dubai World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
2017
Bryan Bedder via Getty Images
At the OUT Magazine #OUT100 Event in New York City.
2017
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images
At her State of the World Tour after party at Lure in Los Angeles.
2018
Bennett Raglin via Getty Images
Speaking onstage at the Essence 9th annual Black Women in Music at Highline Ballroom in New York City.

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