A guide to Bella Hadid’s internet-breaking street-style

From classic model-off-duty to sports LA style, and Y2K fashion it-girl

Hero image in post
Hero image in post

From classic model-off-duty to sports LA style, and Y2K fashion it-girl

By Hannah Bertolino31 May 2022
4 mins read time
4 mins read time

Besides Bella Hadid, not many people hold the power to make an article of clothing sell out completely online after stepping outside. However, the supermodel, Insta-baddie, wellness drink CEO, and fashion muse – who rose rapidly to success after signing to IMG models in 2014 and making her runway debut at Tom Ford’s AW15 show in New York – has come a long way since appearing alongside fellow supermodel and sister Gigi on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with their mum, Yolanda Hadid (yes, she was also a former supermodel).

Today – when she’s not turning out sexy Burberry wench looks at the Met Gala, posing for Heaven by Marc Jacobs, or conjuring a streak of archival Versace looks on the Cannes red carpet – Bella remains as one of fashion’s favourite street style icons, launching trends into existence and redefining styles we’ve already seen.

Since her 2014 modelling debut, however, her style has gone through a series of changes – from her classic model-off-duty era to sporting Los Angeles-style crop tops and Jordan trainers; sleek tailoring in New York; post-runway Parisian looks; and self-styled, DIY ensembles. Look back on the supermodel’s internet-breaking street-style evolution below.

Model-off-duty beginnings - 2016

Much like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, who also got their starts in modelling around 2014, Bella opted for the classic model-off-duty look early on in her career. Fave items from this era include but aren't limited to: leather trousers or bootcut jeans, baby tees, dramatic chokers, square-toed leather boots, oversized jackets, big ray-ban sunglasses, high-waisted denim skirts, big leather bags... the list goes on.

Sporty LA style - 2017

No one can forget Bella Hadid’s infamous Complex trainers video, but TBH, Hadid has always been known to excel in the footwear department. Around 2017, she switched to a sportier look – wearing a black, matching Nike set post-workout or a cream-coloured sports bra with baggy white trousers, white Nike trainers, and a sleek bun around New York City. In the viral trainers video, however, the model paired her red and white Nike Air Jordan x Off-White trainers with ripped up dad jeans, a black cut-out tank, a yellow Off-White belt, and a Chanel choker for a laid-back LA girl look. If homeboy turns up in those, homeboy's gonna like… get it.

Parisian post-runway lewks - 2018

Toning down her look and dipping into 90s archive fashion, Hadid was spotted on the streets of Paris in 2018 wearing a vintage Chanel jumper dress, tiny black sunglasses, and knee-high Fendi boots. Around 2018, as the world began its obsession with 90s fashion, Bella pioneered the trend – sporting luxury logos, baguette bags, and oversized leather jackets.

In her tailoring era - 2018

Leaning into 2018’s streetwear trends, Bella was often snapped in oversized, heavily-tailored pieces around 2018 – from blazers with shoulder pads to pin-striped matching separates, oversized suit trousers, and tiny cropped tops. In terms of accessories, her sunglasses got smaller, trainers became chunkier, and hair was usually in a cool, slicked back bun.

Fashion it-girl - 2020

Just before the pandemic hit, Bella showed off a high-fashion version of her style at Paris Fashion Week. Leaning away from streetwear, the model began opting for bolder, it-girl looks – from denim-on-denim Balenciaga cargo suits to androgynous silhouettes, colourful bucket hats, and baby tees.

Eclectic trend-setter - 2021

Not even Bella Hadid was spared from the lockdown’s colourful hair dye trends. As the supermodel dyed two-toned orange e-girl strands into her hair, her style took a turn towards more casual, eclectic looks – often reaching for independent brands instead of major names. Meanwhile, 2021 also saw Hadid dive into iconic Y2K trends like low-waisted trousers, slinky crop tops, tiny cardigans, and graphic baby tees that have since taken over Gen Z fashion.

DIY girl style - 2022

Today, besides creating major fashion statements on red carpets and runways, Bella has polished off her style – mixing up Y2K and looming 2010s trends with unconventional accessories like cute braids, thin glasses frames, exposed thongs, mesh crocheted tops, and fingerless gloves. What’s next? Stay tuned.