Lily Allen's stylish rise
From ballgowns and trainers to Chanel-toting yummy mummy, we chart Lily Allen's fashionable rise
WennWhen she first burst onto the music scene in 2006 with Alright, Still, Lily had already carved out a style that was all her own. Cue lashings of gold jewellery, fluoro eyeliner, Nike high-tops and 50s prom dresses.
PA PhotosPerforming on stage at 2006’s V Festival, Lily worked her personal brand of ghetto glam in a trucker cap and white bridesmaid gown – and while we were giving her a thumbs up for her style spirit, little did we know what couture tricks she had up her sleeve.
PA PhotosMiss Allen’s penchant for pretty dresses earned her so much street cred that high street mecca New Look asked her to design a range for them a couple of years later. She picked a checkered number for a performance at Get Loaded In The Park in 2006, with red peep-toe heels and a, erm, grey hoodie.
PA PhotosWell, hello there. With a killer tan and glossy black locks, the outspoken singer attended the 2006 GQ Awards in what was to be the first of (very, very), many Chanel frocks.
PA PhotosBut if you thought you’d seen the last of the sneakers, you were wrong. And, while Lily went back to her old game by pairing them with a polka-dot dress and bow ribbon headband as she promoted her single LDN, we were left wishing she’d up the fashion ante again.
PA PhotosFilming the video for her single Littlest Things saw Lily scrubbing up in this cute denim bustier dress complete with Christian Louboutin peep-toe heels.
PA PhotosChan-ello! Having caught the eye of fashion force Karl Lagerfeld, Lily was invited to sit front row at the Chanel spring/summer 2007 show at Paris Fashion Week – and accordingly, wore one of the house’s monochrome marvels, cinched in with a figure-flattering black ribbon detail.
PA PhotosLily’s a firm GLAMOUR.com favourite, thanks in no small part to her confidence in her style. Check out this bold print dress (yes, paired with trainers again) that she wore to a charity event at the end of 2006.
PA PhotosFast forward a couple of months and Lily’s penchant for killer red carpet wear is beginning to show through. At the 2007 BRIT Awards, she opted for this teal satin dress, peep-toe Christian Louboutin heels and girly ringlets.
PA PhotosShe might be a couture queen on the red carpet, but we love Lily’s off-duty garb in equal measure. This pairing of baggy boyfriend jeans and ankle-strap wedges sent the GLAMOUR.com girls rooting through our byofriends' wardrobes.
PA PhotosCelebrities-turned-fashion-designers always arouse suspicion (Katie Price’s equestrian wear, anyone?), but thankfully, Lily’s collaboration with New Look, Lily Loves, turned out to be a range of total must-haves, featuring Spanish-influenced flamenco dresses and printed tunics.
PA PhotosPerforming with fashion legend and all-round arbiter of cool Debbie Harry would have some of us quaking in our biker boots; not so Lily, who plumped for this cutesy candy-striped sundress with white wedges and Wayfarers for an NBC concert in 2007. *We'd actually completely forgotten about this outfit but we've made a note to copy it if and when the sun ever comes out again.
PA PhotosLily matched her newest obsession – fuchsia pink lipstick – to her dress for her stint on stage at 2007’s Glastonbury festival.
PA PhotosSimple red and white got Lil a Grade A for colour co-ordination, in her red pumps, Ray-Bans, head band and simple striped dress. The finishing touch? An oversized tote to keep the look from being too matchy-matchy.
PA PhotosLily earned herself a picture perfect 10 out of 10 for this look; eschewing accessories in favour of letting the dress (and those fierce shoes) do the talking, she sported a voluminously skirted Luella number for the designer's spring/summer 2008 show.
PA PhotosLily showed up for a dinner at London’s swish Nobu restaurant in this unusual get-up. While boiler suits are big news for 2013, unfortunately this little ensemble was lost on us back in 2009.
PA PhotosWith her shock of neon hair and this baby pink ‘butter-wouldn’t-melt’ Giles prom dress, it looked like it was Lily’s moment as she attended our 2008 Women of the Year ceremony to pick up her Editor’s Special Award. On closer inspection, though, the dress featured illustrations of decapitated Bambis.
PA PhotosLily headed out to Dubai for a hotel opening later that year in a gorgeous, electric blue floor-length gown, complete with A-list worthy jewels.
Bigpicturesphoto.comThe jury is out on this metallic maxidress worn by Lily Allen. Yes she pulls it off, but would anyone else? Be honest, ladies...
PA PhotosHmm. In principle, this was an edgy look – the leopard print coat, grey tights and green boots Lily chose for an night out at the Groucho club had all the makings of an über-cool outfit, but somehow ended up looking more Band Of Gold than bang on-trend.
PA PhotosThe short bob is all new (and we likey likey), but let's not forget to mention the togs. Sporting boyfriend jeans and a most excellent green suede jacket, Lily's look was bright white hot!
PA PhotosThis look was one of our favourites: Her 60s fringe had sex kitten stamped all over it, and the bold lipstick and glittery eye make-up were enough to make David Bowie jealous. Favouring blacks and metallics, this new incarnation of Lily Allen was a real fashion force to be reckoned with.
PA PhotosCementing her style icon status, Lily added some seriously unexpected twists – long, screen siren gloves and a classic diamond bracelet – to a simple sweater and jeans.
PA PhotosProving that she fully deserved her gig as the face of Chanel, Lily worked this sheer Chanel Resort gown on the red carpet with glossy black extensions and some seriously blinging baubles.
PA PhotosLily got down in the hay in this glittering, feathered Chanel mini dress and über-cool stocking tights as she performed a live set at the fashion house’s spring/summer 2010 show during Paris Fashion Week. Talk about making the big time...
PA PhotosDebuting her new shag hairstyle at an awards ceremony, Lily stuck to trusty monochrome for her red carpet moment in a pocketed Chanel dress and YSL heels.
PA PhotosCool leopard print got an even cooler twist courtesy of this sequin Ashish dress, which Lily wore with her fave Chanel tights for a gig in London.
PA PhotosClutching her BRIT, a new, even more sophisticated Lily came to the fore, courtesy of a sleek, collared LBD and a structured bob.
PA PhotosIt might be Chanel (what else?), but the GLAMOUR.com girls still weren’t sure about the gothic gown that Lily sported on arrival for the 2010 BRIT Awards ceremony.
Rex FeaturesLeather and lace? How very on-trend! Lily worked the biggest looks of the season as she performed later in the evening at the 2010 BRIT Awards.
PA PhotosVintage lace and a babydoll cut gave Lily a girly edge as she rocked up to the 2010 NME Awards sporting an ultra-pretty up-do and chic suede heels.
Rex FeaturesAs unpredictable as ever, Lily wowed fans in this stunning, vintage-inspired cream gown at the Ivor Novello Awards in London – 50s flicks of eyeliner and a full red pout completed this perfect look.
Wenn...Then it was over to the dark side in a black, belted maxi with lavish balloon sleeves for our Women Of The Year Awards in 2010. Lily scooped Solo Artist of the Year – as voted for by GLAMOUR readers – for the success of It’s Not You, It’s Me.
Rex FeaturesWith Lily’s love of vintage such a prominent facet of her style, it was only natural that the singer should turn it into a business. Having opened tightly-edited store Lucy In Disguise with her sister Sarah Owen in September 2011, Lily Allen stepped out in this ultra-feminine green dress and sequinned bolero to launch the own-line Lucy In Disguise collection in May 2011.
PA PhotosHaving made no secret of her wish to settle down, it’s little wonder that Lily was positively beaming in this candid snap of her emerging from the church with her new husband, Sam Cooper, that June. The bride wore a vintage-inspired Delphine Manivet dress and Rupert Sanderson shoes – and announced that she was hiding a baby bump under the swathes of lace. Aw!
Rex FeaturesLily kept a low profile during her pregnancy – but made an exception for the Louis Vuitton menswear show in Paris, for which she cut a sharp, 60s silhouette in a leopard print mini dress with tights, a swing coat and lashings of eyeliner.
And here's the look in profile. Staying faithful to her dear Chanel - at a Dior show - Lily's monochrome look is sleek and elegant.
PA PhotosIt was a style that was to serve our girl well as her pregnancy progressed. Her choice of mini dress dress for the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup Final in July was a super on-trend starry number by Dolce & Gabbana.
PA PhotosLooking fresh-faced in the glow of her pregnancy, Lily wore this super cute metallic mini and cardigan ensemble.
WennFast forward to March 2012, and Lily enjoyed her first night out in London following the birth of her first daughter Ethel Mary. Her gorgeous faux fur, in-your-face heels and flash of lace bra hinted at the fact that she wasn't quite ready to hang up her style crown just yet.
PA PhotosBut fast-forward again to the summer of 2012 and the new mother has some very exciting news; she was pregnant with her second baby. Showing that she had the maternity style thing down pat already, Lily attended our annual Woman Of The Year Awards in 2012 in a punchy red dress and polka dotted coat.
Rex FeaturesAfter welcoming their second daughter, baby Marnie, at the very beginning of 2013, Lily and husband Sam Cooper attended a charity bash looking every-inch the stylish couple. Meanwhile, we were totally coveting Lily's awesome 60s-inspired hair and make-up.
Rex FeaturesAnd news quickly spread that Lil was heading for a musical comeback, too, which was confirmed when the singer took to the stage again - at Paris Fashion Week no less - in a gorgeous printed frock.
Rex FeaturesBut at the 2013 Ivor Novello Awards, Lily's fashion fearlessness led into unchartered brown-caped waters. Whilst the hair and beauty was, as ever, spot-on, we felt like the ensemble swamped the singer's tiny frame.
PA PhotosBut come September at a Martini event in Italy, Lily was back to her best, taking to the red carpet in this floor-length shimmering gown.
It's November 2013 and Lily Allen was well and truly back. In the video for her comeback single Hard Out Here, the London-born singer's video was released to a slew of criticism but we loved it. Plus, this metallic trench with 90s high-rise ponytail is totally awesome.
PAIt's January 2014 and Lily's headed to the front row at Chanel's Haute Couture show in Paris. We heart the bright check coat and girly accessories teamed with black leather trousers and fierce heels.
Rex FeaturesShowing off her post-baby bod to full effect on a night out in London town, Lily wore a stylish trouser and top ensemble alongside her statement fringe and a chic up-do. Beaut!
Getty ImagesLily Allen continued her fashion comeback apace this week, stepping out in a gorgeous mint green biker jacket which was accessorised with an azure blue Chanel bag - natch!
Getty ImagesThere's nothing quite like a statmeent leopard print coat to take an outfit from nice to sensational in seconds. We're definitely copying Lily this season by throwing ours over a little white dress for instant summer chic
Rex FeaturesFor a Chanel beauty launch in London in April 2014, Lily's back to her best in gorgeous grass green tweed shift from the brand.
So, there you have it; the rise and rise of Style Queen Lily Allen.
Looking pretty drop dead gorgeous on our June cover. Lily opens up about her musical comeback, motherhood and the industry.
GLAMOUR's June issue is out on the 5th of May
Rex FeaturesWorking a different hairstyle for a night out at celeb hotspot Chiltern Firehouse in London, Lily set off her new flame red 'do with a long mesh top.
PAJoining Miley Cyrus on the US leg of her Bangerz tour, Lily Allen put her enviable curves to work in a silver catsuit.
Rex FeaturesLily then had a quick costume change into this rainbow sequinned USA shift dress.
Getty ImagesAt the presentation of MAC's "Art of the Lip" in Germany, Lily Allen rocked an eye-catching candyfloss satin floor length skirt with an embroidered shirt.
PA PhotosLily wore a denim dress and clashing lime green bag and pink locks for the Pan movie world premiere.
