Kim Kardashian's Style Evolution: Before And After Kanye West

She's ditched the bodycon dresses and tacky hair extensions in favour of beautiful Balmain and classic co-ords.

Reality star and breaker of the internet Kim Kardashian always makes a statement when it comes to fashion.

Kim Kardashian has changed a lot since 2007 [Getty]

Many of her fans have noticed a dramatic change in her style over the years and the 34-year-old has revealed that her transformation is down to none other than her husband, Kanye West.

Kim admitted that when she and Kanye started dating three years ago, the rapper threw out her entire wardrobe and brought in a team of fashion stylists to update her look.

‘I think he probably thought they were a bit cheesy,’ Kim told Love magazine. 

Kimye have even started dressing alike [Getty]

‘I’d never spent time in London or Paris or seen what style was like around the world, so he wanted to bring in stylists to update my look. And they brought in things like snakeskin that I’d never seen before.’

The mum-of-one reckons fashion guru Kanye has made her love fashion ‘so much more’ thanks to his image overhaul and you can’t deny the effect his discerning eye has had on Kim’s wardrobe.

THEN AND NOW

Oscars – 2009 & 2014
While Kim has never had an invite to the Oscars themselves, she’s been to her fair share of viewing parties. 

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The difference over these five years is pretty astounding. Last year, Kim wore a stunning red Celia Kritharioti gown with a plunging neckline and bright red lip. Gone are the jet-black extensions, gold hoops and nondescript nude accessories. And that belt. Oh dear. 

MTV VMAS – 2011 & 2014

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Bling and glitz were Kim’s signatures BK (Before Kanye) as you can tell with this shimmering silver gown, sparkling oversized jewels and long black extensions. Fast forward to 2014 and Kim’s flashing just as much if not more flesh but this time it’s neatly encased in Balmain, as designed by her best mate Olivier Rousteing. 

Grammys – 2011 & 2015

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To the untrained eye, the BK and AK (After Kanye) Grammy outfits probably look quite similar. Two gold sequin dresses, plunging necklines and a fair amount of leg on show. But the outfits are worlds apart in the style stakes. While 2011’s slash dress wouldn’t look out of place in a Vegas show, this year’s Jean Paul Gaultier Couture bronze gown was high fashion through and through. Kim also showed of her new shorter, sexier hair do, which only looks better when compared with 2011’s excess of extensions.

Birthday – 2010 & 2013
Every year, Kim celebrates her October birthday with a big ol’ party in Sin City – usually at TAO nightclub at The Venetian.

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In 2010, Kim’s birthday outfit was classic BK – strapless, skin-tight, blinged-up and the classic full face of make-up. For her 33rd birthday, new mum Kim has moved on to an AK classic – the matching co-ord. Her soft blonde locks and glowing tan completed the more paired down but no less striking look.

Met Gala – 2011 & 2013

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Okay so Kim wasn’t actually invited to the prestigious Met Gala until after she started dating Kanye so we didn’t have much to compare the infamous floral Givenchy number. While the world didn’t go crazy for pregnant Kim in head-to-toe florals, this was the moment that announced Kimye as a fashion couple who demanded to be taken seriously. 

Halloween – 2008 & 2013

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Kim has even upped her Halloween costume game since shacking up with Kanye. So long tacky, store-bought superhero outfits. Hello bespoke, intricate mermaid outfits!

The Kanye Effect
Kanye’s sartorial eye has completely transformed the once desperate Kim into a major player on the fashion scene.

With a burgeoning fashion career on the horizon, it’s no surprise that the 37-year-old has taken the opportunity to dish out a few words of wisdom to his wife.

Take a look at Kim’s wardrobe since they started dating in 2012 and it’s easy to see the Kanye style has a few signature rules.

Matching co-ords – Kim has been making the most of her enviable hourglass figure with a seemingly endless supply of matching, coordinating skirts and crop tops. Who said matching was boring?

Kim loves a good matching twin set. [Getty]

Coats – We couldn’t tell you a time pre-2012 when we saw Kim in a coat. But AK, statement coats have become a staple in Kim’s winter wardrobe. Max Mara, Lanvin, Celine - no one gives us winter coat envy like Kim.

Kim's coat wardrobe is the stuff dreams are made of [Getty]

Designers – Kim’s impressive collection of Herve Leger bandage dresses were given the heave ho by Kanye back in 2012 to be replaced with heavyweight designers like Chanel, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen. She’s best mates with Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing and Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci designed her bespoke wedding dress for her and Kanye’s 2014 nuptials. 

Kim Kardashian hearts Balmain BIG TIME [Getty]

Casual – Even Kim’s off-duty style has been amped up over the last three years. She’s ditched the ill fitting, washed out high street threads and ‘It’ bags in favour of classic leather jackets, high quality jeans and a selection of understated Hermes Birkin bags. 

Leather jackets, killer heels and Hermes Birkin bags are Kim's casual staples [Getty]

Natural beauty – While none of us is under the illusion that Kim ever leaves the house make-up free, there is a stark contrast between her former preference for almost drag queen amounts of slap and her more natural look. Sleek hair in a middle parting seems to have become shorthand for high fashion thanks to Kim’s new preference for simple hairstyles.

Kim's make up has gone from 'Good God!' to good girl. [Getty]

Sheer – No-one does sheer on the red carpet quite like Kim. Whether it’s on the front row at Fashion Week or attending the GQ Men of the Year Awards, Kim knows there is a sheer outfit for every occasion.

Three cheers for sheer! [Getty]

Avant-garde – Not content with dressing Kim up in all the hottest labels, Kanye has even started putting Kim in some of his own designs. The reality star was dressed head-to-toe in Yeezy couture for her husband’s show at Paris Fashion Week last week. Today brown body stockings, tomorrow…who knows?

Kim was ever the supportive wife in full on Yeezy at Paris Fashion Week [Getty]