Eurovision’s most memorable costumes and fashion moments of all time (2024)

With Eurovision coming to Liverpool this week, we aretakinga look back at the some of the most memorable contestant costumes to hit the stage since the competition started in 1956.

Whileperformers now tend to opt for looks that scream 'I'm a glamorous pop star', there have been plenty of brilliant of-their-time fashion moments from decades past that we can still appreciate today.

From Olivia Newton-John in a tulle prairie dress to Lulu in a pink miniskirtandABBA making their mark in futuristic neon satin skirts and cropped trousers.

Best Eurovision fashion moments

Bucks Fizz (1981)

Bucks Fizz became known for their fun performances. The British group'sfemale stars, Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston, famously, energetically ripped offtheir midi skirts duringMaking Your Mind Upto reveal shorter skater skirts underneath.

Laura Valenzuela (1969)

Spanish TV presenterLaura Valenzuela wore a stylish white lace jumpsuit in 1969.Valenzuela's suit featured a belted waist, long scalloped sleeves and a high neck, all very of-the-moment.

ABBA (1974)

Swedish sensation ABBA made their debutat Eurovision in 1974, with the hit songWaterloo.Known for their brightand slightly futuristicoutfits, the group won the contest (and our hearts) with their blue, orange and silver looks.

Tessa Beaumont (1961)

Tessa Beaumont, pictured alongside 1961 winner Jean-Claude Pascal, performed the interval dance act and was later pictured with Pascal wearing a simple yet chic v-necked dress with a dropped pleated waist.

Olivia Newton-John(1974)

Olivia Newton-John made her Eurovision debut in 1974, four years before Greasehit bigscreens, wearing a baby blue prairie dress with ruffled sleeves and a tiered hem.

Lulu (1969)

Lulu won the 1969 Eurovision contest with her performance of Boom Bang-a-Bang.She also won a place in our hearts that year with her electric pink fashion choice.

A lover of the miniskirt, Lulu sported a flower adorned version of the new trend on stage with hot pink heels.

Isabelle Aubret (1963)

In 1963 French singer Isabelle Aubret wore a floral shirt dress for her performance. The rose printed frock featured ashirt collar with a curved edge, belted waist and was cut-off at the shoulders.

Isgaard Marke (2003)

German classical singer Isgaard Marke wore a gold gown during her performance in 2003. The a-line dress featured a deep neckline, gold detailing and a tulle backing, which attached to her fingers and moved as she moved.

Natalia Vodianova(2009)

Presenters have slightly more leeway with their outfits and tend to opt for more serious, stylish choices. Supermodel Natalia Vodianova wore a feather and tulle lilac dress in 2009, when the Eurovision was hosted in her home country,Russia.

Dana(1984)

One of the highlights of Eurovision is the special guest artist. In 1984 past winner Dana was asked to perform.

The Irish star wore a floor length dress with pleated hem and an embellished shoulder strap.

Conchita Wurst (2014)

Who could forget Austrian contestantConchita Wurst? The singer won in 2014 with the song Rise like a Phoenix, aptly performed in a gold dress with a belted waist. The lace covered frock kicked into afishtail silhouetteatthe knees.

Sandie Shaw(1967)

Sandie Shaw wore a shift dress for her Eurovision performance in 1967. The singer, who wore a chic shimmering tulle dress with pearl embellishment on the neck, hem and arms,went on to win the contest that year.

Lena Valaitis (1992)

Lena Valaitis opted for an embellished blackand silver skirt, with a longer tulle half-skirt that sat at the back. For her performance in 1992 Valaitis paired the starry piece with a black v-neck top.

Pearl Carr (1959)

There have been many floral moments at Eurovision over the years, from headpieces to one group whose microphones were hidden in a bunch of white roses.

Our favourites tend to be of the dress variety, like Peal Carr's floral brocade frock.

Ksenia Zhuk (2017)

Ksenia Zhuk's off-white broderie anglaise dress featured afull skirt, blush pink undertones and a fitted waist in 2017. The singer wore her hair in loose ringlets, addingto the bohemian feel of her look.

Fusedmarc (2017)

Lithuanian performer Fusedmarc proved thatdramatic dress can still be stylish in 2017, in a bright red floor length dress, with a high neck, fitted waist and flowing skirt.

Polina Gagarina (2015)

Over the yearsthe contest has seen numerous participants sport shining numbers, but Polina Gagarina's delicate white iteration from the 2015 contest is a favourite.

Loreen (2012)

‘Euphoria’ was a big win for Sweden in 2012 and singer Loreen’s simple but effective wind machine enhanced performance was amplified by the beautiful yellow kimono she wore over a black jumpsuit.

Dana International (1998)

Dana International’s fabulous feathery dress was from the 1997 Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture collection. She won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998 and was the first transgender woman to do so.

Kate Miller-Heidke (2019)

Australia’s Kate Miller-Heidke performed her song "Zero Gravity" in 2019, in a dress that was fit for a princess, all whilst swaying back and forth mid-air attached to a pole.

Elina Nechayeva (2018)

2018 Estonia representative Elina Nechayeva’s mesmerising dress was 52m squared and had animations projected on it.

Maneskin (2021)

Italian 2021 winners Maneskin have since gone on to work with major fashion brands including Gucci and played Coachella in April of this year. They took to the Eurovision stage in full glam rock attire, from another Italian designer brand, Etro.

Eleni Foureira (2018)

Eleni Foureira’s passionate performance of Fuegoto represent Cyprus at Eurovision in 2018 would not have been complete without her fiery catsuit and voluminous curls.

Aliona Moon (2013)

In 2013, Moldovan singer Aliona Moon’s dress grew to 4m tall during her performance, with projections turning the material into apparent flames.

Verka Serduchka (2007)

Any Eurovision fan will know Verka Serduchka’s ‘Dancing Lasha Tumbai’, Ukraine’s entry in 2007 which scored second place. The military inspired performance was camp to the extreme, with Serduchka’s outfit covered in silver sequins from star topped head to glittery toe.

This article has been updated with the latest information ahead of Eurovision 2023.

Related Topics

• Eurovision,
• Pop music