Melanie Martinez is a young and talented musician and singer who started their way on the music ladder in 2012 after appearing on the American television vocal talent show The Voice. She already managed to conquer the hearts and souls of thousands of people around the whole globe. As a fashion and beauty blogger, I adore not only Melanie`s talent but their fashion style.
Melanie’s Style: 2012-2015 Era
Melanie Martinez's style is based on a casual Lolita fashion and inspired by the latest trends from runway shows. Their aesthetic artfully blends the sweetness of pastel hues with the rebellious edge of dark grunge elements. This foundation is playfully amplified through a profusion of charming details: delicate bows, whimsical hair clips, intricate lace, and their signature tattoos. Their ever-evolving hairstyles could be a subject all their own, yet their most recognizable look remains the striking half-black, half-white Cruella de Vil-esque color scheme.
Melanie Martinez’s During the 2015-2019 Era
During their Cry Baby (2015) and K-12 (2019) eras, spanning roughly from 2016 to 2020, Melanie Martinez solidified a distinct and recognizable style that built upon their initial aesthetic. This period saw a deeper immersion into a "creepy-cute" or "pastel goth" aesthetic, heavily influenced by Victorian-era children's clothing, babydoll silhouettes, and a touch of dark, surreal elements.
- Exaggerated Babydoll Dresses: Often featuring ruffles, lace, Peter Pan collars, and pastel colors, these dresses were a staple. They often had a vintage or slightly theatrical feel.
- Playful Accessories: Oversized bows (especially in their signature two-toned hair), chunky Mary Janes, knee-high socks with frills, and whimsical jewelry like pacifiers, baby blocks, and toy-inspired pieces were prominent.
- Contrasting Elements: The sweetness of the pastel clothing and childlike accessories was often juxtaposed with darker makeup (think bold eyeliner and dark lipstick), tattoos, and sometimes more edgy footwear like platform boots. This created the signature "creepy-cute" balance.
- The Iconic Hair: Their half-and-half dyed hair, most famously black and white, remained a defining feature. It often incorporated blunt bangs and was styled in pigtails or with voluminous curls, frequently adorned with large bows.
- Themed Outfits: Melanie's fashion choices strongly correlated with the narratives and visuals of their albums and music videos. The Cry Baby era vibed childlike, damaged feel, reflecting the creepy themes of the album. The K-12 era saw a more uniform-inspired look with a twisted schoolgirl vibe, aligning with the album's concept.
- Doll-Like Makeup: Their makeup often emphasized large, doe eyes with heavy eyeliner and lashes, paired with a defined lip, often in a dark or pastel shade.
While the core elements remained consistent, there was a noticeable evolution between the Cry Baby and K-12 eras. The K-12 style incorporated more structured pieces, like pleated skirts and cardigans, while still retaining the signature playful and slightly unsettling undertones.
Littlebodybigheart Now: 2019-2025...
Later, she entered their After School EP Era, shifting towards more abstract and less literal interpretations of these themes. While still retaining some whimsical elements, their style incorporated more flowing fabrics, softer textures, and a slightly more muted color palette compared to the vibrant K-12 era.
Subtle nods to nature and the mystical began to appear, perhaps foreshadowing their later Portals era. This could be seen in the use of earthier tones or more organic shapes in Melanie's clothing and accessories. Her iconic two-toned hair (though sometimes styled differently), bows, and unique makeup continued to be present, acting as anchors to her established visual identity.
- Complete Transformation into a Faerie Creature:
Now, it is hard to call the artist by their old name, as she has completed the transformation, turning into a real-life butterfly, or more faerie-like creature. Melanie Martinez fully embodied a new, otherworldly persona, featuring elaborate prosthetics, intricate face and body paint in vibrant colors (often pinks, blues, and greens), and fantastical, nature-inspired costumes.
Their clothing and accessories during this time drew heavily from the natural world, with textures resembling bark, moss, and flowing water. Silhouettes became less defined by traditional garments and more by the character's fantastical form.
- Loss of Recognizable "Melanie" Elements:
While the artistic vision remained distinctly theirs, many of their previous signature elements, such as the two-toned hair and overt Lolita influences, were integrated into the creature's design or completely replaced to fully immerse themselves in the new persona.
Wrap Up...
It is hard to determine Melanie Martinez`s fashion style; some people argue that she is a pastel goth icon, and some say she is a child of grunge-goth and Lolita. The only thing I know for sure is that Melanie is a real fashion icon and inspires with their style and music with many people. All their outfits and cute as hell and truly feminine. She is one of the most popular, talented, and interesting artists on stage. Wondering how to get their makeup look?
Please don’t forget to check out my simple step-by-step makeup tutorial inspired by Melanie Martinez and learn how to create their iconic makeup look. Thank you so much for reading. I'll talk to you very soon, crybabies! Do you like Melanie Martinez’s style?
Liz
