Charli XCX Continues to Defy Predictability in Music and Fashion

Charli XCX has proven herself to be an artist who defies predictability in her music. With three distinct projects released over the past two years, she has taken fans on a journey from the high-energy Y2K rave-inspired sounds of Brat (2024) to the gothic electro-pop of Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights (2026), and most recently, to the introspective Music, Fashion, Film tour.

In contrast to her musical experimentation, Charli XCX has maintained a consistent fashion aesthetic since around the time of the Brat rollout. Her signature style is characterized by a raw, grungy blend of archival fashion pieces, East London thrift store finds, and everyday essentials worn repeatedly.

When discussing her approach to fashion, she reveals that she has little interest in reinventing herself with each new album cycle. "The idea of dressing up and becoming a new person each album doesn't feel super appealing to me," she says from Las Vegas, where she spoke with stylist Chris Horan on a recent call.

Charli XCX's music is deeply rooted in reality, and as such, her on-stage wardrobe has taken on a more authentic tone for the Music, Fashion, Film Tour. The singer, known for experimenting with different personas and styles in previous albums, has shifted towards a more genuine approach to fashion.

To incorporate this authenticity into her tour wardrobe, XCX's stylist, Chris Horan, turned to second-hand shopping, a practice that aligns with her existing values. This unconventional sourcing method allowed them to breathe new life into classic pieces, such as reimagining an early-2000s bedazzled top as a dress.

Horan's refresh of XCX's classic grungy style has been evident in various performances throughout the tour, including a show in Los Angeles where she paired ripped tees with RM Leather gloves. Even her recent appearance at the Academy Museum Gala after party featured a black Roberto Cavalli minidress that made an encore on stage in Austin City Limits.

Charli XCX's fashion choices have been a highlight of her recent music, film, and fashion tour. Her style has included a Vinted find that made an appearance on stage in Austin City Limits after being purchased from a seller who had previously attended several of her shows.

The pop star describes how she wears clothes in her everyday life, opting for pre-loved pieces rather than new ones. This approach is reflected in the way she styles outfits, often pairing vintage finds with more recent additions to her wardrobe. Her personal thrifting habits are described as "chaotic and time-consuming.

XCX admits that she struggles with shopping in groups, preferring to take a slow and methodical approach when searching for new pieces. Whether online or in-store, she requires a significant amount of time to browse through racks and try on items.

Horan's approach is quite different from Charli XCX's, as he tends to rely on instinct when thrifting for looks. This method can be beneficial for a stylist, given his job requires quick thinking and adaptability.

The contrast between their approaches has led some to wonder if their collaboration is always this seamless. However, Horan describes their working relationship as really easy, citing the trust that exists between them as a key factor in their success.

Charli XCX also acknowledges the importance of trust in their partnership, stating that she gives her stylist so much freedom" to bring his own ideas to the table while still maintaining a strong vision herself.

The disagreements between Charli XCX and her stylist Chris Horan have been centered around which items to sell on Vinted as part of their next venture.

Their latest endeavor involves opening up a curated selection of tour looks, second-hand finds from Horan's collection, and vintage tees from XCX's closet on the platform. This decision marks a cyclical approach to fashion, where everything is given new life through resale.

The partnership between XCX and Horan has been built on trust, with both parties making decisions together and respecting each other's vision.