Style Evolution: Whitney Houston

We get so emotional when we look back at Whitney Houston's career. The songs, the performances, the outfits, the shoulder pads! She was a true '80's icon. Click through to see Whitney's best and worst looks throughout the years.

Ron Galella, WireImage | Bennett Raglin, WireImage

Los Angeles, February 25, 1986
Whitney poses with her Grammy award backstage in 1986. Her bright sky blue gown is kind of chic--especially for the '80's.

Ron Galella, WireImage

Chicago, August 30, 1986
Whitney performs live in a white and silver pantsuit, not to mention some Cinderella-like clear heels. Who knew those skinny pants would eventually make a comeback?

Paul Natkin, WireImage

Hollywood, 1987
At the '87 Grammy Awards, Whitney wore a wide-shouldered top with a petal-fringed bottom.

Jim Smeal, WireImage

Los Angeles, January 25, 1988
Whitney Houston brightened up the American Music Awards in rainbow-colored satin.

Ron Galella, WireImage

Washington D.C., March 8, 1990
Whitney wore a floor-length white wrap dress to the United Negro College Fund dinner in 1990.

Ron Galella, WireImage

Los Angeles, May 16, 1991
Whitney goes hardcore at a concert in '91. Her sparkly top was, shall we say, see-through, and her tight pants-and-ankle-boots combo brings us back to the decade.

Ron Galella, WireImage

October 15, 1992
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown announce their engagement in matching hats. We know how this ends...

L. Cohen, WireImage

Los Angeles, December 8, 1993
Whitney sees red at the Billboard Music Awards. Her head-to-toe lace ensemble looks ridiculous now, but we have a sneaking suspicious it was perceived as red-hot back then.

Ron Galella, WireImage

Los Angeles, 1995
Bobby and Whitney (and a young Bobby Christina) make their way through LAX airport. Whitney wears funky glasses, bright white sneaks, and tapered jeans (which would be forever known as "mom jeans" after their heyday in the '80's).

Jim Smeal, WireImage