The Super Bowl is a great excuse to be up to your elbows in chicken wings, nachos, and rounds of beer, but it's also a perfect opportunity to ogle at some amazing fashion. I'm talking about the Super Bowl halftime outfits, of course, rather than the fans in the stands who will be decked out in their best blues or oranges.
Over the years, we've had mega star after mega star perform on stage, bringing their unique style and flavor onto the field and into our TVs. Whether they looked like pop royalty in sweeping gowns or impeccably tailored suits, like they walked through a glitter bomb and made it through the other side bedazzled, or brought their best '90s A-Game to the show, one thing we're usually never feeling when the players jog off the field is disappointment.
And seeing how it's the Super Bowl's 50th anniversary this year, we can assume Feb. 7's halftime show is going to do its best to blow our minds. As we eagerly await to see what's in store for us in a couple of hours as we get the chips and bean dips ready, let's look back and see which stars have dazzled us throughout the past couple of decades. Below are 11 of the best Super Bowl halftime show outfits of all time.
1. *NSYNC Taking Fashion To A New Level
Fruit Roll-Up-material jackets, corduroy flares with patches sewn onto the pockets, sandblasted denim, and color-themed tie-dye: When *NSYNC got on stage during the 2001 Super Bowl, they all brought the best of the '90s bangers with them.
2. Janet Jackson's Boob-y Outfit
Boob or no boob, Janet Jackson's 2004 halftime outfit was pretty fire. The pants resembled couture bloomers — topped with Victorian style lace-up boots — and the top had this Fabio-slash-pirate thing happening. To which I ask: Does that come in a size 10? I'm asking for a friend.
3. Katy Perry's Beach Ball Dress
Nothing likely makes you think "Teenage Dream" more than a flippy, flirty little left shark dress from 2015 that looks like a beach ball. Adorbs. How has the fast fashion world not come out with its own version yet?
4. LMFAO's "Gladiators At A College Party" Look
When Madonna performed in 2012 and decided on a gladiator party theme, LMFAO was only too willing to oblige — with a few tweaks. Those tweaks being clashing animal prints and superhero capes, obviously. The end result? Basically what would happen if you gave Lisa Frank a sword and asked it to do the shuffle. I can dig it.
5. Diana Ross Rocking One Hell Of A Barbie Dress
In 1996 Diana Ross came on stage wearing the mother of all Barbie dresses, making us seethe with envy on the carpets of our homes. Can't you just imagine your doll Theresa wearing that out on a date? I vaguely remember doing the sign of the cross in reverence to this look with my pudgy 7-year-old hands. #Kween.
6. Britney Spears' Millenium Dream Outfit
Not to be outdone by *NSYNC's outfits in the 2001 halftime show, Britney Spears rocked the stage in what could only be described as one glorious Millennium Fashion Starter Kit. You have your flared pants with the sporty racing stripe, held up by a canvas belt, paired with a rock tee belly shirt (probably cut with her own hands), and accessorized with a tube sock on her arm. Join me in this slow clap.
7. Michael Jackson Looking Like The King Of Pop He Was
Have you seen anything more gloriously Michael Jackson-y than this halftime look from 1993? Suited up with British undertones, sporting his signature white socks, and grabbing his crotch? I die.
8. Shania Twain Surviving A Glitter Bomb
In 2003, Shania Twain walked on stage wearing what could possibly be Harry Winston's whole supply. Also, babe's got belts on belts on belts, and it's completely working for her.
9. Prince Channeling His Inner Miami Papi
If Super Bowl 2007 is held in Miami, then you know Prince is going to show up to the party dressed accordingly. He looked fresh as hell in his sherbet hues and pastel accents, only missing the sassy fedora.
10. Bruno Mars Pulling Off Sequins Like It Ain't A Thang
Can Bruno Mars please come over to my house and show me how to wear my sequined blazer as effortlessly as he did in 2014?
11. Queen Bey Being Kween
Oh. My. God. That's all there is to say about Beyoncé's 2013 ensemble. It makes me want to rock my own lingerie like appropriate day-wear, too.
If I was a gambling woman, I'd say Queen Bey will likely top this list again after her 2016 performance. See you at the same time next year.
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