Stevie Nicks has one of the most recognizable looks in music. Her outfits carried a whole mood: flowy, romantic, a little witchy, and layered from head to toe.
Her approach wasn’t limited to creating a certain visual appearance on stage. According to Nicks herself, all these layers of chiffon, lace, and fabrics have served as an important tool for overcoming initial stage fright because she was feeling safe being disguised by all these clothes.
Lace shawls, velvet capes- each piece had a story behind it. People still copy her style today for parties, photoshoots, or just everyday wear.
Her influence runs deep enough that Anna Sui built a full collection around her, and designers like Rodarte and Ralph Lauren have pulled from her look on the runway.
This is a look back at Stevie Nicks’ outfits that made her name, and why each one worked so well.
What Makes Stevie Nicks’ Outfits So Iconic
Her fashion mixes bohemian rock energy with soft, old-fashioned romance. You’ll see Victorian touches like lace collars and ruffles, paired with layers of chiffon and shawls that swayed with her on stage.
She stuck to dark, moody colors like black, deep purple, and burgundy, which gave everything a mysterious, feminine feel.
Every outfit was made for movement, built from fabrics that flowed and twirled. Vintage pieces mixed with handmade details made her style feel personal.
Nicks also steered clear of imitating the big names in fashion in that era. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar magazine, Nicks stated that she avoided styles created by fashion designers because she wanted to be different from other women who were dressing like Janis Joplin or Grace Slick.
Stevie Nicks’ Outfits and Margi Kent
None of this happened by accident. Stevie’s look was built with Los Angeles designer Margi Kent, whom she began working with in the mid-1970s.
The story goes that after her first tour with Fleetwood Mac, Stevie drew a stick figure in a handkerchief skirt and platform boots and told Kent she wanted to wear it on stage when she turned 60.
Kent said okay, and by the time Rumors came out, that black outfit existed.
That partnership is why her style never felt like a costume.
One of the ideas behind the look was inspired by something totally unexpected. Nicks has mentioned that at one point, she saw a woman in the crowd with the Gibson Girl hairstyle, which inspired her romantic look.
Kent kept building on it decade after decade, and it’s the reason her silhouette stayed consistent even as trends around her changed.
Stevie Nicks’ Outfits That Defined Her Style
Stevie Nicks-inspired clothing built a whole mood out of shawls, lace, and flowing black fabric. Every outfit felt like it belonged on stage and in a dream at the same time.
1. Chiffon and Lace
Chiffon and lace formed the base of almost every classic Stevie Nicks outfit.
This layered look started long before she was famous. As a young woman in the 1960s, Nicks used to shop at a vintage store in San Francisco packed with velvet, chiffon, and lace pieces, and that shop shaped the way she has dressed ever since.
That habit turned into one of the most recognizable parts of Stevie Nicks-inspired clothing today.
Pro tip: To recreate this at home, layer a sheer chiffon top over a simple slip and add lace trim at the neckline or sleeves.
2. The Sheer Black Gown
This gown is one of Stevie Nicks’ most recognized looks from her music video.
Worn while performing “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” alongside Tom Petty in 1981. The flowing black chiffon gave the look a dramatic, almost mysterious feel that matched the emotional tone of the song.
Nicks and Petty worked together on and off for years after that video, and the flowing black gown became one of the outfits people still associate with that era of her career.
Pro tip: For a similar effect without going fully sheer, try a black lace overlay dress with an opaque slip underneath.
3. Fringed Silk Shawl
The fringed silk shawl is the most copied accessory from her wardrobe.
Shawls are not a small part of her closet. Nicks has spoken about keeping a large personal collection of them, stored carefully and built up over the years, in fabrics ranging from silk to lace to knit.
It became such a defining piece of 70’s Stevie Nicks fashion that fringed shawls are now instantly tied to her name.
Pro Tip: Select a shawl that is either black, burgundy, or dark plum in color for your most authentic 70s look. You will be able to find such shawls in vintage shops or even on Etsy, where such shawls cost from $30 to $100.
4. Black Velvet Cape
The black velvet cape is probably the piece most linked to her “witchy” reputation.
Nicks has described sketching rough outfit ideas herself and handing them over for Kent to bring to life, which is part of why her capes and gowns feel so personal.
Paired with her usual layers, the cape became a symbol on its own, almost like a costume from another time.
Pro tip:Seek out a long velvet cloak with a clasped neck. Etsy, vintage costume stores, and fashion brands such as Free People can have the item, and prices range anywhere from $60-$200.
5. Pink Chiffon and Beaded Lace Dress
This dress stood out because it broke from her usual dark color palette.
It appeared in her “Stand Back” music video alongside sheer black beaded gowns and more of her signature fringed shawls. The soft pink chiffon gave the outfit a lighter, more delicate feel, while the beaded lace added texture and a bit of sparkle.
Fans often point to this dress as proof she could do romantic and pastel just as well as moody and dark.
Pro tip: Pick a dress with beading along the neckline or hem so the detail catches the light without overwhelming the outfit.
6. Gold Embroidered Gowns
For more formal or glamorous performances, like the 1987 MTV VMAs, Stevie set aside her usual black lace dresses and shawls.
She replaced it with a fitted black velvet gown covered in gold embroidery, paired with a matching hairpiece. These gowns kept her flowy, layered silhouette while adding a sheen that felt suited to bigger stages and award shows.
These looks showed a more polished side of her style, still tied to her usual shape but dressed up for the occasion.
Pro tip: Choose a gown with metallic thread detail at the sleeves or hem to get that same touch of shine without going overboard.
7. Rolling Stone’s 30 Years of Covers Exhibition Opening Look
For this 1998 event in New York City, Stevie stepped onto the red carpet in a crushed brown velvet gown paired with a matching overcoat.
The velvet gave the look weight and richness, a shift from her usual black and burgundy, while the matching overcoat kept the silhouette flowing and true to her signature layered shape.
It was a fitting outfit for the night, since Nicks and Fleetwood Mac had appeared on Rolling Stone’s cover more than once over the years.
Pro tip: For an event-ready version, look for a rich brown or chocolate velvet dress and layer a matching coat or wrap over it for the same monochromatic, put-together effect.
8. Corset Tops
Stevie borrowed a page from Victorian and Edwardian fashion with her fitted corset tops and structured bodices.
The tight waist created that hourglass shape she was known for. That contrast, structured on top, loose everywhere else, is really what made her outfits work.
It is a detail that shows up again and again across old photos and stage footage, and it is one of the easier pieces to borrow if you want to try Stevie Nicks-inspired clothing without going full costume.
Pro tip: Look for a floor-length velvet cape with a simple clasp at the neck. Etsy, vintage costume shops, and retailers like Free People often carry similar styles, usually between $60 and $200.
9. Ruffled Skirts
The one thing that defined her look is its movement.
Her ruffled and tiered skirts swirled every time she stepped or spun on stage. Maxi skirts gave her extra length without dragging the outfit down.
Uneven or layered hems added texture so even a plain skirt looked like it had a story behind it.
Pro tip: Look for a skirt with an uneven hemline or a few layers built in. You will get that same swishy movement without piling on extra pieces.
10. High-Waisted Jeans
Offstage, she kept things simple. High-waisted jeans were a go-to, usually worn with a loose, breezy blouse to keep the proportions right.
A shawl often got tossed over her shoulders, too. Boots grounded the whole outfit and made sense for someone who was always on the move.
This everyday side of her wardrobe is a good reminder that Stevie Nicks outfits were not only about the stage; her off-duty style was just as consistent.
Pro tip: Select a wide leg or slightly flared high-waist pair of jeans. Vintage Levi’s, thrift stores, and fashion labels such as Free People can be sources for the 70s style of jeans, which are usually priced starting from around $50.
11. Fingerless Gloves
Her accessories did a lot of heavy lifting. Fingerless gloves gave her a soft, romantic edge, an easy way to add texture without covering up her rings.
Wide-brimmed hats, scarves, and a stack of rings added the finishing touches to her personality, and she rarely wore just one piece of jewelry at a time.
Pro tip: If you are new to this look, start small; just a hat, a scarf, and one ring is enough. Adding everything at once can tip into costume territory fast.
12. Layered Necklaces
Along with her rings and scarves, layered necklaces were a big part of her look.
She would stack chains of different lengths, sometimes mixing thin, fine chains with chunkier pendants.
This is an easy trick to steal even today, since it turns a plain top or dress into something that feels finished.
Pro tip: Mix at least three different chain lengths so each necklace actually shows instead of bunching together in one spot.
Stevie Nicks-Inspired Clothing
As Vogue notes, Nicks employed multiple wardrobe changes during live performances, switching into a new outfit after almost every song.
Wondering how to bring this style into your everyday closet? These are a few outfit ideas based on the occasion.
| Occasion | Outfit Idea |
|---|---|
| Everyday | Flowy blouse, high-waisted jeans, boots |
| Concert | Black chiffon dress, shawl, layered jewelry |
| Festival | Lace top, maxi skirt, fringe accessories |
| Evening | Velvet cape, dark gown, statement rings |
| Casual Winter | Long cardigan, boots, scarf layers |
Pick whichever fits your day, and add one or two of her signature accessories to finish the look.
Final Thoughts
Want to try the Stevie Nicks look yourself? You don’t need to buy a whole outfit at once. Start small.
Pick one piece, a fringed shawl, a stack of mismatched rings, or a long flowy skirt, and wear it with things you already own. See how it feels before you add more.
Chances are, your closet already has a piece or two that fits this style. That black maxi dress you forgot about, or the lace top from last season.
Pull them out and pair them with something bohemian, like a wide belt or suede boots.
This look isn’t about matching everything perfectly. It’s about layering pieces you love until they feel like you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Stevie Nicks’ Style Always Boho?
Mostly yes, though she mixed in Victorian and Gothic touches too, not just one single style throughout her career.
Can I recreate 70’s Stevie Nicks Fashion on a Budget?
Yes, thrift stores are great for flowy skirts, shawls, and layered jewelry pieces that closely match her look.
What Shoes go with Stevie Nicks-Inspired Clothing?
Boots are the safest choice, though soft flats work too for a more casual, everyday version of her style.
Do I need a Corset Top to get her look?
No, a fitted blouse or wrap top gives a similar shape without requiring an actual corset.
