With the anticipated release of Lana Del Rey’s 10th studio album, “Stove,” in late January, Scarlette Magazine wanted to look back at the iconic pop star’s style progression. Coined “Gangsta Nancy Sinatra” by magazines like Rolling Stone in her early days, Del Rey’s style has evolved significantly through the years.

According to Complex Magazine, Del Rey signed with indie label “5 Points Records” in 2008, debuting under the name Lizzy Grant and releasing her first EP “Kill Kill.” Later in 2010, she released her first studio album, “Lana Del Ray.” Due to a lack of funding from the label, however, the album was pulled from stores.

In 2012, Del Rey released her second studio album titled “Born to Die” after signing with “Interscope Records,” following her DIY music video drop of “Video Games,” which went viral on YouTube.

 “Born to Die” became a Billboard hit, with multiple songs receiving platinum certifications. The album was about being young, free and in love, with inspiration pulled from Del Rey’s teenage years at boarding school. The album’s aesthetic mirrored her style at the time, featuring American flag imagery, heavy eyeliner and preppy attire.

“Ultraviolence,” Del Rey’s third studio album, came out in 2014. The album took a darker turn, emphasizing the star’s rise to fame and the dangers of addiction, inspired by her long-standing struggle with alcoholism. Channeling Priscilla Presley and old Hollywood, Del Rey represented this era with big hair, lace and pearls.

With her fourth album, “Honeymoon,” released in 2015, Del Rey continued the story of her Hollywood fame, leaning into a vintage aesthetic, displaying big sunglasses, hats and pops of red.

The singer then released her fifth studio album, “Lust for Life,” featuring notable artists like The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti and Stevie Nicks. In line with the album, Del Rey followed a 70s bohemian, flowy style of dress.

Then, we come to the fan-adored “Norman Fucking Rockwell,” released in 2019. Del Rey’s sixth album, it took its name from American painter Norman Rockwell who was a critic of the American Dream. With this album, fans saw Del Rey’s return to her Americana roots—this time, with a twist. Throughout this era, she wore Zimmermann Victorian-style dresses while on tour.

“Chemtrails over the Country Club,” her seventh studio album released in 2021, saw Del Rey focusing on femininity, God and the Midwest. She wore 60s-inspired dresses often paired with natural waves, soft makeup and her iconic sheer mask.

“Blue Bannisters,” Del Rey’s eighth album, was also released in 2021, seven months after “Chemtrails over the Country Club.” In the album, the singer explored a different part of herself, becoming a storyteller who reflected on how she was changing and discovering who she truly was. With this album, we saw the first hint of her current style, with a soft blues aesthetic and simple dresses, allowing her to fully present her maturity as an artist.

Last—but certainly not least—we have her most recent album, “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd,” released in 2023. The album followed Del Rey as she dealt with death, old memories and overwhelming visions of legacy. Once again, Del Rey wore Zimmermann dresses, following a romantic look often accessorized with bows.

In 2024, Del Rey started discussing her next studio album, which would be a country album titled “Lasso.” The year ended, and the album was never released, although she delivered a collaboration with Quavo for the single “Tough.”

The musician’s style has definitely shifted over the years, most recently to embody a southern belle. From sweetheart necklines and neutral colors to 50s-inspired silhouettes, Del Rey has come far from her original 2012 aesthetic. This change, although surprising to some, has not come without warning.

Harper’s Bazaar wrote about her shocking marriage to Louisiana alligator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene back in Sept. 2024. With his outdoorsy lifestyle and southern roots, it is possible he might have rubbed off on Lana Del Rey and pushed her to adopt a more traditional look.

Regardless of what she wears, Lana Del Rey’s music puts fans in a melodramatic haze and has them reminiscing about past love. We’re excited to see what feelings the “queen of sadness" brings out next with “Stove.”