Justin Bieber at the 2022 Grammys. (Image: Getty Images)
Happy birthday
From the iconic bangs to the buzz cut, from mom’s favorite to rebel: today the pop singer celebrates his 30th birthday. A look at his style evolution.
When you think of Justin Bieber, you always think of his hairstyle, not just his singing. In 2008, the 13-year-old Canadian from a humble background was discovered on YouTube. A year later, the EP “My World” was released, which sold 2.5 million copies. A classic rising star story that sells well. With his debut album in 2010, “Bieber fever” broke out worldwide: young girls in particular fainted in droves at his concerts.
Justin Bieber was now the most famous teenager in the world. But he also had to grow up. A look from then to now.
1. The hairstyle
Not only was he, Justin Bieber also looked like the boy next door. This was mainly due to his hairstyle, which perfectly complemented the boyish image. This “side sweep” was iconic, a pony combed to the right with loosely falling layers that ended just above the eyes. The hairstyle, which adults considered to be a strange helmet hairstyle, could no longer just be seen on him, but everywhere on the streets; worn by his fans. It had the great advantage that it could be used to conceal pubertal pimples on the forehead.
Justin Bieber with his iconic helmet hairstyle. (Image: Getty Images)
Fans, called “Beliebers,” reacted with shock to Bieber’s hair change in 2012. The 17-year-old exposed his forehead by slicking his hair up. A turning point. The hairstyle was also imitated in this country, for example by the Swiss singer Luca Hänni.
In 2012, Justin Bieber performed in a Michael Jackson-inspired outfit. He is one of Bieber’s mother’s favorite artists. (Image: Getty Images)
Like almost all teen idols, Justin Bieber also went through a rebellious phase, which had to be emphasized with a so-called undercut. In this hairstyle, the sides and back part of the hair are short and the top hair is longer.
Justin Bieber with an undercut and dreadlocks: At the IHeartRadio Music Awards 2016 in Los Angeles, Bieber worked on an image change. (Image: Imago)
In 2018, Bieber even cut his hair short to a so-called “buzz cut”. After the statement “I no longer look the way you want” was made, he let his hair grow back and continued experimenting to this day.
2. Hats and caps
Although Justin Bieber is known for his hairstyle, he enjoyed wearing backwards caps to premieres and award shows as a teenager; not to be imitated by adults please. Although he still does it himself today, for example with a suit or at sporting events.
Justin Bieber in 2012 with yellow sneakers and his first tattoo on his arm. (Image: Getty Images)
Other significant headgear are wool hats. He also uses this to promote his fashion label Drew House, which was released in 2019 and whose name is based on his middle name.
Justin Bieber performed his hits “Lonely” and “Holy” at the 2020 American Music Awards. (Image: Getty Images)
In 2023, a picture of Justin and his wife Hailey Bieber went viral. Because while he looks like he’s just slipped out of bed with a cap over his hoodie and Crocs on his feet, she’s out and about in a red cocktail dress with heels. The New York Times wrote: “We don’t know why Hailey and Justin never dress for the same event.” Yes, actually they both just stayed true to their style.
Contrasting outfits: Justin Bieber in a baggy look and his wife Hailey Bieber in a red cocktail dress. (Image: Getty Images)
3. Glasses
An accessory that Justin Bieber always plays with are (sunglasses). At the beginning of his career it was the time of nerd glasses made of window glass. He wore these in different versions between 2010 and 2012. They fit the innocent image that people should have of him.
Justin Bieber in 2010 at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in Los Angeles for his book “Only the Beginning: My Life.” (Image: Imago)
From 2013 onwards, Bieber was often seen on and off stage wearing large sunglasses, so-called “shields”. They protected him from the photographers’ flashbulbs.
At the premiere of his documentary “Justin Bieber’s Believe” in 2013, Justin Bieber wore a red suit and sunglasses. (Image: Imago)
Over the years, Justin Bieber became more experimental with his glasses. In 2017 he wore, among other things, the “Composit 1.0” from Christian Dior, in 2021 the “Rectangle 1969” from Ray-Ban and the “Cherloi” model from the Australian brand Poppy Lissiman. The latter looks like the eyes of a bee with its slanted glasses. It’s not about looking beautiful.
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber at the US Open in September 2023. He wears sausage glasses from Loewe. (Image: Imago)
4. Tattoos
Justin Bieber got his first tattoo at the age of 16: a small seagull from the fable “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” on his left hip. Over the next two years, a lettering with “Yeshua” (Hebrew for Jesus) on the ribs and a portrait of Jesus on the lower leg followed.
Justin Bieber shows off his tattooed arms at the 2015 American Music Awards. (Image: Imago)
But his tattoos don’t just show religious symbols. For example, the title of his fourth album, “Purpose,” is written on his upper body, and a lion by the tattoo artist Bang Bang, which is said to represent strength, is enthroned on his left chest.
Justin Bieber walks topless through Tribeca, New York in 2018 with his underwear from Calvin Dress visible. (Image: Imago)
Bieber now has around 50 tattoos. The rose on his neck is meant to remind him that he is not perfect but still beautiful, he tells British Vogue in an interview.
5. Pants
In his youth, Justin Bieber often wore white or ripped blue jeans in a baggy look. As a young adult, there were also ones where you could see his underpants. The 2015 Calvin Klein campaign came at just the right time.
Justin Bieber wearing low-rise skinny jeans in Los Angeles in February 2017. (Image: Getty Images)
During the corona pandemic, he was often seen in colorful, wide trainer pants, which he combined with hoodies, sweatshirts and T-shirts from his brand Drew House. Cozy and oversized became his new fashionable trademark – and remains so to this day.
During a walk in New York in 2020, Justin Bieber wears a trainer suit from his label Drew House. (Image: Getty Images)
He especially still likes to wear pants low. With this extremely comfortable look he seems to want to say: I don’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore. Especially not at 30.
In May 2023, Justin Bieber wore loose-fitting jeans in Los Angeles. (Image: Imago)
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