Ricky Martin style evolution© GettyImages

Ricky Martin’s style evolution – from the late ‘80s to early ‘00s, and more

The Puerto Rican artist has gone through a series of looks to mark each decade


UPDATED MAY 8, 2020 3:50 PM EDT

Throughout the course of his more than 30-year career,  Ricky Martin  has gone through a series of outfits and looks marking some of the noteworthy trends of each decade. The Puerto Rican artist has rocked everything between baggy leather pants and tailored suits to color-block blazers, and more standout pieces only he can pull off. Nonetheless, a recurring theme in many of his looks is leather. Whether it be a pair of pants, a moto jacket or a blazer, Ricky’s wardrobe seems to be filled with cool and sophisticated leather pieces. Moreover, the Livin’ La Vida Loca singer is an example of mixing business with casual.

Lately, the 48-year-old has opted for tailored garbs, but in the past, the performer has turned to loose-fitting pants allowing for extra movement (you know he’s got moves!). Today,  Ricky is one of the most stylish Latin men in the entertainment industry , but going through this gallery, you’ll quickly realize he’s always had a personal sense of style. Scroll through the gallery to see how Ricky Martin’s style has evolved over the years.

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Little black boots

A young Ricky Martin circa 1980s was all about the leather look. How cute is he in that gray leather jacket featuring exaggerated shoulders and minimal hardware – very ‘80s. The finishing touch to this look is his little black boots worn over his skinny jeans.

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Menudo days

During his Menudo boy band era, the rising star dressed in casual get-ups adorned with statement hardware. The look says pop star mixed with rock n’ roll. He also accessorized with jewelry including bracelets and a silver necklace.

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New York in the ‘80s

A graphic button-up shirt, straight-leg jeans, suede boots, and a leather moto jacket all scream ‘80s style icon. The singer looks to be content after buying a pretzel right outside NYC’s Madison Square Garden.

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Prince Charming, 1994

Here, Ricky looks straight out of the cover of a romance novel. These were his long hair, don’t care days in which he showed off his finely-toned physique in loose-fitting garbs such as this cream-colored suit. Note, there was no need for a shirt!

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1995

Ricky’s album A Medio Vivir came out during this time. The Puerto Rican heartthrob further conquered the Spanish-speaking audience with his soft tunes and his great style.

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1997

Another look, another cool leather jacket. This time, in the form of a blazer, he teamed it with a plain white t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. It’s a classic look with a hint of edge.

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He’s a winner!

Ricky won his first Grammy Award in 1999 for Best Latin Pop Album, Vuelve. The artist pulled off loose-fitting leather pants and a henley shirt for an unforgettable evening.

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MTV Movie Awards

The Vente Pa’ Ca singer showed up to the 1999 MTV Movie Awards wearing an all-black ensemble, including untailored trousers, a short-sleeve button-up, and chunky-heeled boots. He accessorized with a classic ‘90s staple: a pair of narrow sunglasses.

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2000

Only Ricky Martin could’ve managed to look sexy in a pair of leather pants and a semi-sheer button-up shirt. Here, the award-winning artist is shown conquering international grounds in Sydney, Australia. This was also the year in which his hit single Livin’ La Vida Loca ruled the world.

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So sophisticated

The former Menudo band member teamed sophisticated elements for his performance at the 28th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles. He rocked a pair of tan-colored chinos, a gray mock neck, and a signature leather jacket – so handsome!

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Playing with textures

The Volveras singer attended the 2004 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in a head-to-toe black get up. The trick to his look was playing with different textures. He wore a sharp velvet blazer with satin lapels teamed with a pair of slacks featuring a leather (or maybe satin?) side stripe. He’s too cool.

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Semi-casual

The superstar showed up to the Grammy Awards in 2005, at the time when tailored pants weren’t that cool. Ricky rocked a mix of dressy with casual donning a pair of baggy slacks, dress shoes and shook it up with a white tee worn under a button-up shirt and a brown leather jacket.

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2007

The Latin artist ruled the stage during his Black and White Tour in Miami, wearing a brown monochrome outfit. Ricky pulled into a pair of slightly tailored pants and a tight-fighting shirt. The performer accessorized with multiple beaded necklaces, and a studded loop belt.

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Neutrals for the win

The She Bangs crooner showed up to Premio Lo Nuestro in 2008, making a case for neutrals and a buzz haircut. He teamed a pair of chic white pants with a beige shirt and a matching blazer. Ricky‘s finishing touch was a printed scarf in the same color family..

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Milan Fashion Week, 2011

A very stylish Ricky Martin attended the Giorgio Armani show at Milan Fashion Week. A sheer example of mixing business with casual, he wore a pair of white chinos paired with a dress shirt and a structured gray blazer. Ricky added a blasé element with a pair of navy sneakers.

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Marc Jacobs Fashion Show

Ricky was back in black to a Marc Jacobs show in 2013. The look is the definition of: “I’m cool, and I know it.”

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He’s in-vested

Performing at the Latin Grammy Awards in 2014, Ricky wore an updated version of one of his shirtless looks from 1994 (for reference: check the cover photo of this piece). Although this time he did wear what seems like a tank top under a vest, either way, he still manages to pull off the sexy-vest ensemble 20 years later.

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When in Cali

Ricky is no regular dad, he’s a cool dad, and to prove it is this look he wore in 2015. I don’t know about you, but this breezy (and fitted) linen shirt paired with slightly ripped jeans and pristine white sneakers aren’t your average dad-wardrobe-picks.

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Business-casual continues

In 2017, Ricky showed up to a press conference for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, wearing an outfit that ties to his current style. Fully groomed, he wore a pair of tailored chinos and a slightly unbuttoned silk shirt while adding a casual touch with all-white sneakers.

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2018

By now, Ricky masters the smart-casual approach, but we love how he added a twist with a sleek color-block jacket. The rest of his OOTD included a plain white t-shirt, gray trousers and a pair of lace-up shoes featuring a traction outsole.

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Best-dressed couple

Ricky Martin and his husband, Jwan Yosef , are one of the best-dressed couples out there. Although Jwan is slightly more fashion-forward, the María singer stays true to neutrals. However, he tends to add a standout detail – in this case, his unique steel-toe shoes.

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So Miami

Ricky stood out in a bright-white suit at 2020’s Premio Lo Nuestro in Miami. With age, the father-of-four has conquered the art of sharp suiting, while adding quirky elements that pertain to his overall style. Read: the watercolor shirt peeking underneath his blazer and the neon outsole of his pointed shoes. We love you, Ricky, and your style!