Strictly Fab Fashion Fable: Beyonce and Solange Knowles

Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation

In 2001, Destiny’s Child won the Grammy Award for best R&B Song for their hit single ‘Say My Name.’ Beyonce was 20 years old, and Solange was 15. New to superstardom, these young girls from Texas would take their time developing their sense of style.

Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com

Looking just like her mom Tina here, Beyonce began her career with hair extensions based on braids, way before she would “upgrade” to lace front wigs.

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Working a strange mix of accessories, Beyonce used her ensemble to promote her self-penned hit ‘Bootylicious.’ We do what we must to reach the top! It was 2001, and still a few more years before Bey would cement her spot without resorting to desperate moves.

Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com

At the 2001 Teen Choice Awards Beyonce and Solange continue to evoke the “classless country” look with matching neon yellow outfits and braids in clashing shades of auburn. At this time, Solange had almost no identity of her own and was totally dependent on her sister’s shine.

Gregg DeGuire, WireImage.com

NO TABLOIDS! Solange & Beyonce of Destiny’s Child wearing Tina Knowles 2001 MTV Video Music Awards – Audience and Backstage The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center New York City, New York USA September 6, 2001 Photo by Theo Wargo, WireImage.com To license this image (231747), contact WireImage.com

Theo Wargo, WireImage.com

Solange was really just a teen growing up in the fast lane, as we can see here in this early pic. Her braids, scarf, tee and jewelry are clothing an average girl would wear.

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Solange and Beyonce Knowles Solange posed together in 2002 in an uncharacteristically dressed-down look for Bey. Do you think she still has that Michael Jackson’s Thriller t-shirt?

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Through this two-tone hair sculpture in the form of a lace-front wig, Beyonce shows the world that they do indeed do it big in Texas at the ‘Austin Powers In Goldmember’ in 2002. While Beyonce began to branch out into acting roles at this time, and slightly mature in her sense of style, Solange still seems like a non-entity totally dressed by Mom.

Gregg DeGuire, WireImage.com

These two sisters made an appearance on MTV’s ‘TRL’ in 2002 wearing distinctly different casual looks. While Beyonce took even her relaxed dressing to a costume-like extreme, Solange was still dressing like normal young person.

Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com

At the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall, Bey gave a knockout performance and revealed what many would come to term the “Beyonce Look” in full force. The huge blonde mane and over-the-top sexy golden outfits were here to stay.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images