Lady Gagas 10 Best Music Videos Ranked by Outfits

Lady Gaga turns 35 on March 28, and there is no one quite like her.

As audiences watch the internet for new photos from the set of her upcoming movie “House of Gucci,” Gaga — born Stefani Germanotta — remains an unstoppable force.

She continues to collect awards, most recently winning the best pop duo/group performance Grammy for “Rain on Me.” Gaga has an Oscar, two Golden Globe awards and has been nominated for an Emmy.

Early in the pandemic, Gaga focused on her philanthropic work, gathering some of the biggest names in music for the benefit concert, “Global Citizen‘s One World: Together At Home.”

And last May, she released her sixth album “Chromatica.” She will be returning to standards when her new album with Tony Bennett comes out this spring, a follow-up to their chart-topping 2014 album, “Cheek to Cheek.”

Before becoming a household name and global superstar, Gaga had written songs for Britney Spears, Adam Lambert and Jennifer Lopez. In 2008, her debut single “Just Dance” catapulted Gaga onto the music scene. The song was the first single from her debut album “The Fame.”

While there have been many lists ranking Gaga’s best videos, this one ranks them by the best outfits which admittedly was no easy feat. From short films and trilogies to Quentin Tarantino homages, they are all works of art filled with symbolism and much to unpack. Gaga indeed raised the bar on music videos with her eye for fashion.

There is plenty to love in each video Gaga has made, but the selected ones show her transformative style, ability to shape-shift and above all, give little monsters plenty of inspiration with her creativity and eye-popping memorable outfits.

Below, find Gaga’s 10 best music videos, ranked by outfit.

G.U.Y.
Lady Gaga did what very few have achieved: she was able to shoot on the grounds of Hearst Castle for the short film “G.U.Y.”
The short film is a journey through “Artpop,” “Venus,” and “G.U.Y” set against the backdrop of this lavish castle.
Not even David Fincher could get permission to shoot there for “Mank,” which features key scenes that take place at the famous San Simeon estate.
Back to Gaga…
Eleven minutes of video provides viewers with countless looks.
First, there’s the wounded feather look, complete with an arrow through the body. Remember the wings? Jim Henson Studios provided those. The design is a creation from the Haus of Gaga itself. The white swimsuit look, a symbol of purity and rebirth, came from designer Jean Paul Gaultier. She has been reincarnated and reinvented.
Nathan Sawaya was recruited to craft several looks including the yellow Lego dress. He also built the Lego fruit bowl by the pool.
In case you missed it the first time around, or on your tenth visit, that’s the cast of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” making an appearance in the music video. All of them are wearing custom hand-painted pink neoprene dresses by Holly Fowler.
The video, like many, is filled with cultural references and symbolism.
Welcome to Artpop.
Just Dance
It has been over ten years since “Just Dance” dropped onto club floors around the world with Lady Gaga encouraging listeners to, well, just dance.
The video that started it all; the beginning. We first meet the blonde Gaga from behind as she approaches a house – wearing black pants and a hot pink jacket. Soon, Gaga peels it off and we’re teased with numerous looks.
The most iconic is the David Bowie-inspired lightning bolt and zebra-print mini dress which Gaga designed herself. Other looks sported include yellow shorts and a mirrored bra.
Directed by Melina Matsoukas (“Queen & Slim”), Gaga’s April 2008 debut was merely giving audiences a teaser of what was to come. The track was one of the singles featured on “The Fame.”
From there, her career would take off, and the rest is history.
Stupid Love
The Chromatica era was born during the pandemic lockdown. It had been two years since Lady Gaga had blessed listeners with new music, and “Stupid Love,” a teaser for “Chromatica,” was a fashionable feast – with Gaga making hot pink ultra-fashionable again.
The underwire bra and “Marilyn Knickers” were by Vex Clothing, a small independent brand specializing in latex. Designer Laura Pulice created the hot pink alien punk look Gaga sports for the video.
Kaimin, a past collaborator, was the mastermind behind Gaga’s bolero jacket look. The headpiece/face shield was a custom headpiece designed by Rinaldy Yunardi.
It was another up-and-coming designer, Jackson Wiederhoeft, who created the “Dragon look” with its oversized robe and train, again in pink — everything in Chromatica is pink! — latex and metallic.
Gaga is never one to steer away from colorful outfits and elaborate ones; “Stupid Love” was no different and whetted our appetites for this new era.
Born This Way
Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” is an anthem about gay rights and gender equality, but most importantly, it is a song about empowerment and became one of the most iconic songs about identity in the 21st century — just a refresher in case you missed it.
The video was directed by Nick Knight. Take a moment to glance at the steel heel on the killer platform heels by Mugler. The underwear Gaga is seen in for most of the video is a custom-made piece by Stephanie Paterek for NYC Sextrash.
At the top of the video, Gaga channels Fritz Lang’s 1927 expressionist film, “Metropolis,” about a futuristic dystopia. There’s also a nod to her love for surrealist art as she pays homage to Salvador Dali’s “Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of the New Man” in the birthing scene.
The “evil twin” suit towards the end, another Thierry Mugler piece, is sure to be spotted at your local non-Gaga-themed Halloween party.
Costumes were styled by the one and only Nicola Formichetti, Gaga’s creative director.
Applause
How do you deconstruct the looks Lady Gaga gave for “Applause”? This was the first video from her 2013 album “Artpop.”
Who can forget the leather-clad gloves bra worn in the video? Moroccan designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac first debuted the look in 2011, but Gaga brought them to everyone’s attention here. And then, there’s the iconic homage to “Commedia dell’Arte.”
The imaginative creations flowed here. Remember the black swan head with Gaga in a pixie-cropped haircut? Even more memorable was the bare-faced Gaga flanked by inflated white parachute wings while wearing a black bodystocking. That’s Gaga as Icarus — flying too close to the sun. And what about that green marbled jacket as Gaga emerges from a top hat?
Gaga’s love for paying homage continues here as we catch a glimpse of Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus.”
Now would be a good time to bring up the shoes again — those black platform lace-up ankle boots stand out.
While this is dedicated to the divine fashion Gaga has rocked, it’s also worth revisiting these videos to see what her background dancers are wearing. They too rock some fine outfits.
Alejandro
The one thing that stands out about Lady Gaga’s videos is the fashion rundown. From established designers to up-and-coming names, Gaga’s creativity and collaborations with Nicola Formichetti have been inspiring followers for years.
Search how to recreate any Lady Gaga look, and the internet will throwback countless options. The internet and social media platforms are awash with how-to videos inspired by a Lady Gaga creation. “Alejandro” was no different.
Who can forget that epic binocular headpiece at the top of that video? A creation by Nasir Mazhar.
Once again, Alexander McQueen lent himself to Gaga for this. Her black cape was a custom-made creation. Her lace outfit was also custom-made by McQueen with a rose headdress custom-made by Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen.
The nun looks, complete with rosary beads, were the most memorable. The red nun outfit was custom-made by Atsuko Kudo. The stark red leather cross against cream popped in another holy look. Then there was the gun bra, another custom piece.
Mother Monster made underwear fashionable again – enter the simple pair of Calvin Kleins.
And if anyone knows how to accessorize, it’s Gaga. Whether it’s sleek vintage Versace sunglasses or a Chanel ring, Gaga’s accessories deserve a ranking of their own. On that note, so do the headpieces.
911
This video, much like any video on this list, could be a ranking within a ranking.
“911” was the second single from Lady Gaga’s “Chromatica” album. The just-under-four-minute music video was directed by Tarsem Singh, with visuals reminiscent of his earlier feature film, “The Cell,” starring Jennifer Lopez.
This short film was filled with wall-to-wall homages including Alejandro Jodorowsky’s “The Holy Mountain,” Federico Fellini’s “8 1/2” and Sergei Parajanov’s “The Color of Pomegranates.” No expense was spared in this fever-dream video that has a twist mid-way through.
The outfits are iconic — from the Karina Akopyan bleeding look which consisted of a bra and skirt to the Lance Moore mask to the Diego Montoya dresses she wears. But Akopyan’s floral bodysuit and headdress are a standout. The outfit called the “Floral Alien” was hand-painted with an appliqued leather body-suit.
The video is a myriad of looks that puts this among Gaga’s most fashionable music videos.
Paparazzi
Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” served some of the fiercest looks from Mother Monster. Jonas Åkerlund directs this satirical look at America’s obsession with celebrities and fame.
The video runs the gamut from Alexander Skarsgård’s murder attempt to his murder. There’s the Minnie Mouse-inspired outfit – an unforgettable look in her costume universe. Jeremy Scott designed the yellow jumpsuit with twisted shoulders. And then there’s the Dolce & Gabbana corset that makes an appearance at the end. Fun fact: the killer corset was part of an exhibition at the Louvre.
After Gaga’s character is pushed over the balcony and she survives, her studded wheelchair came courtesy of Michael Schmidt studios. Gaga completed that look with sunglasses and that blonde sidebun, finished with a pink streak. Who can forget that red neck collar after her accident and sheer leopard print outfit she wears as she makes her recovery?
The futuristic nod was the metallic robot look direct from designer Theirry Mugler’s spring/summer 1998 collection. But let’s admit it, this video is all about that opulent Minnie Mouse-inspired outfit.
Bad Romance
A year after Lady Gaga had given us the “Just Dance” video, she graced us with “Bad Romance.” Stylist Nicola Formichetti pulled together the looks from British designer Alexander McQueen while Francis Lawrence helmed the video set inside a bathhouse.
McQueen had sent Gaga the outfits from his “Plato’s Atlantis” collection, and she calls the designer a “strong dictator for the video.” The white latex catsuits were iconic and made by the Haus of Gaga. The crown and catsuit were inspired by a woman Gaga met in Ibiza, Spain. Gaga went off and sketched a white version of the outfit she had seen.
Elsewhere, Jaiden rVa James created the masks worn in the video. Gaga wears a bespoke Alex Noble red elastic outfit. And lest we forget, there’s the classic, legendary armadillo boots, bear cape and firework cone bra that completed the many looks Gaga gifted monsters in “Bad Romance.”
Perhaps the greatest gift this video gave was the birth of the monster claw. Watch closely and witness the symbol that became iconic.
Telephone
Directed by Jonas Åkerlund, this was a continuation of the “Paparazzi” video.
“Telephone” sees Gaga team up with Beyoncé for this phenomenal fashion feast featuring two of the biggest names in music today.
It’s hard to believe the two have yet to perform this song live together.
With so many iconic looks crammed into the ten-minute-long video between Gaga and Beyoncé, “Telephone” comes in at number one. It would be sinful to put it anywhere else but at the top.
Gaga’s go-to stylist Nicola Formichetti pulled together the wealth of looks for this. Some creations, such as the studded outfits, were created by Haus of Gaga.
A standout is that big shoulder black and white “jail” outfit which Gaga wears as she is escorted to her cell. Another sequence features Gaga in an outfit inspired by crime scene tape with the words “Do Not Cross” emblazoned on it.
The black hat and sleek outfit Gaga wears as she walks out of jail is another solid striking outfit from Thierry Mugler.
Enter Beyoncé.
A hooded catsuit features in the video. Beyoncé’s yellow hat and dress that she wears in the diner to meet Tyrese Gibson as she casually laces his coffee was designed by Atsuko Kudo. Before the grande finale, Beyoncé and Gaga sport star-spangled outfits.
This video reigns above all with a two-for-one deal on the fashion looks served on a silver platter.
The Pussy Wagon comes courtesy of director Quentin Tarantino, straight out of “Kill Bill Vol. 1.”
It’s time for “Telephone” to be continued.

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Update: 2024-07-14