style
We're taking a look back at the group's most iconic fits
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By: Jael Rucker
Published Feb 27, 2023
There’s no other way to start this article off other than… TLC is one of the greatest groups of all time. With a resume that includes nine top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100, four number one singles, four multi-platinum albums (one of which is a diamond album), and becoming the first R&B group to ever receive the Million certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for their third album Fanmail. Last year the group celebrated the 30th anniversary of their first album Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip, and next year they will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their second album CrazySexyCool, along with the 25th anniversary of their third album FanMail. In addition to their record breaking success and accomplishments, the group was also renowned for their style. Here’s a look at TLC’s 90s fashion.
RELATED: A Look at the Alt-Grunge Influence of Kurt Cobain's Style
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Now, no TLC article can be written without acknowledging the legacy of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, who we lost far too soon. And while T-Boz and Chilli have continued to tour and release music in the twenty years since her passing, it’s also at times a sad realization that there was still so much more they could have accomplished as a trio.
What Made TLC’s 1990s Style So Different?
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It’s simple. TLC’s style was different. If you look back to some of the pre-1990s female R&B acts and groups, their style was much more on the glamorous and super feminine side. You could even use a group like En Vogue, who for example debuted in 1990, and was basically a more modern version of The Supremes. Artists like TLC, Mary J. Blige, and SWV helped usher in a more “tomboy” era of the 1990s girl group, with each having their own separate identity.
In fact, many consider TLC to be the blueprint for girl group style during the 90s with their baggy oversized clothing, suits, and futuristic costumes. The trio is credited for finding unique ways to promote safe sex through their clothing. For example, in the early years of their career, Left Eye was known to wear condoms over her left eye, along with all of the members sometimes wearing condoms pinned to their outfits.
Simply put, TLC changed the style game in the 1990s, and we’re going to take a look at some of their best looks from the decade.
1. Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg Music Video
The first single and music video TLC ever released, “Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg” showcased many memorable looks starting with Left Eye’s huge yellow sunglasses in the beginning, which she paired with a green hat, a colorful white t-shirt, and red baggy pants. T-Boz wore a white tee with baggy pants in that opening segment as well, with Chilli donning red baggy overalls overtop a loose green t-shirt and purple ball cap. Later on in the video we would see different variations of the loose tees, overalls, and baggy pants, as the group made a statement that they “weren’t like the rest of em.”
2. 1992 KMEL Summer Jam
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The 1992 KMEL Summer Jam was a primary example of what you would call classic early 90s TLC with Left Eye wearing the infamous condom over left eye, Chilli rocking her oversized shirt, baggy pants, and bandana, and T-Boz wearing a rather interesting space themed cut out top, which she paired with matching pants.
3. Creep Music Video
The year 1994 saw a very different TLC from what we were used to. Make no mistake, they were still very much true to their identity of rocking the baggy fits, but at the same time the group's style matured into something that was a little sexier and a little more feminine. For their sophom*ore effort, the trio adopted different personas with Left Eye being “Crazy,” Chilli being “Sexy” and T-Boz being “Cool,” thus birthing the name of the record. The first single released from the CrazySexyCool album was “Creep” where we saw T-Boz, Left Eye and Chilli wearing silk pajamas for majority of the video, which has since become iconic.
4. Waterfalls Music Video
And while it may be an obvious choice to put “Waterfalls” on this list, the song, video, and outfits rightfully deserves a spot on here. The outfit choice for the “Waterfalls” music video was as simple as the video itself (which was filmed with the group members singing and dancing in water) with each member wearing cut off tops and sarongs. The costumes were also a different look for the trio as it was probably the first time since their debut that we had seen them in any type of “skirt.”
5. 1995 VMAS
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Not only were TLC’s red carpet outfits for the 1995 VMAs iconic, but the costumes they wore for their actual performance that night was equally as legendary. For the red carpet/show the group donned beige halter/cut off tops complete with matching cream boots. And for their performance that evening, T-Boz, Left Eye and Chilli wore checkered baggy outfits that were just as fun as their routine.
6. 1995 MTV Movie Awards
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TLC’s appearance at the 1995 MTV Movie Awards was a standout as well, with all three members wearing black tops and what looks to be Dolce & Gabbana briefs paired with silver trousers.
7. Diggin on You Music Video
First of all, the “Diggin on You LA Live Remix” (which is the version performed in the music video) is very underrated as we personally believe it’s one of the best remixes of all time. Second of all, the music video for “Diggin on You” is one of the most perfectly executed live music videos of all time (live music videos can either be a hit or miss in our opinion). And third of all, their outfits in the video were highly representative of who TLC was during that particular point in time.
You had Left Eye rocking the silver bodysuit and baggy silver pants, alongside T-Boz and Chilli who both wore silver cut belly tops and matching baggy pants. Simple, yet attention grabbing.
8. 1996 Grammys
The 1996 Grammys Award was another iconic moment for the group, and it wasn’t just because of their outfits or the fact that they had a big night in the award department. The 96 Grammys was also the place where TLC publicly announced the fact that despite all of their success in the music industry up to that point, they, in fact, were broke due to album debts, salaries, and payouts. One of these days we will definitely do a serious breakdown of that pivotal moment in the music industry and what it meant not just for the group, but for artists who would eventually follow in their footsteps.
9. 1996 Soul Train Music Awards
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TLC’s look for the 1996 Soul Train Music Awards is one of their best as the group took to the red carpet wearing different variations of bikini tops and satin baggy pants. It was a unique combination that we hadn’t really seen done before in that exact same manner, and the look was pulled off in a way that only TLC could do.
10. No Scrubs Music Video
While at the tail end of the 1990s (1999 to be exact), “No Scrubs” still counts, and in our opinion, it’s one of the most stylish videos ever in terms of the costumes, hair, and makeup. You had the legendary black outfits that the trio wore in the main scenes. Then there was Chilli’s fuzzy halter top and baggy pants for her opening verse. Next you had T-Boz’s futuristic white outfit that can’t even be properly described, along with the blue metallic robot outfit Left Eye wore during her rap verse. Oh, and the hair and makeup was out of this world as well. TLC was really an integral part of initiating that intergalactic theme that was oh so popular in music videos and performances during the 2000s.
11. 1999 VMAS
And last but not least, a red version of the outfits worn during the main scenes of the “No Scrubs” video for the 1999 VMAs.
TLC has not only rightfully earned their place in music history, but they have also earned their place for being groundbreaking trendsetters in fashion as well. Make sure to keep up with us for more style articles and content.
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