Back in 2006, millions across the globe would be transported every week to Miley Stewart’s comedic struggles between her life as a normal teenager and her life as the iconic pop star Hannah Montana. Now 20 years later, nothing much has changed as millions across the globe tune into Disney once again for the 20th anniversary special. Special guests, insider tea, and unreleased music, it was a moment for all of us to connect with our inner child and jump headfirst into nostalgia. But what we couldn’t miss out on was the fashion, how Miley Cyrus or “Hannah” managed to keep a grown-up version of the same vivacious Y2K style.
Over the show and the movie, Miley’s fashion was structured in a typical teenage fantasy. Bold colours, sparkles, and strategic layering to keep it modest. We saw this in both stage outfits and regular “Miley” outfits, defining the 2000s casual fashion era of the time.
We also saw plenty of fits featuring cowboy boots paired with jackets, a subtle nod to the character and actress’s country heritage.
And one standout look that we love from the old school show is a chic black and white pairing with skinny jeans, a bedazzled belt and a thin mesh scarf. While it might not be too out there, it was a similar style that Miley Cyrus decided to go for in the 20th anniversary special. A denim jacket with matching capris and a thin sequinned scarf, it was Hannah Montana all grown up—still sticking to the trends but never losing out on the sparkle.
The rest of the 20th anniversary special came with a similar vibe. While not loud with colours, the bling remains. Another standout look of the show was when the singer performed Younger You, a song to celebrate the occasion, in an all-black look. What makes the outfit so Hannah Montana coded, though, is that it was completely covered in sequins, shimmering like a night sky. And we’d like to think that in-universe, Hannah Montana would continue in her glam, just a tad toned down.
And the last look that cemented this concept was Miley Cyrus’s 20th anniversary special premiere look. A silver gown layered with a graphic T-shirt of her own face, it was simultaneously so very Cyrus and so very Montana.
20 years later, and the fashion is still the best of both worlds. Fun and playful yet mature, with a deeper palette and self-assured confidence. And of course, the sequins, the gold, the bling continues on, because Hannah might have grown up, but she has not lost her shine.
