From Bucks Fizz to ABBA: These are the most outrageous outfits from the Eurovision song contest ever

It’s not just the music that we love to see at Eurovision but the memorable and outrageous outfits too
Natalie Dixon
By Natalie Dixon
11th May 2023, 4:59pm

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Eurovision is only a few hours away and we are in full party-mode. The flags are flying, the food is prepped and the drinks will be flowing. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just jumping on the bandwagon we have all caught the Eurovision bug.

Thanks to Sam Ryder being last year's runner-up the contest will be held in the UK city of Liverpool. Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, it meant that the reigning champions were unable to host.

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The biggest music event of the year always delivers on the songs but it has also become quite the fashion show or shall we say memorable outfits as with everything Eurovision the more ridiculous the better. We take a look at the most outrageous outfits over the years. 

HELSINKI, FINLAND - MAY 12: Verka Serduchka performs her song "Dancing Lasha Tumbai Danzing" at the finals of the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest on May 12, 2007 in Helsinki, Finland. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)HELSINKI, FINLAND - MAY 12: Verka Serduchka performs her song "Dancing Lasha Tumbai Danzing" at the finals of the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest on May 12, 2007 in Helsinki, Finland. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
HELSINKI, FINLAND - MAY 12: Verka Serduchka performs her song "Dancing Lasha Tumbai Danzing" at the finals of the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest on May 12, 2007 in Helsinki, Finland. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

Verka Serduchka represented Ukraine in 2007 wearing a metallic silver belted trench coat, mirrored tie and matching hat with a huge star on top. The oversized sunglasses and catchy tune gave us Elton John vibes. 

Maybe a bit more scary than outrageous but Lordi made history in 2006 by becoming the first hard rock act and Finnish artist to win. The entire band were dressed up as demons and monsters as if they were orcs coming straight out of Mordor. Not the usual outfit choice for Eurovision.   

Athens, GREECE: Finland's Lordi celebrate after winning the 51st Eurovision song contest at the Athens Olympic Indoor Hall, 20 May 2006. Finland won the contest with 292 points, followed by second placed Russia and third Bosnia and Hercegovina. AFP PHOTO / Aris Messinis (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)Athens, GREECE: Finland's Lordi celebrate after winning the 51st Eurovision song contest at the Athens Olympic Indoor Hall, 20 May 2006. Finland won the contest with 292 points, followed by second placed Russia and third Bosnia and Hercegovina. AFP PHOTO / Aris Messinis (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Athens, GREECE: Finland's Lordi celebrate after winning the 51st Eurovision song contest at the Athens Olympic Indoor Hall, 20 May 2006. Finland won the contest with 292 points, followed by second placed Russia and third Bosnia and Hercegovina. AFP PHOTO / Aris Messinis (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Moving on from totally scary to totally fabulous. The winning act from the UK Bucks Fizz will forever go down in history as the most memorable performance at Eurovision. As the dopamine colour-coordinating band members sang their hit ‘Making Your Mind Up’. 

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Bobby G and Mike Nolan whipped away Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston’s midi skirts revealing a mini skirt underneath. Not so shocking in 2023 when you see some of the fashion trends but in 1981 it was headline news. 

It was 1974 so you could forgive ABBA for their super-shiny satin suede outfits and sky-high platforms. Despite the ghastly outfit choice the band did go on to win that year and the outfits went on to become iconic and the go-to fancy dress outfit, that gives me an idea for what to wear tonight.

Related topics:EurovisionABBA2023UkraineMusicHistorySilver

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