Fashion, right now, is the equivalent of a time machine. The ’90s and early ’00s keep making a comeback and, at this point, we’re not even mad. One of the early aughts trends making a return is butterflies (though thankfully, it’s all animal-friendly). Designers, such as Naeem Khan and Zang Toi, showed butterfly-inspired garments during New York Fashion Week, marking butterflies as one of the trends we’re definitely watching for in spring 2019.
You might have dabbled with a butterfly clip as a kid or a butterfly tattoo in college, but the reigning queen of this trend is Mariah Carey. Not only did she name her 1997 album Butterfly, but she also wore butterfly-themed accessories and clothes regularly, including hair clips, back tattoos, jewelry, key chains, and tops. Even as she made a comeback in 2018 with her single, “GTFO,” the singer chose to wear a butterfly ring in the music video.
Mariah Carey’s love affair with butterflies is far from over, so let it inspire your spring 2019 aesthetic. Below, check out (and pin) seven butterfly-heavy looks.
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1
The butterfly ring
Mariah Carey’s predilection for butterfly-themed fashion was seen mostly on her jewelry, specifically that one bedazzled ring she carried everywhere – from the beach to the studio to the stage. Don’t forget to finish your look with a french tip manicure.
Get a similar look here.
2
The M by Mariah Carey perfume bottle
Like many pop stars, Mariah Carey also released her own perfume in 2007, featuring a butterfly-shaped bottle cap, of course. The perfume’s tagline reads, “An ethereal presence captivating like a song,” which should really be your spring 2019 motto.
Cop the scent here.
3
The stage butterfly
When Mariah is not wearing a butterfly, then she covers every part of her life in butterflies. She has included butterflies as a stage prop in multiple performances, including her 2018 residency at Caesar’s Palace. While you probably won’t need a life-size butterfly for your everyday life (unfortunately), you could still take some inspiration from this moment and decorate your notebooks, hair, or walls with tiny butterflies.
Get your own butterfly props here.
4
The butterfly key chain
In the early aughts, key chains were functional, but also a whole look. Mariah Carey, obviously, chose a butterfly to wear along with her flower-themed jeans during a performance. As the 2000s nostalgia continues to be in vogue, take a cue from Mariah Carey’s love of butterfly keychains and rock one on your belt loop.
Cop one here.
5
The butterfly cake topper
Mariah Carey’s birthday celebrations are as amazing as the diva herself, which is why she has previously rung in a new year with a Mariah Carey as a butterfly cake topper. While it might be a little harder to get this exact look, you can at least decorate your pastel with edible butterflies.
Get your own toppers here.
6
The 'Butterfly' album
Mariah Carey cemented her place as the queen of butterflies with her album, Butterfly, and her concert series, The Butterfly Returns. Her album cover featured Mariah smiling around monarch butterflies, which matched her nude strapless top and jeans outfit, and a subtle butterfly belly chain.
Get your own chain here.
7
The butterfly tattoo
The early aughts were plagued with removable tattoos, and Mariah Carey was one of the main adopters of this trend. She chose to include her butterfly branding on the red carpet with a bedazzled tattoo.
Get your own here.