See Selena Quintanilla's Most Unforgettable Fashion Looks, 30 Years After Her Death

The legendary singer, who died 30 years ago in 1995, left an indelible mark with her timeless style

Catherine Santino

and

James Mercadante

Published on March 31, 2025 11:17AM EDT

Comments

Selena Quintanilla performs at the Astrodome during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Feb. 26, 1995; Selena Quintanilla attends the 36th annual Grammy Awards in New York City on March 1, 1994; Selena Quintanilla sings onstage at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo inside the Astrodome on Feb. 28, 1993. Photo:
AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, John Everett; Sonia Moskowitz/Shutterstock; AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Dave Einsel

Selena Quintanilla was more than just the "Queen of Tejano Music" — she was a fashion icon.

Born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas, the "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" singer was known for her distinctive style, combining flashy embellishments with Western motifs while honoring her Mexican-American heritage.

"At the time, you never saw people like that on television, even in Latin American programming," Maria Garcia, the creator of public radio's Anything for Selena podcast, told Texas Monthly in 2021. "She wore rhinestones that you could tell were rhinestones. She wasn't trying to pretend that she was wearing diamonds."

Beyond her onstage glamour, the Grammy Award-winning artist sought to share her trendsetting aesthetics with a broader audience. In 1993, she and designer Martin Gomez launched Selena Etc., a boutique with locations in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas.

On March 31, 1995, at age 23, Quintanilla was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldívar — a former business associate and manager of her fan club — who has been serving time in prison since she was found guilty and sentenced to life in October of that year. Saldívar filed for parole in January 2025, but her first attempt was denied on March 27, 2025, per The New York Times. Saldívar will be eligible for her next parole review in March 2030.

Despite a tragic end, Quintanilla's legacy lives on three decades later. Celebrities have continued to pay homage to her classic looks, with some of her most famous outfits preserved at the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of her death, let's look back on Quintanilla's most memorable style moments.

Selena Quintanilla in Houston on Feb. 28, 1993

Selena Quintanilla performs at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at the Astrodome on Feb. 28, 1993. AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Dave Einsel

Quintanilla wore her beloved bustier look while performing at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo in 1993. The singer appeared in a silver-and-black top with black high-waisted pants and a black hat with a studded brim.

The event — which took place in the Astrodome — set an all-time attendance record by drawing 66,994 audience members, according to Chron.

Selena Quintanilla at the Grammy Awards on March 1, 1994

Selena Quintanilla attends the 36th annual Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in N.Y.C. on March 1, 1994. Larry Busacca/Getty

The 1994 Grammys was a huge moment for Quintanilla; the singer won best Mexican/Mexican-American album for her album Live!, making her the first female Tejano artist to do so. For the occasion, she chose a silver embellished Lillie Rubin halter gown purchased at The Galleria mall in Houston.

In the 1997 biopic Selena, starring Jennifer Lopez, the mall shopping scene is depicted on-screen, with Lopez attempting to buy a dress at a boutique.

"It took me a while, but I managed to figure out exactly where she had bought it," Elisabetta Beraldo, the film's costume designer, told Billboard in 2017. "The brand was [Lille Rubin's parent company] Cache, and they didn't have the original, but they made it again for us."

The gown is on display at the Selena Museum, as shared on Instagram in 2021 in honor of Quintanilla receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 63rd annual event.

Selena Quintanilla in Houston on Aug. 14, 1994

Selena Quintanilla performs onstage during the third annual Tejano Super Fest at the Guadalupe Plaza/Park in Houston on Aug. 14, 1994. Barbara Laing/Getty

Quintanilla took a break from her usual bedazzled stage costumes at the third annual Tejano Super Fest at the Guadalupe Plaza/Park in Houston. Instead, the legendary singer-songwriter opted for blue jeans, a Western belt and a tied-up white button-down shirt.

The show was a pit stop on the successful Amor Prohibido Tour, where she performed the title track and other hits such as "Si Una Vez," "No Me Queda Mas" and "Como la Flor" from the 1994 album Amor Prohibido.

Selena Quintanilla at the Hard Rock Cafe in San Antonio on Jan. 12, 1995

Selena Quintanilla performs at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe in San Antonio on Jan. 12, 1995. Larry Busacca/Getty

Quintanilla shined during her performance at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe in San Antonio, lighting up the stage in a black suit with sparkly silver pinstripes. She paired the look with a silver necklace and matching hoop earrings, with her hair pulled back into a bun.

Selena Quintanilla in Houston on Feb. 26, 1995

Selena Quintanilla sings at the Astrodome during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Feb. 26, 1995. Arlene Richie/getty images

Undoubtedly Quintanilla's most iconic fashion moment, the singer took the Astrodome stage at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 1995 wearing a glittering purple jumpsuit. The midriff-baring one-piece featured a halter top, flared pants and a matching long-sleeve jacket.

The rodeo show was Quintanilla's last televised performance before she was fatally shot just over a month later, forever cementing the stunning ensemble in pop culture history.