Mariah Carey recently adopted a notably more casual and grungy aesthetic for a night out in Manhattan, trading her signature glamour for a high-end, distressed ensemble. The "Honey" hitmaker was seen leaving the rooftop bar at the Peninsula hotel on Thursday, sporting Acne Studios’ $850 baggy jeans, described by the brand as "finished with hand-applied paint and stain marks for an authentic dirty effect."
She paired the statement jeans with the Swedish brand's $580 layered mesh tee, which featured graffiti-style doodles across the front. Carey completed the look with Gucci oval-frame sunglasses, priced at $430, and $1,000 Hermès platform slip-on sandals. Her honey-colored, waist-length curls, glossy lips, and metallic manicure and pedicure maintained a touch of her usual polish.
This dressed-down look marks a departure from her more typical glamorous appearances. Earlier in the week, Carey was seen in a Louis Vuitton dress valued at $4,500 and $2,300 Gucci boots.
Carey's choice of the distressed Acne jeans is also noteworthy as Jennifer Lopez wore an identical pair in April 2024, when they were priced at $620. The two artists have a well-documented history of perceived or actual rivalry, famously highlighted by Carey's 2003 comment, "I don't know her," when asked about Lopez.
The singer's recent fashion choices coincide with the upcoming Oct. 30 release of a 25th-anniversary reissue of her 2001 soundtrack and film, "Glitter." This reissue will include the soundtrack's first vinyl pressing and previously unheard vault recordings. While the original album and film were met with critical disappointment, "Glitter" has since gained a cult following among fans.