• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your legacy
  • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • Beauty News
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle News
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Netflix’s Jingle Jangle Gift Guide
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your Legacy
  • News
    • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Essence 50th Anniversary
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
Home · Celebrity

Chaka Khan's Best Throwback Style Moments

The one and only Chaka Khan is celebrating a birthday today (March 23) and we'd be remiss if we didn't take a moment to recognize her epic throwback style. Hitting the scene in the 1970's, Chaka Khan exemplified what it meant to be a free-spirited, independent woman at that time. Here, we take a look at her most daring and memorable looks.

 

By Dominique Hobdy · March 23, 2017October 26, 2020
01
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan’s poses in a chic fur and jersey dress circa 1970.

02
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan rocks a black ensemble and lace-up sandals in the early ’70s.

03
Chaka Khan

Chaka is all about the shine in this portrait taken in the early ’80s.

04
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan performs live in a bustier, tulle tutu and lace opera gloves at the Wembly Arena on September 28, 1985 in London, England.

05
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan gives a fierce pose in a printed belly baring top, skirtr and wedge boots circa 1970.

06
Chaka Khan

This 1975 Rufus & Chaka Khan album cover for “Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan” is one of our favorites. Chaka Khan goes for a bohemian, Native American vibe with feathers and fur tails.

07
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan draws all eyes on her in a sexy and playful 80s look.

08
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan performs alongside Rufus in January 1970 wearing a leather bralette and pants.

09
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan gives us major fringe while performing at the Felt Forum in New York on April 10, 1976.

Allan Tannenbaum
10
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan rocks a floor-sweeping kimono dress while performing on the legendary local TV show ‘The Scene’ circa 1977 in Detroit, Michigan.

11
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan poses in a floral top with billowing sleeves circa 1970.

12
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan performs in a red and gold bralette with matching pants circa 1970.

13
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan performs in extravagant feathers on stage at Midsummer Music, Wembley Stadium, 21st June 1975.

14
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan wears a Native American-inspired ensemble while performing in Toronto, Canada circa 1970.

15
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan delivers flowing feathers and arm adornments in this photo taken in the early 70s.

Read More

Op-Ed
Biden Should Add 'The CAREN Act' to His List of Executive Ac...
News
An Inauguration Day of ‘History and Hope’
Ledisi And Columbus Short To Play Mahalia Jackson And Martin...
News
Rihanna, Reagan Gomez, And More React To Trump Being Out Of ...
Entertainment
Twitter Wants Janelle Monáe To Be The Next Willy Wonka, Her...
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now