Top 20 RuPauls Drag Race Runway Themes
#20: Angelic White
“Roast in Peace”
This proved that even the simplest ideas can garner the most gorgeous results. After the roast and fake funeral of Lady Bunny, Ru decided to continue the bit by having everybody hit the stage in their most angelic attire. There was no shortage of spectacular white gowns, and everyone who wore one looked beautiful. However, a few queens added their unique spin. Naomi Smalls stunned in a Prince-inspired look, complete with a guitar. While Monét X Change wowed the judges in an extraordinary Pope-like outfit. It even came with a long train and bedazzled mitre. It just goes to show that no matter how straightforward the prompt seems, some queens will find a way to make it their own.
#19: Wigs on Wigs on Wigs
“The Bitchelor”
This category isn’t just fun, it’s also apparently a reference to Season 5’s “Whip My Hair” lip sync, when Roxxxy Andrews delivered a sickening wig reveal. The “All Stars” 3 competitors were tasked with showing off their own surprise hair, ranging from straightforward to hilarious. Aja, in particular, had the genius idea to hold up a cutout of giant anime hair, before dropping it to uncover her wigs. Meanwhile, Trixie Mattel and BenDeLaCreme opted to display new outfits along with their hairpieces. And who could forget the campy delight that was Shangela coming out as an ear of corn? Overall, it was a fun twist and the perfect homage to a classic moment from the show.
#18: Chaps on the Runway
“The Daytona Wind”
Chaps can somehow make even the simplest look seem trendy, and the queens definitely showcased how to infuse them with both chic and sexiness. The main standout was Lady Camden, who pretended to trip and lose her wig, only to reveal a mustache instead. That she was able to take such a prompt and give us an iconic reveal is a testament to her undeniable creativity. Of course, everyone else came through and slayed as well. Daya Betty’s business suit and Bosco’s hippie-inspired garb showed the versatility of chaps as an accessory that can complement everything. This theme allowed everyone to feel comfortable and confident in themselves, which is an automatic win in our book!
#17: Night of a Thousand RuPaul’s
“Snatch Game”
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While there have been many “Night of a Thousand” categories on the show, the original honored the diva herself, RuPaul. This theme not only allowed each queen to model their own version of an iconic Ru look, it also provided the audience with insight into the host’s history. A majority opted for her well-known dresses, while slightly tweaking them. Bianca, in particular, pointed out that she was dressed as an “age-appropriate” version of the star. However, it was Milk who blew everyone out of the water by daring to wear a suit and bald cap to portray “Werkroom Ru”. While she got some pushback, Milk’s normalization of traditional masculine garments allowed future queens to confidently rock pants of their own.
#16: The Color Purple
“One-Queen Show”
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Themes centered around colors are always stunning, and what better choice than that of royalty? This Season 12 challenge showed how just one hue can inspire people in different ways. There were so many different representations of the color and drag itself. We had gorgeous garments, like Jaida Essence Hall’s, that showed just how polished pageant drag can be. On the flip side, Gigi pulled off a stellar reference to Daphne from “Scooby-Doo!,” while Crystal stood out as a fashionable version of the Purple-People Eater. Each interpretation showed off a different facet of the artform, speaking to how valid and sickening they all are. Regardless of the creative direction they took, every single queen looked drop dead gorgeous.
#15: The Pleather Principle
“Snatch Game”
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The All-Winners season was a fashion showcase, and ‘The Pleather Principle’ runway was just the tip of the iceberg. When one thinks of pleather, they may think of classic leather jackets or pants. However, it was clear from the beginning that these queens weren’t taking the easy route. Whether they went for bright, vivid colors or a darker palette, these legends presented a set of seductive and stylish outfits. Clearly, everyone had polished their aesthetics to a T, and it was genuinely inspiring to be able to witness their growth in real time. This runway was the perfect introduction to “All Stars” 7, pairing perfectly with the strong Snatch Game that preceded it to give us one of the season’s most beloved episodes.
#14: Animal Kingdom Couture
“Drag Queens of Talk”
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The animal kingdom is vast, and many of the creatures within it are naturally patterned. This makes it a fantastic concept for a runway category. Each contestant showcased their creativity by donning costumes which transformed them into different creatures. Critters of all sizes were represented, from elephants to flies, offering everyone a chance to step outside their comfort zones. Bianca drifted from her regular aesthetic, adopting a fierce leopard look with matching face paint, while Trinity stunned in a phoenix-inspired ensemble. But it was Courtney Act who topped the spectacle with a massive pair of eagle wings that fanned out at the perfect moment. It’s times like this that demonstrate why Season 6 was so well-loved.
#13: Eleguence After Dark
“Super Girl Groups, Henny!”
A classic, elegant gown will never go out of fashion. The girls got to show off their sophisticated style as they sauntered down the runway in gorgeous dresses. They all managed to adjust it to their own personal style, such as Trinity the Tuck’s hip cutouts and Naomi Smalls’ avant-garde edge. Monique Heart even incorporated an equally stunning nude illusion. However, even those who kept things simple were still dressed to the nines. It was an opportunity for everyone to maximize their joint slay, and they definitely succeeded. This being an “All Stars” season meant that everyone got to show how much their eye for style had evolved since their original appearance on the show.
#12: Bearded and Beautiful
“ShakesQueer”
After Milk's surprising beard reveal in season six, RuPaul asked her queens to lend their own glamor to facial hair. Trixie Mattel took the opportunity to blend the romance of a mythical goddess with a beard ripped straight from Jesus. Mrs. Kasha Davis rocked an intriguingly androgynous outfit, while Violet Chachki's retro look questioned traditional gender imagery. Though Kennedy's scruff was a bit rugged, Jasmine Masters decided to just draw stubble on her face. Spacey creations like Kandy Ho's avant-garde Fu Manchu and Pearl's crimson shards also lent some surreal qualities to the week's selections. This update on a once-criticized outfit decision showed ingenuity from contestants and open minds from the judges.
#11: Mermaid Fantasy
“Snatch Game”
Mermaids are some of the most alluring and enigmatic mythological entities, making them the perfect inspiration for a runway category. To keep the fantasy, everyone wore a tail, and was pushed down the runway in a wheelchair. You’d think that this would diminish their presentations, but instead, it made the small details pop even more. Asia O’Hara made a splash, literally, with her fish mask, and Aquaria showed a dark, yet realistic depiction of a modern mermaid caught in an oil spill. Queens like Kameron Michaels, on the other hand, opted to display the classic beauty of these fictional creatures. Regardless of the route they took, they all served in their own way and definitely made the undersea beauties proud.
#10: What’s Your Sign?
“Good God Girl, Get Out”
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This is a fan favorite, and it’s clear to see why. The contestants had the opportunity to showcase their interpretation of their respective Zodiac signs on the main stage. With 12 different options available, the queens certainly had a large pool to choose from. Even if a sign was repeated, it still managed to be translated differently. Each competitor demonstrated an impressive attention to detail, highlighting just how much thought and care they put into the theme. Vanessa “Vanjie” Mateo stole the spotlight in her Libra regalia, complete with a giant scale hanging from her head. The category was so well-received that some fans can’t help but hope it’ll be recycled – or should we say Rucycled – in a future season.
#9: Club Kid Couture
“Your Pilot’s on Fire”
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It’s always a treat when the show references another facet of LGBTQ+ culture. Clubs Kids are a staple in the community’s history, with RuPaul herself having been one in her youth. They were known for their eclectic and fashion-forward attire. So, to say that people were excited about it is an understatement. The queens themselves were ecstatic, and even discussed the performers’ importance to not only the club scene, but fashion in general. On the main stage, they each showed off their rendition of the assignment, and the result was everything. Each was an homage to the subculture in some way, with standouts including Shea’s Leigh Bowery-inspired attire, and Peppermint, who incorporated her own name into her overall presentation.
#8: Two Looks in One
“Drag Movie Shequels”
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Violet Chachki's outfit-within-an-outfit on season seven shocked Carson Kressley, and spawned a runway theme driven by reveals. Where most queens merged two costumes, Detox evolved a short dress into a coat and then a club-ready unitard. Roxxxy Andrews followed a Spanish theme with her flamenco look, which she transformed into a Latina pop star ensemble. The combat-ready look from Phi Phi only got fancier when it burst into a gold ball gown. Alaska's nightmarish mass of black cloth left the panel lost for words until she emerged as Lil' Pound Cake. Whether it was motif consistency or unexpectedly perfect combinations, everyone had their own take on this theme.
#7: Fantasy Hair Extravaganza
“RuPaul’s Hair Extravaganza”
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The first two rounds of Ru's hair-themed fashion show were pretty standard, and their locks simply accented certain styles. The last category however asked for an outfit made out of wigs! The sheer range of colors and candy-inspired details from Raja was totally unbelievable. There was plenty of buzz around Manila's bee costume and Shangela's ragged warrior had its own furry weapon. Yara Sofia went above and beyond with her hairy bra and she gave a new meaning to poodle skirts. Sofia's additional leaning beehive and curly purse also left us gagging. All these outside-the-box interpretations on the 'Fantasy Hair Extravaganza' wowed judges as much as viewers.
#6: Post-Apocalyptic
“RuPocalypse Now”
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Season four had an impressive start, thanks to a challenge that mixed garbage with a lot of glam. Lashauwn Beyond's towering hat was only outdone by her elegantly stitched dress. There was a regal power to Phi Phi's garb that was reminiscent of a Tina Turner look. Willam shredded a predictable beauty queen getup to make it look like she'd escaped an explosion. Though Chad and Milan delivered style, no one could hold a candle to Sharon Needles' stellar disco zombie. While it could have been as silly as the 'Derelicte' fashion line from 'Zoolander,' the 'Post-Apocalyptic' category inspired some of the fiercest looks we’ve seen across the entire franchise.
#5: All Glowed Up
“The Kennedy Davenport Center Honors Hall of Shade”
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When the “All Winners” season was first announced, the expectations for everyone’s style were already high. This idea took those expectations and exceeded them. For this episode, the queens got to strut the stage in glow-in-the-dark ensembles, resulting in one of the most elevated runways ever. Seeing the transformation from a seemingly normal outfit to a radiant display of bright lights was truly breathtaking. A couple even incorporated the bulbs into their wigs, creating a more immersive experience. Each individual concept was meticulously thought out and perfectly executed, but we have to shout out Jinkx, whose historical reference to the witch trials left an indelible mark. Suffice it to say, there wasn’t a single boot to be found among this lineup of champions.
#4: Half Man, Half Queen
“Prancing Queens”
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With the feminine focus that usually goes into 'Drag Race,' the ‘Half Man, Half Queen’ theme pushed everyone to up the testosterone levels. For Ginger Minj's western aesthetic, this meant tassels, rhinestones and facial hair that stopped right down the middle of her face. While Trixie Mattel's cowboy didn't tie-in well with her cowgirl, each character was beautifully defined when she was filmed in profile. Kennedy did a great job contrasting each gender, and Pearl used her makeup to create a visual split between her roles. Violet was one of the few contestants to wear opposing footwear and her mustache was a simple but effective touch. The dance challenge highlighted the strengths of each appearance as well, bringing some extra fun to this gender-bending episode.
#3: Hello Kitty
“Hello, Kitty Girls!”
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For Katya's unique version of a Hello Kitty doll, she created a comically tacky babushka who loved socialism. Pearl's Madonna-influenced gangster kitty was equally goofy while Kennedy even tried to fit her personal look to the kitty theme. With her lovely meat-tag earring, Ginger's southern cow took advantage of other animals from the Japanese brand. Violet built a beautiful headpiece out of merchandise for the second part of the theme, and turned pins into jewel-like details. Though Katya designed a luscious catsuit, Kennedy's Catwoman outfit tied in the Hello Kitty products much better. Interestingly enough, Pearl stood out for her minimalistic use of the pink memorabilia. The creative results of the 'Hello Kitty' challenge showed viewers that brand-heavy runways could still be exciting.
#2: Latex Extravaganza
“All Stars Snatch Game”
Rubber hit the runway on the second week of All Stars 2, for looks that were skin-tight and visually distinct. While Roxxxy Andrews created a Janet Jackson-style frock, Alaska transformed her black latex into something out of a futuristic dance club. Alyssa Edwards started in black too, but her yellow dress reveal was loud and preppy. Phi Phi O'Hara even added some rubber duck jewelry to her ensemble to highlight its nautical aesthetic. Detox brought a rare thigh-gap to the show in her stunning red suit, and sported a matching headpiece as well. With its glossy fabric and plenty of sex appeal, the Latex Extravaganza put form to the forefront.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Bead It, “Bossy Rossy: The RuBoot”
The Queens Took to the Stage in Intricate Beaded Looks, Ranging From Classy to Campy
Black Wedding, “Droop”
This Theme Took the Classic Bridal Runway and Gave It a Fun, Dark Twist
Feathers, “Tap That App”
Feathers of Every Shade and Hue Were Represented in This Fun Yet Glamorous Runway
Last Ball on Earth, “The Last Ball on Earth”
The Contestants Served Three Different Looks Centered Around Drag at the End of the World
Puffa Please, “The Daytona Wind 2”
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#1: Death Becomes Her
“Ru Hollywood Stories”
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To bring humor and elegance to the afterlife, Ginger Minj placed herself in a bear skin and used entrails as a necklace. Though Katya was already a sickening captain with flashy sequins, her half-eaten shark foot was a hilarious touch. Pearl also had us in tears when she roasted Kennedy's confusing animalistic outfit. Jaidynn told a surprisingly detailed story for her prison zombie, and gave her barbed wire details intriguing depth. Violet risked her life for fashion with a cinch so unbelievably tight that Ariana Grande screamed at the reveal. Between blood, weapons and body parts, 'Death Becomes Her' has cemented itself as one of the most memorable themes in 'Drag Race' herstory.
Which category do you think the queens slayed the hardest? Let us know in the comments below!
