Style Evolution: Romeo Tan
A look back at the actor's transformation from Star Search finalist to leading man.


Star Search 2010 finals
The tacky trench screams “flasher” but thankfully Romeo distracted us with abs-tastic bod.

Star Search 2010 finals
Baby-faced Romeo looked like he was ready to seal the deal in holy matrimony at the Star Search finals in 2010.

Star Awards 2011 Show 1
This purple...thing...is a far cry from the fitted jackets Romeo wears today.

Star Awards 2011 Show 2
Just when we thought it could not get any worse, Romeo turned up for Show 2 in this caped cowl neck top.
Photos: The Juliet Club

It Takes Two press conference (2012)
With his faux hawk, ashy brown hair, and oversized specs, we’d say that this is the most quintessentially 2006 Romeo has ever looked, except that this photo was taken in 2012. Poor guy threw on too many trends at once and ended up looking fashionably confused.

Don’t Stop Believin press conference (2012)
Romeo’s got the nautical look down pat with the striped top, white bottoms and navy jacket.

BIGBANG pre-launch party (2012)
What’s going on here? There’s a weird pleated shirt, ill-fitting pants and (gasp!) moustache necklace.

Drama 30th Anniversary (2012)
Romeo’s caption for this image was “Go Go Power Ranger!” but we think he is more K-pop star than superhero.

Countdown Show (2012)
We love Romeo in suits but pink isn’t his most flattering colour.
Photo: The Juliet Club

96C Café press conference (2013)
Everything about this look screams 1990s... and that’s not a good thing.

Star Awards 2013 Show 1
Romeo not only won the Rocket Award, he also won the red carpet with this bright blue suit – though we wish it was less crumpled.

Star Awards 2013 Show 2
Romeo’s good looks shine through clearer than ever when keeps it simple in a sharp suit.

Idol Chit Chat at National Museum (2013)
We loved this jacket initially, but someone in our office commented that it looks like a Band-Aid and now we can’t unsee it.
Photo: The Juliet Club

Sudden press conference (2013)
As a lawyer on Sudden, it was only natural for Romeo to attend the press conference cleanly groomed and in a preppy suit.

Star Awards 20 Show 2 (2014)
There were a lot of Great Gatsby-inspired looks during Star Awards 20, and Romeo’s Art Deco-inspired suit is no exception – even if it did make him look like he’d come straight out of a Vegas gambling den.

The Journey: Tumultuous Times press con (2014)
Chiselled abs or not, this marble sweater makes the dashing Romeo look like he was carved from stone.

The Journey: Our Homeland press con (2015)
Aside from the combination of high-waisted pants and a bomber jacket, which makes Romeo look a bit paunchy, this outfit is pretty inoffensive.

Singapore Fashion Week (2015)
We only have one word for Romeo: suave.

PPCTV Mediacorp Awards (2015)
We would have given Romeo an A+ if not for that hideous tiered chain necklace.

The Dream Makers 2 press conference (2015)
Now that he's more matured, it looks like Romeo's favouring timeless wardrobe pieces, such as this brown leather jacket, over trendy ones.

The Dream Makers 2 Charity Gala (2016)
And here we have Romeo looking like an Asian Hugh Hefner in his velvet jacket at the Dream Makers charity gala.

Bonus: Teen Romeo
There's nothing like an old IC photo to show how far you've come in the past decade.

The Road to Star Awards, part 3 (2017)
The studded detailing on Romeo’s jacket collar gave this ensemble a touch of rock star glam.

Star Awards 2017
Romeo’s Formula 1-worthy Dsquared2 getup was one of the night’s more memorable looks (at least among the gents).

Promoting dramas and meeting fans in Cambodia (2017)
Romeo gave us major oppa/Goblin vibes in his thick, cozy coat and white sneakers while promoting When Duty Calls and meeting fans in Cambodia.

2018
Grandpa glasses, tousled hair, denim – Romeo certainly looks the part of a budding photographer in this hipster-worthy getup.

Star Award 2018
At first we were ready to groan at another black and white award show getup from Romeo, but the chinoiserie-inspired print on his suit jacket redeemed the whole look for us.

Say Cheese press conference (2018)
A colleague pointed out that Romeo resembles the Don Don Donki penguin mascot in this outfit (blame it on the colour of his turtleneck), and we can't say we disagree.

All Is Well press conference (2018)
Watch model posey-pose aside, how suave does Romeo look in this navy pinstripe suit? He should just change his wardrobe to suits already.

Huawei P30 Series launch (2019)
Looks like Romeo's penchant for purple jackets hasn't abated. Not the most flattering shade on the actor but at least it is more sophisticated than that drapey mess he wore to his first Star Awards.

Star Awards 2019
Not another velvet suit. Well, at least he looks dapper.

Bonia event (2019)
We don't know which we like more: Romeo's plaid suit or the one-of-a-kind Bonia backpack he designed himself.

Mediacorp Chinese New Year 2020 music video
We once had a pillow that looked like this shirt, except we’re pretty sure we drooled on the pillow more than we ever drooled over Romeo.

Jungle Survivor (2020)
Romeo cut a suave figure in a tailored ocean blue suit that he wore while filming Jungle Survivor.

2020
Romeo is definitely one who wears his heart on his sleeve.

Chinese New Year music video (2021)
Guess Romeo didn't get the memo about the purple jackets.

Old Soul (2021)
Romeo got a glimpse of how he would look in 50 years when he transformed into an "ah gong" for upcoming drama Soul Old Yet So Young.

Old Soul (2021)
Ah gong Romeo acting hip.

River Hongbao (2021)
Present Romeo acting hip.

2021
Did Romeo wake up like this? Lookin' hot!