The 20 Best Self-Made Drag Race Ball Looks in Herstory – Including Season 17! (PART 1)

The RuPaul’s Drag Race ball has swiftly become one of the most beloved challenges in the show’s history.

It offers the competitors a chance to put all of their skills on the table: their fashion sense, creativity, resourcefulness and taste, but also their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.

And for Drag Race fans, it’s also become one of the leading challenges in determining which queens will go far in the competition.

The best bit of every ball challenge, though, is seeing what the queens can scrape together with a few bits of fabric and some unconventional materials. Is it possible to make a couture gown out of swimming pools, sleeping bags and tent poles? Apparently so.

We’ve taken a look back at the 20 best ball looks ever from all RuPaul-helmed seasons – but only considered the looks the queens made themselves.

20. Widow Von’Du (RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12)

With this look, Widow Von’Du managed to create a sort-of gown that Alexander McQueen would have thought up had he been looking for inspiration at the local Pets at Home.

It had flaws, sure – the undergarments and shoes – and Gigi Goode and Jaida Essence Hall still performed best in the season 13 ball overall. But Von’Du deserves some respect for crafting a look unlike any that had come before.

19. Marmalade/Lill/Chanel O’Connor (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season six)

We’re considering this a ball, as the queens were grouped together for their looks. On the “Stitch and Strut” episode of Drag Race UK season six, Marmalade, Lill and Chanel O’Connor were teamed up to create a cohesive, rags-to-riches fashion collection.

While world record holder Marmalade was the standout, with her cerulean, Bob Mackie-esque drapework and Met Gala-ready headpiece, Lill and Chanel were also impressive. It feels right to put all three of them here.

18. Alexis Mateo (All Stars 5)

Thanks to the bizarre All Stars 5 rules, Alexis Mateo actually ended up being eliminated during the season’s ball challenge.

And yes, her constructed look – made from fabric, plastic party cups and a child’s paddling pool (!) – wasn’t flawless, but it was a display of audacious craftsmanship that deserves some recognition.

17. Shea Couleé (RuPaul’s Drag Race season nine)

Shea Couleé is one of just a few queens in Drag Race history who has had the pleasure of taking on not one, not two, but three ball challenges. You could say then, that Couleé knows how to handle her balls.

However, out of the three, she’s only won once, during the season nine “Gayest Ball Ever”. Arguably, it was her design look in the “Village People Eleganza Extravaganza” category that clinched the win because, frankly, she reminded us of Bob the Builder.

With a train made out of denim and plaid, a tilted construction helmet and knee-high Timberland-style boots, Couleé built herself quite a reputation.

16. Pangina Heals (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World season one)

Look, it’s common knowledge that Drag Race Thailand judge Pangina Heals was robbed during her entire time on Drag Race UK vs The World season one, but we’d like to make a specific case that she was mugged during the ball challenge especially.

First, her “Kitty Girl” couture was arguably the best look of the entire season, while her constructed “You Wear It Well” garment was fashion week runway ready. From her tasselled head piece down to her glittery pumped toes, Pangina fully understood the assignment.

15. Sasha Colby (RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15)

Now, this may simply be because Sasha Colby could wear Rita Ora’s Primark collection and still look like an ethereal goddess ready for Paris Fashion Week, but the trans legend really sold it with her ball look on season 15. After all, that’s why she won.

We’re not too sure what the need was for the bits of material poking out from her arms, but the gem-encrusted torso piece alone was enough to make this a massive toot. Sasha, we salute you.

14. Scarlet Envy (All Stars 6)

Sometimes, things are very, very wrong. The All Stars 6 “Blue Ball” was one of those instances. While Ra’Jah O’Hara was a worthy winner and Kylie Sonique Love deserved the praise she got, it was sad to see Scarlet Envy – currently serving international excellence on Drag Race UK vs The World season two – snubbed.

Her glittering, navy fishtail gown in the “Blue Ball Bonanza” category was simply one of the most expertly constructed looks to hit the runway, and she made it appear effortless.

13. Naomi Smalls (RuPaul’s Drag Race season eight)

Perhaps a controversial choice, considering it was Kim Chi’s floral frock that snatched the win in season eight. But what queen can say that her looks have inspired Mama Ru herself, other tthan Naomi Smalls.

In her original season, she impressed the judges with her crumpled paper couture, so much so that for the season nine promotional image, RuPaul appeared to wear a fabric replica of it.

12. Arrietty (RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17)

Arrietty’s time on season 17 might have taken a turn for the tumultuous at the end of her run, thanks to her ill-fated mirror message to Onya Nurve, but as much as the fans can dislike what she wrote, they can’t erase her talent. Across all three design challenges this season, Arrietty delivered high-class, innovative looks.

Her red gown on episode three, complete with puffy sleeves attached to the hem, keyhole cutout and structured, alien-princess style hair, was one of the season’s best looks, full stop. Her ball look though? She deserved that win and then some.

11. Gottmik (All Stars 9)

Gottmik won the ball challenge in season 13, though a large portion of the Drag Race fandom felt it unjust. Yet, coming back for All Stars 9, the trans icon made them all eat their words. Her “Paint Ball Eleganza” look on the season was a high fashion punk rock feast for the eyes, proving instantly why she’s considered one of the franchise’s best-ever fashion divas.

She gets extra props for her simple-yet-chic “New Friends Silver, Old Friends Gold” chain look later on in All Stars 9, which she accessorised with a padlock handbag. Ugh, her mind.