Eurovision song contest: the most eye-catching outfits – in pictures

In 2014 Conchita Wurst represented Austria with ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ in a relatively low key gold brocade dress Photograph: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images

This 1974 frou-frou nightmare of a dress makes Olivia Newton-John look more net curtain than person. Trois points. Photograph: Dezo Hoffmann/Rex Features

Donatan and Cleo from Poland sang ‘My Slowianie - We Are Slavic’ in possibly national dress with a high street twist. Strong hair though. Photograph: Rolf Klatt/REX Shutterstock Photograph: Rolf Klat/REX_Shutterstock

In 2006, Finnish rockers Lordi won Eurovision while wearing masks presumably fashioned from packets of ham. Sept points for creativity. Photograph: Yiorgos Karahalis/Reuters

Abba’s Agnetha and Björn demonstrate the classic Eurovision style template in 1974: shiny all-in-one outfits and even shinier knee-length boots. Frida, meanwhile, demonstrates another key 70s trend: rodeo chic. Douze points. Photograph: Olle Lindeborg/AFP/Getty Images

A lot to take in from this 2010 Lithuanian entry: business at the top, disco in the middle, school sports kit at the bottom. An entertaining effort. Cinq points. Photograph: Joerg Carstensen/dpa/Alamay

Inspired by the Wizard of Oz’s Tin Man – a woefully neglected fashion reference – there is something fabulous about this polished extravaganza from Ukraine in 2007. The accordion player’s very Saint Laurent sequinned tuxedo is a particular winner. Huit points. Photograph: Johannes Simon/Getty Images

Weren’t we Brits proud when Scooch performed on our behalf in 2007, wearing polyester cabin crew fancy dress? Extra credit for the blonde one’s cummerbund. So that gives them one point, then. Photograph: Heikki Saukkomaa/Rex

In 1978, three years before Cheryl Baker’s Eurovision ‘skirt-removing’ Bucks Fizz moment, she was competing as part of another questionably dressed band, Co-Co. This shiny outfit would be amusing but for the unsettling lack of trousers. Deux points. Photograph: Mike Hollist/Rex

Thanks to Celine spring/summer 2014, pleated midi skirts are incredibly fashionable at the moment. This look, sported by Linda Williams of the Netherlands in 1981, offers a sobering reminder of the perils of the trend. This is an excess of fabric masquerading as an outfit, and it deserves just deux points. Photograph: Pat Maxwell/Rex

How defiant are Ireland’s 1981 entry, Sheeba? With silvery ribboned peplum and alpha epaulettes, their outfits are very Mork & Mindy and quite André Courrèges. Dix points. Kerpow! Photograph: Pat Maxwell/Rex Features

Excellent cyborg references from Azerbaijan, 2009. But while the Lol-factor is high, the mishmash of styles – from Robocop to frilly flamenco skirt to glamour-model corset top – only wins one point. Photograph: Picture Perfect/Rex Features

Iceland’s 2009 entry demonstrates what happens when a contestant eschews Lycra for something a bit princessy, then realises that they need to look Eurovisiony and sticks frills and sparkles everywhere in a panic. Charles James this ain’t, and it doesn’t work on any level. Nul points. Photograph: Itar-Tass/Alamy