Kendall Jenner made waves on Monday as she graced the runway at L’Oréal Paris’s “Le Defile L’ Oreal Paris: Walk Your Worth” show during Paris Fashion Week, showcasing a striking scarlet red gown by Mugler that seemed to pay homage to iconic moments in fashion history. With a daring slash across her right shoulder, the gown revealed a matching denier bra, evoking memories of Lil’ Kim’s memorable VMAs ensemble from 1999.
In that famous moment, Kim’s asymmetrical jumpsuit left her left breast exposed, save for a matching nipple pasty, making Jenner’s look a contemporary nod to that boldness.
This moment on the runway is just one instance of the resurging trend of underwear as outerwear. Earlier this month at the Nensi Dojaka show in London, boxy blazers were paired with strappy bras, while sheer panelled bustiers were styled with capri trousers, pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion. Even at Erdem, brasseries were left exposed, a surprising turn for a brand favored by both British acting royalty and actual royalty. At Milan Fashion Week, Dolce & Gabbana showcased satin corsets, garter belts, and cone bras reminiscent of Madonna’s daring style, further emphasizing this daring trend. Florence Pugh even embraced this aesthetic on the cover of British Vogue, wearing a dress that artfully framed her bra.
The trend isn’t confined to the catwalk. Singer Sabrina Carpenter dazzled during the opening of her “Short n’ Sweet” tour in a custom Victoria’s Secret bodysuit adorned with over 150,000 crystals, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship that went into creating her strapless pink lace-trimmed leotard. Meanwhile, YouTube star Jojo Siwa turned heads with a modern take on the codpiece for a cover shoot, adorned with flesh-colored gemstones—a clear inversion of the current fad.
While it may appear that A-listers are indulging in a game of strip poker, the idea of wearing undergarments as outerwear is far from new. Historical figures like Marie Antoinette embraced this sartorial freedom, famously posing in a white chemise-like gown in 1783, essentially showcasing her underwear. The trend gained momentum in the 1980s, thanks to fashion visionaries like Anna Sui and Jean-Paul Gaultier, who redefined undergarments as fashionable statements.
Kendall Jenner has already established herself as a pioneer in this realm, notably forgoing trousers in favor of tights back in 2022. With the underwear-as-outerwear movement gaining traction, fashion enthusiasts eagerly await to see what daring statement she—and other fashion-forward celebrities—will make next.
