Look of the Week: Forget the Naked Dress, Kendall Jenner Makes the Case for Underwear as Outerwear
Kendall Jenner recently made a striking appearance on the L’Oréal Paris womenswear runway, donning a vivid red Mugler gown that featured a daring cut across her right shoulder, revealing a coordinating bra underneath. This eye-catching detail evoked memories of iconic fashion moments like Lil’ Kim’s purple jumps at the VMAs, which took place 26 years prior.
Jenner’s Mugler moment exemplified a resurging trend of sporting underwear as outerwear. Earlier this month, at the Nensi Dojaka runway show in London, boxy blazers were casually draped over strappy bras, while sheer paneled bustiers were styled with capri trousers, reinvented as chic going-out tops. At Erdem, brasseries were boldly left visible, marking a shift for a brand favored by both British acting elite and actual royalty, like the Duchess of Cambridge. Dolce & Gabbana also embraced this trend, showcasing satin corsets, garter belts, and cone bras reminiscent of Madonna’s Milan Fashion.
This trend isn’t limited to the catwalk. During the inaugural of her ‘Short n Sweet’ event on Monday, singer Sabrina Carpenter took the stage in a bespoke Victoria’s Secret bodysuit and stockings. YouTube sensation and singer Jojo Siwa turned the trend on its head by wearing a codpiece for a headline-grabbing photoshoot with LadyGunn magazine, this 15th-century undergarment embellished with skin-toned gemstones.
The concept of showcasing intimate apparel in public is not a novel idea. Marie Antoinette was a trailblazer in this fashion rebellion, famously posing for a portrait in 1783 while wearing a white muslin chemise-like gown—essentially her underwear. The trend surged in popularity during the 1980s, spurred by runway presentations from Anna Sui and Jean-Paul Gaultier.
