Chethma De Mel, Jadetimes Staff
C. J. De Mel is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment News
On Monday, Kendall Jenner brought traffic to a halt on the runway of the L'Oréal Paris womenswear show in a show-stopping scarlet Mugler gown. The dress boasted a dramatic cut-out across Jenner's right shoulder, complete with a matching denier bra underneath. The look immediately brought to mind Lil' Kim's purple jumpsuit at the 1999 VMAs-where the rapper's left breast was famously exposed except for a matching purple pasty. Jenner's outfit seemed to nod to Lil' Kim's getup by reimagining it through a fashion flash from decades prior.
Jenner's Mugler moment is but the latest in a growing trend of turning underwear into outerwear. At the recent Nensi Dojaka show in London, models hit the catwalk in structured blazers layered over strappy bras, while sheer-paneled bustiers were worn as statement tops over capri pants. But at Erdem, a house responsible for dressing British stars such as Kristin Scott Thomas and the Duchess of Cambridge, lingerie was also front and centre down the catwalk. Dolce & Gabbana also jumped on board, offering satin corsets, garter belts and Madonna-esque cone bras during the Milan shows. Actress Florence Pugh also wore one of its bold pieces for her British Vogue cover, where a plunging neck framed her naked bra.
This trend does not stop at fashion shows; it finds its place in stage performances and editorial shoots alike. On the first evening of her "Short n' Sweet" tour, singer Sabrina Carpenter wore a custom Victoria's Secret bodysuit and stockings, bedazzled with more than 150,000 crystals. YouTube star Jojo Siwa took to playing with the idea, wearing a rhinestone-studded codpiece for her recent LadyGunn magazine cover shoot, updating this centuries-old undergarment for the modern age.
While underwear-as-outerwear may seem an ubiquitous trend among today's celebrities, it has historical roots. First, in 1783, Marie Antoinette raised eyebrows for a portrait showcasing her in a white muslin gown made from what then constituted an undergarment, called the chemise. Much later, come the 1980s, the trend continued, with the likes of Anna Sui making the babydoll slip dresses party wear and Jean-Paul Gaultier redefining fashion with his now-signature cone bra designs.
Kendall Jenner has become the face of this trend after having initially abandoned trousers for tights back in 2022. And as this style continues to gain even more momentum, the fashion world indeed will be holding its breath while waiting for what Jenner-and everybody else-says next.
