A truly stylish outfit should leave you wondering, “Was this intentional?” Lately, the fashion world has been brimming with audacious statements that appear almost accidental. We've witnessed plenty of peek-a-boo thongs and endured the pantless party. So, what's next on the horizon? It's time to pay homage to a long-standing wardrobe malfunction: the exposed bra.
Purposefully flaunting one's brassiere isn't exactly synonymous with high fashion. In fact, it often conjures images of ill-fitting tops, layering mishaps, and, for some, a lack of taste. It's different from wearing a sheer blouse over a dark bralette, which can exude a refined allure. It's more chaotic than using a bra as a top, which somehow appears intentional and therefore acceptable. Unfortunately, the unfortunate truth about the peeking bandeau is that it evokes a certain sense of immaturity—the struggle of navigating your first bra.
Picture the eager middle schooler, freshly armed with a La Senza shopping spree, ready to showcase their bedazzled neon trainer. Or think of Cady Heron, desperately seeking validation and popularity in Mean Girls, donning a pleather tube dress accentuated by overly bright straps. In the mainstream zeitgeist of 2023, there's an element of embarrassing naivety embedded in the image of an exposed bra. But it seems that's starting to change.
This polarizing style choice is poised to become a defining trend for the summer, and we have the Cannes Film Festival to thank for it. On the French Riviera, A-list celebrities are boldly and proudly embracing their own interpretations of bra-strap couture. Scarlett Johansson's Prada ensemble created the illusion of a strapless baby pink column dress with a white bra peeking through. Days earlier, Euphoria's Sydney Sweeney wore a pale Miu Miu negligée with darker straps subtly visible.
Throughout the week, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley channeled movie star glamour in bedazzled Fendi couture featuring a prominent undergarment, while model Cindy Bruna opted for a multicolored Vivienne Westwood gown with an exposed corset. Elsa Hosk donned a surrealist Viktor & Rolf slanted ballgown that revealed nude undergarment boning. So, to revisit the question posed earlier: Yes, each of these daring undergarment slips is undeniably intentional. And at Cannes, that means something.
This is not a high school dance or Cady Heron's ill-fated house party. Cannes is an esteemed annual destination for Hollywood's upper crust, known for its demand for decorum. (Remember, heels are an unspoken requirement, and selfies are a big no-no.) With so many attendees choosing to showcase their undergarments, one can't help but wonder: Are the tides turning for this once-maligned style?
The evidence overwhelmingly points to “yes.” On-display undergarments made a comeback on the Fall 2022 runways of renowned fashion houses like Bottega Veneta and Versace. On the red carpet, Lily James was an early adopter (or offender, depending on who you ask) of this reimagined trend. In February 2023, she confidently sported a vibrant green Miu Miu dress with a white bra strap boldly displayed in the center of her back, sparking both confusion and intrigue.
To critics, this look may evoke memories of garish Y2K style. But what is “tackiness” if not a celebration of taking fashion risks? Love it or hate it, the exposed bra serves as a testament to personal style. Amy Winehouse fearlessly showcased contrasting straps against sultry body-con dresses in the 2000s. Nicki Minaj's vibrant hot pink bras were an integral part of her bubblegum Barbie persona during the 2000s and early 2010s. And let's not forget Carrie Bradshaw, the staunch advocate of boldness, who famously incorporated exposed undergarment into her outfits on Sex and the City, solidifying her status as a style icon.
As this controversial trend garners renewed attention on modern red carpets, it elicits mixed reactions. But in reality, the exposed undergarment encompasses all the elements of a great fashion statement: a touch of mystery, a hefty dose of boldness, and, most importantly, a healthy amount of confusion.