Some celebrities see a red carpet and think, “How can I look elegant?” Others see it and think, “How close can I get to being technically clothed?”
This list is all about the latter group. For those of you who can appreciate a “naked” dress, here are the most scandalous, conversation-starting, red carpet looks.
Megan Fox in Mugler, 2021 – MTV VMAs
Megan Fox basically turned the 2021 VMAs into an optical illusion: is she wearing a dress… or just vibes? Megan Fox embodied the “naked dress” trend with her custom Mugler look, a completely sheer nude gown adorned with strategic crystal beading over a sparkling thong and bra. Megan looked like she was fresh out of a very fancy fever dream.
Rihanna in Adam Selman, 2014 – CFDA Awards
When Rihanna does “naked dress,” she doesn’t half-commit. Riri showed up to the CFDA Awards in a gorgeous pink slip dress covered in 30,000 Swarovski crystals, with a matching headscarf and gloves, of course, and a fur stole to cover up strategic places. It was less an outfit and more a declaration: the body as couture.
Cher in Bob Mackie, 1988 – Oscars
Cher won her Best Actress Oscar for Moonstruck in 1988 in a dropping beaded, semi-sheer Bob Mackie gown with a body-skimming silhouette. It was definitely glamorous, but it was also shocking for the Oscars, since it’s usually known to have quite a conservative dress code. But it’s Cher, what did they expect?
Beyoncé in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, 2015 – Met Gala
Let’s set the scene. The year is 2015, and the place is the Met Gala. The theme of the night is “China: Through the Looking Glass.” Beyoncé shows up late. But she made sure it was worth the wait. Queen B wore a sheer Givenchy dress with jewels scattered over sheer tulle, making it seem like the crystals were floating directly on her skin. It was one of the defining “naked dresses” of the decade and proved that Beyoncé does not attend carpets—she finishes them.
Zoë Kravitz in Saint Laurent, 2021 – Met Gala
Zoë Kravitz chose a “minimal fabric—maximum impact” strategy at the 2021 Met Gala. The Saint Laurent version of a named dress actually included the black thong under the chainmail as part of the design. And the best thing about it is that Zoe pulled this look off perfectly, it didn’t look try-hard on her, it just looked effortlessly cool.
Christina Aguilera, 2002 – MTV VMAs
This was a peak early 2000s type of outfit, and Christina definitely loved to take risks. For the 2002 VMAs, she wore the tiniest mini skirt, a scarf as a top (that was honestly struggling to hold in her chest), crimped hair, and enough fake tan for the whole of the VMAs. It was chaotic, there wasn’t a neutral-tone item of clothing in sight, and we loved every second of it.
Toni Braxton in Richard Tyler, 2001 – Grammys
When Toni Braxton showed up to the 2001 Grammys in that “dress,” we’re pretty sure everyone watching thought, “Wait, is that allowed?” The white Richard Tyler dress was basically made up of two thin strips of fabric crossing over her chest and hips, held together by sheer willpower and a small waist strap. It was a very high-risk, high-reward moment for Toni Braxton.
Carmen Electra, 1997 – MTV Awards
In 1997, Carmen Electra arrived at the MTV Awards in a black dress that was basically all cutouts and lacing, exposed sides, and crisscross straps doing the absolute most.
It was one of the early blueprints for the “string holding everything together” trend we still see today—and Carmen wore it with the confidence of someone who knows no one is looking at the backdrop.
Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002 – Oscars
Halle Berry’s 2002 Oscar gown is the rare combo of risqué and historically important. The Elie Saab dress had a sheer, embroidered bodice that showed off Halle’s torso but balanced it out nicely with floral appliqué and a satin skirt. It looked both striking and romantic and was a great outfit for the occasion. That night Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win Best Actress.
Kendall Jenner in Givenchy by Matthew Williams, 2021 – Met Gala
Kendall Jenner’s 2021 Met Gala dress was inspired by the one Audrey Hepburn wore in My Fair Lady dress, except make it way more modern and sparkly. It featured a corseted nude bodysuit underneath and delicate beading over nearly every inch of her body. Old-school glamour, new-school lack of coverage. Audrey walked so Kendall’s naked Givenchy moment could run.
Zendaya in Tom Ford, 2020 – Critics’ Choice Awards
Zendaya wore one of the coolest outfits ever to the 2020 Critics’ Choice Awards. It was a hot pink Tom Ford two-piece that consisted of a maxi skirt and a metallic breastplate perfectly folded to her torso. It looked like fashionable armour, and the whole of the internet agreed that Zendaya looked amazing.
Courtney Love in Christian Dior by John Galliano, 2000 – Golden Globes
Courtney Love showed up at the 2000 Golden Globes in a distressed, deconstructed Dior haute couture gown from John Galliano’s infamous “homeless” collection—think tattered layers, unusual textures, and a silhouette that looked like couture made from trash bags.
It was controversial, messy, and provocative, which is also a pretty solid description of Courtney Love in general.