All the best revenge dresses in fashion history

Like so many enduring trends in modern fashion, we can thank Princess Diana for the concept of the “revenge dress.”

Famously, the late Princess of Wales birthed the fashion statement in 1994, when she attended a gala at the Serpentine Gallery in London on the same night that her husband, now King Charles III, held an interview to address his infidelity during their marriage. Instead of shying away from the press, Diana decided to pull out a look she’d been holding onto for three years: a ruched, off-the-shoulder little black dress from Christina Stambolian.

This show-stopping design, with its chiffon train and asymmetrical hem, was paired with matching black pumps and a timeless pearl choker. It was a look that was elegant, sexy, and powerful. Diana wanted “to look a million dollars,” and boy did she ever.

Since this moment, many women have found power in the concept of “revenge dressing,” using their style as a means to show the world that they won’t be defined or diminished by their relationships and the partners who have potentially wronged them. It’s also a way to show that these women are in control of their narrative, and it’s a liberating move that has been employed by the likes of Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and most recently, Lily Allen—who wore an angelic, skin-baring look a mere week after releasing her confessional divorce album, West End Girl.

Ahead, take a look through some of the best revenge dresses of all time.

Princess Diana (1994)

On the same night that a then-Prince Charles confessed to adultery on national television, Princess Diana stepped out in a stunning black dress from Christina Stambolian that ensured she was the one grabbing all the headlines. The next day, news outlets called it her “I’ll show you dress,” her “vengeance dress,” and her “revenge dress.” The rest is history.

Mariah Carey (1997)

In 1997, Mariah Carey was ready for a new chapter. After splitting from her husband and manager, Tommy Mottola, the R&B superstar arrived at the MTV Video Music Awards in a two-piece ensemble from Calvin Klein that shattered the “good girl” image she’d been building up to that point, ushering in a new, sexier era for Carey. For her, this was just the beginning.

Elizabeth Hurley (2000)

Elizabeth Hurley dated Hugh Grant for 13 years, even through a scandal in the mid-’90s, where Grant was caught soliciting the services of a sex worker. However, despite making it through all that, the couple eventually called it quits in the spring of 2000. They called it an “amicable” separation, but when Hurley hit the red carpet for the Valentino 40th Anniversary to Benefit Children’s Action Network event, she wore a plunging gold dress that let him know exactly what he’d be missing.

Britney Spears (2002)

Immediately following her breakup from Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears attended the premiere of her film Crossroads in a mirrorball minidress from Julien Macdonald, which she accessorised with dazzling matching jewels. While the look was enough to make anyone eat their heart out, Spears also took the opportunity to pose for a few shots alongside her hunky co-star, Anson Mount.

Jennifer Aniston (2005)

After her highly publicised split from Brad Pitt (and his quick transition into a new relationship with Angelina Jolie), Jennifer Aniston got her moment when she walked the red carpet at the premiere of her movie Derailed in a sparkling, champagne-colored midi dress from Chanel that proved why she was still America’s sweetheart.

Reese Witherspoon (2007)

In the months following the news that Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe were divorcing, the Legally Blonde star remained out of the public eye. However, she made a glorious return to the red carpet in January 2007, when she attended the Golden Globes in a radiant yellow dress with a strapless bodice and twisted-cord waistline by Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci. Oh, and she debuted a brand-new haircut, too.

Rihanna (2014)

One of Rihanna’s most iconic looks—the glittering mesh Adam Selman-designed naked dress that she wore to the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards—is believed to have been a revenge dress moment. The look was supposedly a message to Drake, whom the Barbadian singer dated on and off for years throughout the 2010s. Of course, Rihanna herself put it best years later, when she said: “Every time a man cheats on you or treats you badly, you need a revenge dress. Every woman knows that.”

Bella Hadid (2017)

One year after walking the Met Gala red carpet with her then-boyfriend, the Weeknd, Bella Hadid returned to the fundraiser event to find her pop star ex in attendance with his new beau, Selena Gomez. No matter, because Hadid made a statement all on her own as she walked the Met steps in a beaded, black mesh catsuit from Alexander Wang. The look featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and a plunging back, and Hadid actually had to be sewn into the look. Now that’s revenge dressing commitment.

Jennifer Lopez (2024)

A month after filing for divorce from her husband of two years, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez arrived at the premiere of her film Unstoppable in a shimmering, disco ball-like design from Tamara Ralph. Along the sides, the cape dress featured skin-baring cutouts that were held together with rows of black velvet bows, still managing to deliver plenty of side-boob in the process. While the past few weeks had been all about “Bennifer,” that night, all attention was turned to J.Lo.

Nicole Kidman (2025)

In the wake of the news that she and Keith Urban were getting a divorce, Nicole Kidman stepped out in a stunning bombshell look as part of the Vogue World: Hollywood event. Channelling classic Hollywood starlets like Rita Hayworth, Kidman walked the runway in an elegant black strapless dress from Chanel, which she paired with dramatic, blown-out waves.

Lily Allen (2025)

A little over a week after releasing her fifth studio album, West End Girl, which detailed her divorce from actor David Harbour, Lily Allen made a surprise appearance at the 2025 CFDA Awards in an angelic ensemble from Colleen Allen. The look consisted of a barely-there bra top and matching slip skirt, completed with a majestic cape coat that Allen draped over her arms.

This article originally appeared on harpersbazaar.com.

All images: Getty Images

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