Revenge is a dish that works best when served with a warm finish. It’s a style strategy that women around the world are using, and it’s never felt more powerful in 2024.
The concept of ‘revenge dress’ came to life exactly 30 years ago today; Diana, Princess of Wales attended the Serpentine summer party wearing the Little Black Dress designed by Greek designer Christina Stambolian.
It was no coincidence that just as her car pulled up, her estranged husband confessed on national television to his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles. Diana, meanwhile, was an absolute knockout and was photographed looking like this by the waiting paparazzi.
“She knew what she was doing that night in 1994 and probably anticipated the impact it would have on the headlines the next day,” says Eloise Moran, author of The Lady Di Lookbook.
We all have a way of exercising vengeful dressing prowess — whether you’re a middle-aged middle-aged person who’s lived through Charles and Diana’s woes in real time and are currently going through your own breakup, or you’re one of the TikTok generation who’s just discovering the concept.
Few did this better than TV presenter Maya Jama, who attended the Brit Awards in 2020 in a black velvet AloNuko dress with a thigh-high slit and sweetheart neckline. That year, she had split from rapper Stormzy, who was also attending the event. Her stylist Kyle de Volle confirmed that the look was directly inspired by a 1994 outfit worn by Princess Diana, just months before Jama was born.
“Diana is up there with my style icons. I love everything about her but especially this look because it’s so different to anything she’s worn before,” De Volle tells The Telegraph. “He did just that and the whole outfit was completely against protocol, knees out, shoulders out, a dark color the royal family usually reserves for mourning.”
“My love for that look has carried over into my styling work,” she continues. “With Maya Jama, Diana was my reference for that moment. Obviously [Jama and Stormzy] “We’re back together now and we all loved it, but at the time we wanted Maya to look amazing. She’s very experimental when it comes to fashion and always up for trying new things, so she was totally into it. She said, ‘Let’s do it.'”
Jama made headlines that night by looking strong, confident and undeniably sexy, exuding “look what you’re missing” energy. Jama is also joined by a cast of famous women who have worn revenge outfits in recent years.
Jerry Hall, freshly divorced from Rupert Murdoch, restarted her modeling career last year, aged 66, by posing in a Thierry Mugler x H&M black minidress in sultry images that showed off her famously long legs with the nonchalance of her last laugh. In recent months, 43-year-old actress Natalie Portman has pushed back against the media narrative of her split from husband of 11 years, Benjamin Millepied, by swapping her usual conservative and elegant style for a striking red suit, blazer minidress and simple jeans. and a white T-shirt emblazoned with a cigarette and Paul Mescal; images that sent social media into a frenzy with speculation about the nature of their relationship.
Does revenge dressing always involve wearing a traditionally sexy dress? De Volle argues that this is not mandatory, saying you can do this to varying degrees. “The whole point of revenge dressing is to shake up your current style, you need to have a look that no one has ever seen you before,” she advises. “This can be achieved with a new haircut, a great pair of heels, or a new makeup look, there’s so much power in even a red lipstick. If you want to show someone what they’re missing, you have to step it up and do something different.”
Unless you’re a celebrity who wants to send your revenge message in an instantly obvious way, you can go more understated, even if you’re wearing a gorgeous outfit in a color or style that your ex doesn’t like or like. joke about. Or take the lead of Nicole Kidman, who, after splitting from Tom Cruise, was suddenly seen wearing high heels again after years of not wanting to top her diminutive ex on the red carpet.
It’s also worth noting that revenge dressing doesn’t have to be pointed at your ex-partner, but can instead be reframed as regaining your individual sense of self and doing something that invigorates and empowers you on your terms. Recently divorced Anita Rani wore a sheer, sparkly dress to the BAFTAs last month and later told The Telegraph that “an Asian woman wearing a revealing dress blows people’s minds.”
You don’t even have to be going through a breakup to wear revenge clothing. Maybe you just quit a job you hated, or you’re recovering from an illness and want to feel in control again — indeed, since the pandemic, the term “revenge shopping” has been coined to describe anyone who goes on a shopping spree to experience the joy of being able to shop and socialize freely again.
There are many brands that specialize in modern, sensual dresses. “David Koma, Nensi Dojaka or, if you’re on a budget, a little Valentino number,” are among de Volle’s recommendations. “For a sexy, sexy number, you’ll turn heads [Koma],” Laughs.
One shoulder, £1605, David Coma; Polka dot, £295, Rixo
Elsewhere, Rixo and Ghost make excellent dresses that are cut on the bias so they skim your figure without being overly tacky, and come in attitude-packed prints. You can cheerfully vent your anger in one of the form-fitting creations from Rotate Birger Christensen or Self-Portrait. Black is always a good idea, but anything red, lacy or animal print will convey the same chic, vengeful spirit.
But most importantly, look at the way Diana stepped out of her car that evening. Shoulders back, head up, and a big smile on her face. Whatever you wear, exude that air of confidence and sweet revenge is sure to follow.
Three more gorgeous revenge dresses…
Red dress £400 self portrait; Zebra print, £260, Spin Birgir Christensen
Leopard print, £35.99 Zara