Over the past few years, a micro trend has emerged, nestled in the spot where the Venn diagram of “sheer” and “method dressing” overlaps: sheer spider web gowns. Jennifer Lopez is the latest to don the style, and, dare we hope, the last?
In December 2021, red carpet queen Zendaya rolled up to a premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home in a gorgeous, faux-nude, slinky gown with web-patterned beading, accessorising with a Spidey-ish mask for full effect. This is after she rocked spiderweb earrings on the same press tour.
J.Lo knows exactly how to make a statement with her manicure.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Sony-Marvel-Spiderverse, Dakota Johnson was cast in the lead role in Madame Web, and when that movie came out in February 2024, we got another handful of webtacular designs. Johnson wore a gorgeous and completely see-through spider-webbed mesh number to the Vogue Brazil Ball in Rio de Janeiro, and a week later, attended a red carpet in a mesh naked dress.
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The diamond ring has the internet playing detective.
There, her co-star Sydney Sweeney had the more arachnid look.
So, when I heard that Jennifer Lopez, no stranger to a stunt, wore a spider-style gown to the Sundance premiere of her film Kiss of the Spider Woman, frankly, I was expecting something new. A corset and billowing skirt held in place by eight legs, perhaps? A cape so that there was a full web on display when she extended her arms? But no, it's a sheer dress with web beading. The only thing different is the black lace, and the rosettes (?) at the centre of the webs.
There's nothing wrong with the Valdrin Sahiti gown accessorised with a diamond-encrusted Hassanzadeh cocktail ring and a black clutch, per WWD. In fact, Lopez looks gorgeous, as always. But the method dressing phenomenon is only fun when it's giving upscale costume couture, and we've basically seen this dress before. So let's let Jennifer Lopez have the final word on the matter. You did it, Jen, you came, you slayed, and we're putting this trend to bed. Next!
This article originally appeared on GLAMOUR (US).
