A look back at the most fire revenge dresses of all time πππ
'Revenge dressing' is in part a trope conjured up by the press, in part a totally legit thing people do after a break up.
Anyone who has been through a nasty split will know that it's your duty to look unfathomably smokin' when your ex sees you for the first time. For celebrities however, you don't simply 'bump in to' your ex after a breakup. You're not caught unawares in your tracksuit bottoms on a quick trip to the corner shop (and forced to hide behind a plant), nor are you likely to walk into them at your local pub after one too many vodkas.
With the world's lens on their every move, they can orchestrate the very moment when their ex sees them for the first time (or pictures of them in the papers), down to the red carpet they'll be photographed on and the outfit they'll be wearing. And boy do they do it well...
From Lady Diana's LBD to Reese Witherspoon's atypical minidress and Bella Hadid's nipple-baring Dior number, we take a look at the most iconic revenge dresses through the ages.
PA PhotosPrincess Diana
Princess Diana's off-shoulder LDB designed by Christina Stambolian was known by press as the βrevengeβ dress. Just prior to her wearing the dress to the Serpentine Gallery Party in the summer of 1994, various scandalous books and tapes had been published including interviews with Prince Charles in which people took his comments as an admission of his infidelity with Camilla Parker. And so the revenge dress was born...
See more of Princess Diana's most iconic looks of all time.
Getty ImagesElizabeth Hurley
Liz Hurley split from Hugh Grant in May 2000 after 13 years together. Liz stood by Hugh through that 1995 prostitute scandal, but when the pair finally split, it was reported as "amicable". Shortly after the breakup, Liz attended her first red carpet, Valentino's 40th Anniversary to Benefit Children's Action Network, wearing a champagne-hued, satin, plunging gown.
Getty ImagesNicole Kidman
What do you do when - like Nicole Kidman at the LA premiere of The Others in 2001 - you know your ex is going to be at the same premiere as you? This. This is what. Her LBD said it all.
Getty ImagesJustin Timberlake
It was 2002 and pop's young dream Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake split up amid rumours Justin had ended the relationship after Brit had cheated. What followed was somewhat of a Justinaissance. Timberlake got HOT. Gone were the Super Noodles curls and here was the era of Cry Me a River (his ultimate revenge song) and SeΓ±orita (sexy AF). Here is Justin at the 2002 MTV VMAs, not long after the split... Yum (we'll forgive the hat and shoes).
Rex FeaturesJennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's breakup was once of the most highly-publicised splits in celeb history, not least because of Brad's rumoured crossover with Angelina Jolie. Jen was heartbroken, and we were for her. Just weeks later on her first red carpet, Jen put on a brave face and let her dress do the talking. Wow.
Getty ImagesReese Witherspoon
It was atypical for Reese Witherspoon, but a short, bright yellow Nina Ricci dress was the only choice for her first red carpet after splitting from partner of nine years, Ryan Phillippe. Reese's Golden Globes 2007 dress caught so much attention in tabloids and fashion circles alike. Fashion director Hal Rubenstein even called it the 'Ryan Who?' dress in his book, 100 Unforgettable Dresses.
Rex FeaturesTaylor Swift
Taylor Swift's breakup from Harry Styles was a bad start to 2013, but that wasn't stopping the pop star from attending the Peopleβs Choice Awards in January. Contrary to the theme of smouldering black revenge dresses, Taylor opted for angelic white which was just as sexy.
Rex FeaturesGwyneth Paltrow
Another break-up, another LBD. This time from Gwyneth Paltrow who wore this beaded number to an event in Hong Kong to promote Goop, shortly after her "conscious uncoupling" from Chris Martin.
Rex FeaturesSelena Gomez
Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber's relationship was one of the most volatile in Hollywood with years of them being on and off. But by the time the 2016 GRAMMY Awards came around, it seemed to be over for good with Justin going on a spree of dating models. Selena's awards dress was stunning and probably had Justin crying into his pillow.
Getty ImagesBella Hadid
Bella Hadid and her ex The Weeknd split in November 2016 after a two year relationship. In January, he was spotted kissing pop star Selena Gomez. A week later Bella attended Christian Dior's Haute Couture Bal Masque in a completely sheer, blue Dior number which was encrusted with diamonds. It was one of her sexiest to date, and that's saying something for Bella. Was it her revenge dress?
Rex FeaturesMel B
Mel B split up with husband of ten years Stephen Belafonte in March 2017. While we think Mel was off with this half-sexy-Avatar-half-showgirl bodysuit, what better way to make your ex miss you than reminding them what they're missing? That body!
