L'HISTOIRE: Britney Spears' Dolce & Gabbana Naked Dress at the MTV VMAs in 2001
Britney Spears left little to the imagination in her risque Dolce & Gabbana dress at the MTV VMAs in 2001, and she was ahead of her time.
L’HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today’s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.
Britney Spears emerged onto the MTV VMAs stage in 2001 for a now-infamous performance of her hit “I’m a Slave 4 U,” sporting a green bra and a massive albino yellow snake across her shoulders. Spears would take home the VMA for Pop Video as well, but those weren’t the only notable events of her night. Before she took the stage, she stepped onto the red carpet in a see-through lace, navy-blue mini dress featuring a matching bra and underwear underneath. Her take on the naked dress, even more risqué at that time, meant that Spears made quite the statement and turned many heads in the process.
The scantily clad number is from a 2001 Dolce & Gabbana collection, and it also boasts long trumpet sleeves, a high neckline, and a fitted bodice. Its micro mini length coupled with the sultry, bare-all design is peak 2000s fashion and epitomizes Spears’ bold star power at the time. Twenty years later, Kourtney Kardashian Barker revived that dress in a 2021 Instagram post, opting for lace tights and a triangle bralette. She hasn't been the only one taken by Spears’ lace moment.
Then-19-year-old Spears' look has since shaped the cultural zeitgeist, leaving a lasting imprint that still resonates today. A naked dress like hers has been the garb of choice in daring ensembles for everyone from Zoe Kravitz in Saint Laurent to Rita Ora in Alaïa at Paris Fashion Week and pop's rising stars. Tyla, draped in archival Gucci at the CFDAs in 2024 channeled something similar, as did Tate McRae when turning heads in Roberto Cavalli at the MTV VMAs.
To emulate this outfit, go for something full-on barely there. For more coverage, choose something that's still lace with panels that cover the chest and hips. Take a cue from Spears by pairing your frock with heeled strappy black sandals, messy waves, and sultry smokey eye look.
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