We’ve all been there — a bad breakup that leaves you reeling, wondering how you’ll ever pull yourself together again. But when you’re a star and your breakup happens in the public eye, some celebs have taken to looking their very best to let the world know they’ve moved on and are doing better than ever. Enter: the revenge dress, the most iconic and fashionable way to signal to the world a breakup is in the rearview mirror.
These are the most iconic revenge dresses we’re obsessed with, ranging from Princess Diana’s head-turning, royal-protocol-shattering revenge dress to Jennifer Aniston’s shimmering red-carpet-worthy gown.
Princess Diana
We couldn’t start this list without the ultimate revenge dress. After splitting from then-Prince Charles, Princess Diana stepped out in this gorgeous black dress in 1994. Prince Charles’ tell-all documentary, in which he confessed to being unfaithful to her, aired on national television the same night she wore the dress. Every eye was on the Princess, who looked stunning.
It’s a look that we’re still loving all these years later — and if you’ve watched the newest season of The Crown, you’ve seen how glam the reenactment is.
Related: Watching ‘The Crown’: 3 royal objects you might have missed.
Emily Ratajkowski
After splitting from her husband, model Emily Ratajkowski stepped out in a cool, sheer fishnet dress to celebrate W Magazine‘s 50th anniversary. She filed for divorce in September and wore this dress in October, so we’re labelling it a revenge dress, not only because of the timing, but also because of how chic and fun it is. Who better to pull off the sheer trend that’s taking over?
See also: Celeb-inspired sheer outfit ideas for the holidays.
Khloe Kardashian
After her ex, Tristan Thompson, cheated on her and fathered a child with another woman in late 2021, Khloe Kardashian remained relatively quiet while her family navigated the scandal. But in May 2022, she headed out for the Met Gala and hit the red carpet looking gorgeous in a gold, beaded gown.
Although Thompson has apologized for his behaviour, Khloe made it clear that she is done with him and revealed she wouldn’t be having any more children with the basketball player.
Related: Pregnant celebrities: All the stars expecting in 2022.
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt announced their divorce in 2005 after being a couple for seven years, but Jennifer didn’t let that stop her from looking her best. At the premiere for Derailed, she sported a shimmering, champagne dress and matching strappy heels.
Related: Jennifer Aniston got candid about her difficult journey with IVF.
Jennifer Lopez
Although she might be Jennifer Affleck now, back when JLo split from her then-fiance Alex Rodriguez she was continuously serving up look after look. But when she wore this plunging white gown after reuniting with Ben Affleck looking very much in love, we had a feeling that wedding bells would be ringing soon afterwards — and they did.
