Emily Blunt doesn't usually do "scandalous." For years, she’s been the queen of the structured column gown and the sharp, English-rose silhouette. But 2026 has been different. Since the press tour for The Smashing Machine kicked off, we’ve seen a version of Blunt that feels less like a Victorian porcelain doll and a lot more like a woman who’s been spending too much time in the wardrobe department of a high-end boudoir.
Honestly, it’s refreshing.
If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen the chatter about emily blunt in lingerie inspired looks. People are losing it. Some fans on Reddit are calling her new vibe "futuristic cult leader," while others are just happy she finally ditched the safe, opaque fabrics for something with a bit more... air.
The Night Everything Changed at TIFF
The real turning point happened in Toronto. Blunt showed up to the premiere of The Smashing Machine at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) looking like she’d just walked off a high-fashion noir set. She wore this Stella McCartney Spring 2025 look that was basically a masterclass in how to do the "naked dress" trend without actually being naked.
It was a sheer black halter top that was—get this—completely backless. It was held together by what looked like pieces of string. You’ve seen stars try this and fail because it looks messy, but on Emily, it looked expensive.
📖 Related: How Old Is Breanna Nix? What the American Idol Star Is Doing Now
She paired it with low-rise pinstriped pants. It was very "office siren," but if the office was in a fever dream. The top featured these delicate lace side panels and a mesh center that showed off her belly button, which is a rare sight for a woman who spent half her career in corsets for period dramas.
Why 2026 is the Year of the "Boardroom Bombshell"
Just when we thought the TIFF look was a one-off, she doubled down at the National Board of Review Awards on January 13, 2026. This was the "NSFW reveal" that really set the internet on fire.
She walked in wearing an oversized black blazer with rhinestone-encrusted lapels. Pretty standard, right? Wrong.
Halfway through the night, she shed the jacket to reveal a plunging, skintight black bodysuit. It dipped all the way down to her ribs. Over it, she wore nothing but a sheer black mesh skirt covered in crystals. It was a total 180 from the white, angelic Louis Vuitton gown she wore to the Golden Globes just two nights prior.
👉 See also: Whitney Houston Wedding Dress: Why This 1992 Look Still Matters
The "WonderBra" Performance
There’s a reason for all this skin. In The Smashing Machine, Blunt plays Dawn Staples, the girlfriend of MMA fighter Mark Kerr (played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson). The role required a major physical transformation. She told ELLE in November 2025 that she had to wear a voluminous wig, long acrylic nails, and a very specific type of undergarment.
"I feel my performance should have been sponsored by WonderBra," Blunt joked. "It was very new and transforming for me."
That character seems to have bled into her real-world style. Her long-time stylist, Jessica Paster, has been pushing these boundaries for nearly twenty years now. Paster mentioned in a recent Vogue interview that they wanted to go "understated chic" for the big awards, but for the smaller events, they’re playing with the "lingerie-as-outerwear" assignment.
Breaking Down the "Emily Blunt in Lingerie" Aesthetic
If you’re trying to figure out why this works on her when it looks tacky on everyone else, it’s the balance. She isn’t just wearing a bra and calling it a day. She’s mixing high-low textures:
✨ Don't miss: Finding the Perfect Donny Osmond Birthday Card: What Fans Often Get Wrong
- Masculine vs. Feminine: She almost always pairs a sheer or lace top with "masculine" tailoring—think wide-leg pinstripe trousers or oversized blazers.
- The Hair Factor: She’s moved away from the tight updos toward "cinnamon spice" hair colors and soft, middle-parted blowouts. It softens the "hard" edge of the sheer clothing.
- The Jewelry: You don't wear cheap accessories with a sheer skirt. She’s been dripping in Tiffany & Co. and EFFY diamonds, which keeps the look firmly in the "A-list" category rather than "clubwear."
What’s Next? Edge of Tomorrow and Beyond
With The Devil Wears Prada 2 scheduled for release later in 2026, the fashion world is bracing itself. We’re also hearing that Edge of Tomorrow 2 starts filming late this year. If her recent red carpet choices are any indication, Emily Blunt is done playing it safe.
She told ELLE that choosing her roles—and her clothes—is the "only thing she can control." Right now, she’s choosing to be bold.
How to Style the Look Yourself
You don't need a Louis Vuitton budget to pull off this vibe. Here’s the secret: it’s all about the layers.
- Start with a Bodysuit: Look for something with a deep V-neck but thick enough material that it doesn't look like literal underwear.
- The Mesh Skirt Rule: If you’re going sheer on the bottom, keep the top structured. A blazer is your best friend here.
- Monochrome is Key: Blunt almost always sticks to all-black or all-white when experimenting with sheers. It keeps the silhouette clean and stops the outfit from looking "busy."
Watch the upcoming press tour for The Devil Wears Prada 2—word is Paster has a rail of 50 custom dresses ready to go, and many of them continue this sheer, boudoir-inspired trend.