He walked out in a massive, toile-print gown and the internet basically imploded. It was the 2021 BET Awards. While most guys were showing up in standard sharp tailoring, Montero Lamar Hill—better known as Lil Nas X—was busy making history in a custom Andrea Grossi creation. It wasn’t just a "lil nas x dress" for the sake of a headline. It was a full-scale exploration of Catholicism, queer identity, and the kind of "royalcore" aesthetic that usually stays confined to period dramas.
People were mad. People were obsessed. Honestly, that’s exactly how he likes it.
For anyone who thinks he’s just wearing a dress to "troll" the rap industry, they’re missing the point. This isn’t a gimmick. It’s an evolution. Since "Old Town Road" blew up, Nas has been meticulously dismantling the hyper-masculine walls of hip-hop, one corset at a time. He’s not just wearing clothes; he’s wearing a conversation.
The Gowns That Redefined the Red Carpet
If we’re talking about the most iconic Lil Nas X dress moments, we have to start with that Andrea Grossi look. It featured a zippered corset, a skirt so wide it needed its own zip code, and suspenders that blurred the line between streetwear and high fashion. It felt like a direct nod to his "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" era—blending religious iconography with unapologetic queerness.
Later that same night, he pulled a fast one. He swapped the gown for a floral, pearl-encrusted Richard Quinn suit.
It’s this duality that keeps the fashion world on its toes. He doesn't just stick to one lane. One minute he’s in a 70s-inspired punk silhouette, and the next, he’s at the Met Gala doing a triple-reveal.
✨ Don't miss: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
The 2021 Met Gala "Fairy Tale"
Remember the gold? That was a moment. Versace designed a three-part "LGBTQ+ American fairy tale" for his Met debut.
- The Royal Cape: A massive, embroidered gold cloak that felt like something out of a medieval fantasy.
- The Armor: Beneath the cape was a rigid, gold-plated suit of armor (C-3PO, but make it fashion).
- The Bodysuit: The final reveal was a skin-tight, crystal-embellished jumpsuit.
He told reporters it was a metaphor for coming out of his shell. It’s rare to see a male artist use fabric as a literal physical manifestation of their personal journey, but Nas does it constantly.
Collaboration with Christian Cowan
The link-up between Lil Nas X and designer Christian Cowan is probably the most significant partnership in his fashion history. Cowan was the guy who put him in that Prince-inspired silver sequined suit for the 2019 VMAs. Since then, they’ve collaborated on entire collections meant to benefit Black queer youth in Atlanta.
The 2021 unisex collection they dropped was wild. We’re talking:
- Black latex-style gowns with tiered skirts.
- Pink satin tailoring that threw the concept of "menswear" out the window.
- Feathers. Lots of feathers.
Cowan has often said that Nas’s style is "in between the sexes." It’s fluid. It’s messy. It’s fun. Most importantly, it’s not for the "cis-hetero gaze."
🔗 Read more: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the Backlash Still Happens (and Why He Doesn't Care)
Let’s be real: a Black man in a dress is still a radical act in 2026. Despite the progress we’ve seen with figures like Billy Porter or Harry Styles, the intersection of Blackness, hip-hop, and femininity remains a massive flashpoint.
Critics often claim he’s "sexualizing" himself or pushing an agenda. But if you look at his lyrics in songs like "Sun Goes Down," he talks about the genuine pain of trying to fit into a box that was never made for him. Dressing "like a girl"—as some commenters crudely put it—is actually a way of reclaiming power.
He’s not just wearing a lil nas x dress to be pretty. He’s wearing it to show kids in Atlanta that they don't have to be one specific version of "manly" to be successful.
Style Lessons from the Montero Playbook
You don't have to wear a 50,000-crystal Swarovski bodysuit (like he did at the 2024 Met Gala) to take a page out of his book. The core of his style is about intentionality.
1. Context is everything.
When he wore a Vegas-style feather headpiece to a Christian Cowan show, it was a nod to showgirl culture. When he wears a harness, it’s a nod to queer subculture. He knows the history of what he’s wearing.
💡 You might also like: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
2. Proportions matter.
Nas and his stylist, Hodo Musa, are masters of the silhouette. If the bottom is huge (like a ball gown skirt), the top is usually cinched. If he’s wearing platform Rick Owens boots, he balances the "bottom-heavy" look with cropped jackets or statement shoulders.
3. Don't fear the "feminine."
The most impactful part of his wardrobe is the use of traditionally "feminine" elements—lace, pearls, corsets, and floral prints—and styling them with a swagger that is uniquely his.
What to Do Next
If you’re looking to dive deeper into how gender-fluid fashion is changing the industry, start by looking at the designers Nas supports. Check out the work of Harris Reed, Robert Wun, and Andrea Grossi.
Understanding the "lil nas x dress" phenomenon isn't about the fabric; it's about the archive. Read up on the history of the "Yeehaw Agenda" and how Black cowboys and queer culture have intersected for decades before "Old Town Road" ever hit the charts.
Stop looking at these outfits as "costumes." Start looking at them as a blueprint for a future where fashion doesn't have a binary. If you're building your own wardrobe, try incorporating one "unexpected" texture—like a sheer mesh top or a pearl accessory—to see how it changes your confidence. Success in fashion, as Nas proves, is about being the most authentic version of yourself, even if it makes people uncomfortable.