You know how some fashion moments just feel like a shift in the atmosphere? That’s exactly what happened when Margot Robbie stepped onto the red carpet in London last September. After months of being away from the spotlight—mostly enjoying life as a new mom—she didn’t just return; she basically reset the internet.
Everyone was expecting more of that polished, "Barbie" perfection we saw throughout 2023 and 2024. Instead, we got the Margot Robbie naked dress. It was a total pivot. No more hot pink, no more doll-like aesthetics. Just pure, high-fashion risk.
The dress in question was a custom Armani Privé gown from their Spring/Summer 2025 couture collection. If you saw the photos, you know it was barely there. It was a sheer, shimmering masterpiece encrusted with crystals and colorful beads that looked like they were floating on her skin. Honestly, it was a "mic drop" moment for her stylist, Andrew Mukamal.
Why this look actually mattered
It’s easy to dismiss a sheer dress as just another "naked" trend, but the context here is everything. Margot had just welcomed her son in November 2024. This was her first major appearance for her new film, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. Most celebrities play it safe after a pregnancy, opting for structure or volume. Margot went the opposite direction.
The Armani gown featured an ultra-low back and a silhouette so transparent it revealed a bedazzled thong underneath. It was bold. Some critics on Reddit and Twitter called it "too much," but the fashion world saw it as a tribute. Giorgio Armani had passed away just days before at age 91. Wearing his couture was a silent, sparkling salute to a legend who spent decades redefining what "sexy" looked like in Hollywood.
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The Mugler connection
Earlier that same day, she’d already teased the vibe. She showed up to a photocall in a vintage 1998 Thierry Mugler "Lingerie Revisited" set. It was a pale pink bra top and a pencil skirt that showed off her midriff.
Basically, she was telling us: The Barbie era is dead. Long live the new Margot.
The "Naked Dress" fatigue vs. the reality
Let's be real for a second. By the time we hit 2025, people were getting a bit tired of the sheer trend. You’ve seen it on everyone from Dakota Johnson to Kylie Jenner. Even the Cannes Film Festival tried to ban "excessive nudity" on the red carpet earlier in the year, citing "decency" (which, let's be honest, felt a bit 1950s).
So, when the Margot Robbie naked dress hit the headlines, it sparked a massive debate. Was she just following a tired trend? Or was she reclaiming it?
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- The "Pro" side: Fans argued it was a celebration of her body post-pregnancy. It wasn't about the "male gaze"; it was about her feeling powerful and confident.
- The "Con" side: Fashion purists felt the "visible thong" look was a bit dated. Some even joked that they missed the 1959 striped swimsuit references.
The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Fashion is cyclical. What felt fresh in the 90s with Kate Moss feels scandalous again in the 2020s, then eventually becomes "classic." Margot isn't just a trend follower; she's a producer who understands how to market a movie. That dress ensured every single person knew her new film was coming out.
What it takes to pull off a look like this
It’s not just about being Margot Robbie (though that helps). The engineering behind these gowns is insane.
To make a Margot Robbie naked dress work, you need:
- Strategic Appliqué: The beads and crystals aren't just there for sparkle. They are placed with mathematical precision to cover what needs covering while creating the illusion of nakedness.
- Skin Prep: Her makeup artist, Pati Dubroff, used a full Chanel beauty routine to give her that "lit from within" glow. When the dress is transparent, your skin is the primary accessory.
- The "Invisible" Undergarments: We saw the bedazzled thong, but there’s usually a whole architecture of boob tape and specialized fabrics hidden in the seams to prevent a total wardrobe malfunction.
How she changed the game
Before this London premiere, Margot was the "Girl Next Door" or the "Global Doll." This look moved her into the "High Fashion Muse" category. It was less about being likable and more about being undeniable.
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She followed it up in New York a few days later with another archival Mugler look—a white corset gown with hip-high slits. She was on a roll. It was a week of fashion that proved she can handle the "edgy" stuff just as well as the "pretty" stuff.
If you’re looking to channel this energy without literally wearing a transparent gown to your next dinner party, it’s all about the "sheer-adjacent" vibe. Think lace overlays, mesh panels, or even just a bold, exposed-back dress.
The biggest takeaway from the Margot Robbie naked dress isn't about the nudity. It's about the timing. She waited until the world expected her to hide, and then she showed up in the most visible way possible. That’s a power move.
Next Steps for Your Style:
- Audit your "safe" outfits: Are you wearing them because you love them, or because you're hiding?
- Try a "Lingerie as Outerwear" piece: Start small with a silk camisole under a structured blazer to mimic Margot's Mugler moment.
- Focus on skin health: If you want to pull off sheer or low-cut styles, a consistent body-exfoliation and hydration routine is your best friend.