Nobody actually plans to change the course of fashion history while standing in their bathroom with a pair of scissors and a minor crisis. But that's exactly what happened. It was 2001. The place was the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, the high-altitude peak of Hollywood social climbing. Gillian Anderson, then the undisputed queen of sci-fi cool as Dana Scully, stepped out of a car in a backless black dress by Eduardo Lucero.
Then she turned around.
High on her hips sat a thin, black thong strap. It wasn't tucked away or "accidentally" peeking. It was right there, framed by the plunging rear of her gown like a piece of modern art. To the paparazzi, it was a scandal. To the fashion world, it was the birth of the "whale tail." But to Gillian? It was basically a practical solution to a hairy situation.
The Gillian Anderson thong dress was a "Solution Number Two"
We’ve all been there. You buy a dress, it looks great in the shop, and then you get home, put it on under different lighting, and realize you have a problem. For Gillian, the problem was the fabric. The Eduardo Lucero gown was a beautiful, clingy jersey, but it was incredibly sheer.
Gillian has since admitted that she didn't even try the dress on until the night of the party. When she finally slipped into it, she realized she couldn't go commando. Why? Because, in her own words, her "pubic hairs poked through the dress."
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She had two choices. Solution number one was to shave—a "Brazilian" wasn't exactly her vibe at the time. Solution number two was to put on some underwear. She grabbed a black mesh thong, saw that the strap was visible, and basically said "f—k it."
She didn't have tape. She didn't have a stylist standing by with a steamer and a dream. She had a thong and a red carpet to get to.
Why the fashion world went into a meltdown
You have to remember what 2001 was like. This was the era of low-rise jeans, sure, but the red carpet was still mostly a place for "classy" elegance. Seeing a visible panty line was considered a failure. Seeing the actual waistband of a thong on a serious, Emmy-winning actress? That was revolutionary.
- The Designer: Eduardo Lucero, a Mexican-born designer known for his "liquid" silhouettes, suddenly found himself at the center of a global conversation.
- The Look: It wasn't just the thong. Gillian paired the dress with tinted blue sunglasses and a messy, effortless updo. It looked "punk" because it was accidental.
- The Tag: If you look closely at the high-res photos, you can actually see the white laundry tag still attached to the thong. It’s the ultimate "I just threw this on" detail.
Turning a "mistake" into a million-dollar legacy
What started as a wardrobe malfunction ended up defining an entire decade's aesthetic. Shortly after Gillian’s appearance, the "whale tail" trend exploded. Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Paris Hilton turned the exposed thong into the uniform of the early 2000s.
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But Gillian did it differently. She wasn't trying to be a pop star. She was an intellectual actress who just happened to be comfortable in her own skin. That's why people still talk about the Gillian Anderson thong dress twenty years later. It felt authentic.
From the red carpet to the charity auction
Gillian eventually donated the dress to a charity auction to benefit research into Neurofibromatosis, a cause she has supported for decades. The dress was signed by her on the back—right near the famous cutout. It eventually sold for thousands, proving that a moment of "necessity being the mother of invention" could actually do some good in the world.
The 2024 connection: Peonies and Vulvas
If you think the 2001 dress was a fluke, you haven't been paying attention to Gillian's recent red carpet choices. At the 2024 Golden Globes, she wore a custom Gabriela Hearst gown that looked like a classic cream-colored cream puff from afar.
Up close? It was covered in embroidered vulvas.
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When asked about it, she didn't shy away. She called it "brand appropriate," referencing her role as Jean Milburn in Sex Education. She’s also joked that the 2001 thong moment was just the beginning of her "no f—ks given" approach to fashion. Whether it's showing her underwear or wearing a "vagina dress," she uses clothing to challenge how we look at the female body.
How to pull off the "Gillian" look without the scandal
Fashion is cyclical. The "visible lingerie" trend is back in a massive way for 2026, but the rules have changed. It’s less about low-rise jeans and more about intentional layering.
- Fabric matters: If you’re going for a sheer or backless look, don't fight the underwear. Make it part of the outfit. A high-quality lace or mesh thong can look like a design element rather than a mistake.
- Confidence is the accessory: Gillian looked iconic because she didn't spend the whole night tugging at her dress. She owned it.
- Check your lighting: Always do the "paparazzi test." Turn on the brightest lights in your house and see what’s visible. If you see more than you want, reach for "Solution Number Two."
Practical takeaways for your next big event
Honestly, the biggest lesson here isn't about thongs at all. It's about not panicking when things go wrong. If you find yourself with a wardrobe issue ten minutes before you have to leave, don't change into a "safe" boring outfit you hate. Lean into the weirdness.
Gillian Anderson proved that if you act like you meant to do it, the rest of the world will believe you. And who knows? You might just end up on a mood board for the next twenty years.
To keep your wardrobe as bold as Gillian's, start by auditing your "emergency" drawer. Keep a few pairs of high-waisted, decorative thongs or lace bras that can actually handle being seen. When the fabric fails, you’ll be ready to turn a "fail" into a fashion statement.