Honestly, the internet has a weird obsession with what Selena Gomez wears, or more specifically, what she doesn't wear. For years, the search for "Selena Gomez with bra" or her latest "braless" selfie has topped Google trends, but if you actually look at the trajectory of her career, these fashion choices aren't just about being "bold" or "edgy." They’re about a woman reclaiming a body that has been public property since she was twelve years old.
It’s kind of wild when you think about it. Most people see a red carpet photo and think about the designer. With Selena, the conversation almost immediately pivots to her weight, her lupus flares, or how a specific garment fits her chest. But 2024 and 2025 marked a massive shift in how she handles the gaze. She isn't just "wearing" clothes anymore; she’s using them to set boundaries.
The Peek-a-Bra Trend and the 2024 Shift
One of the most talked-about moments recently was the 2024 Academy Museum Gala. Selena showed up in this custom navy suede Alaïa gown. It was stunning, but the real "internet breaker" was the black leather bralette peeking through the top.
People called it the "peek-a-bra" trend.
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Basically, instead of hiding the undergarment or opting for the "naked dress" look that’s been everywhere, she made the bra the structural centerpiece. It felt intentional. Fashion experts, including those at InStyle, noted that this specific look signaled a move away from the hyper-curated, "perfect" Hollywood silhouette toward something more architectural and honest. By making the bra visible, she sort of took the "scandal" out of it. It’s a bra. We all know it's there. Why pretend it isn't?
Why "Braless" Selfies Keep Going Viral
We’ve all seen the Instagram dumps. Sometimes it’s a casual mirror selfie in a white tank; other times, it’s a silk nightgown where she’s clearly skipped the underwire. In August 2025, she posted a series of makeup-free, braless photos that racked up millions of likes in hours.
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The comments are always a battlefield. Some people praise her "bravery," while others—honestly, the trolls—get weirdly aggressive about her "changing shape."
But here’s the thing: Selena has been very vocal about how her lupus medication, specifically corticosteroids like prednisone, causes her weight to fluctuate. She’s mentioned in TikTok lives that she holds a lot of water weight when she’s on her meds. When she chooses to go braless or wear a thin bandeau top, it’s often a matter of physical comfort. Anyone who has dealt with chronic inflammation knows that restrictive undergarments can be a literal nightmare when your body is swollen or in pain.
She’s basically told the world: "I’m not a model, never will be." And yet, by just existing in her skin, she’s become the blueprint for a new kind of celebrity—one who refuses to edit her human-ness for the sake of a smooth silhouette.
Redefining "Rare" Beauty in 2026
By the time we hit the 2026 Golden Globes, the narrative had shifted again. Selena showed up in an Old Hollywood-inspired Chanel gown—a black velvet bustier dress with white feather trim. It was tight, it was structured, and it was classic.
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What made this moment different wasn't just the dress, but the context. She’s now a mogul. Rare Beauty is worth billions. Her Rare Impact Fund has raised tens of millions for mental health. When she wears a "bustier" style or a gown that emphasizes her chest, it no longer feels like she's trying to meet a standard. It feels like she’s owning the space.
What We Can Learn From Her Style Evolution
- Comfort is a Power Move: Sometimes skipping the bra isn't a fashion statement; it's a "my body hurts today" statement, and that's valid.
- Visible Support is Okay: The 2024 Alaïa look proved that you can integrate "undergarments" into high fashion without it looking messy.
- Ignore the "Fit" Police: If you look at the Reddit threads on her Allure 2025 covers, half the people think the clothes are "lopsided" and the other half think she looks like a goddess. The lesson? You can’t win, so you might as well wear what makes you feel like you.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Own Wardrobe
If you're inspired by Selena’s approach to body-positive dressing, here’s how to actually apply it without feeling exposed:
- Embrace Structured Bralettes: Instead of a traditional underwire, look for leather or silk bralettes that are meant to be seen. Layer them under low-cut blazers or sheer tops.
- Prioritize Fabric over "Shape": Selena often leans into silk, velvet, and suede. These fabrics drape over the body rather than squeezing it, which is great for days when you're feeling bloated or inflamed.
- The "Natural" Silhouette: It’s okay if your chest doesn't look like a shelf. The move toward "natural" shapes is gaining momentum, and honestly, it's a lot better for your back.
At the end of the day, the obsession with Selena Gomez and her choice of undergarments says a lot more about our society's discomfort with "imperfect" bodies than it does about her fashion sense. She’s just a woman living in a body that changes—and she’s doing it in front of a billion people. That’s the real "rare" feat here.
To keep up with how she's changing the beauty industry, you can follow the updates from the Rare Impact Fund or check out her latest work on Only Murders in the Building, where her costume design continues to favor that "comfortable but chic" aesthetic.