Dua Lipa Just Made the Case for Lingerie as Outerwear—And We’re Taking Notes
In the pantheon of pop star street style moments, some outfits whisper while others command attention with the force of a sartorial manifesto. On September 17, as Dua Lipa prepared to commandeer Madison Square Garden for the first of four sold-out performances, she delivered the latter—stepping out in SoHo with an ensemble that didn’t just turn heads, it rewrote the rules of contemporary celebrity dressing.
The global superstar’s pre-show ritual included a strategic appearance at her Radical Optimism pop-up, where she orchestrated what can only be described as a masterclass in elevated provocation. Her canvas? A deceptively simple foundation of wardrobe essentials transformed into something entirely transcendent through the alchemy of impeccable styling and fearless confidence.
At first glance, the components read like a corporate uniform: a classic white pinstripe button-down, a charcoal maxi skirt with an unexpectedly fluid silhouette, and sleek black mesh ballet flats. But Lipa, ever the fashion alchemist, subverted every expectation. The shirt—rendered in whisper-thin cotton with vertical pinstripes—became a study in strategic undressing, left deliberately unbuttoned to reveal a black silk-and-lace balconette bra that transformed undergarment into statement piece.
This is where Lipa’s styling genius truly emerges. The juxtaposition is immediately arresting: the crisp, corporate codes of the pinstripe shirt create an airy, professional foundation that makes the visible lingerie feel not scandalous, but sophisticated. It’s office siren energy distilled to its most potent essence—a look that simultaneously declares “I’m the boss” and “I’m the party” with equal conviction.
The charcoal pencil skirt proves equally considered, its wool waistband folded over itself with the insouciant ease of luxury athleisure, while unexpected volume and draping around the hem elevate it far beyond basic office wear into the realm of high-fashion fluidity. The floor-grazing silhouette moves elegantly around her calves, providing crucial grounding for the stark black-and-white drama playing out above.
But perhaps most intriguing are those barely-visible black mesh ballet flats—fashion’s quiet obsession of the summer. The see-through construction, with its vintage-inspired needle-nose silhouette, adds a final layer of textural intrigue while maintaining delicate transparency. It’s footwear as architectural detail, covering while revealing, protecting while exposing.
Accessories receive the precision of a seasoned fashion editor: a thick silver cross pendant suspended from black cord channels early 2000s nostalgia, while a sleek chrome clutch provides futuristic polish against the ensemble’s softer elements. From her poker-straight obsidian hair to her clean, confident makeup, every detail feels meticulously calibrated.
What emerges is a look of calculated brilliance—one that recognizes the contemporary moment’s appetite for boundary-pushing femininity while maintaining an air of effortless sophistication. In Lipa’s hands, the exposed bra becomes not just acceptable but aspirational, officially crowning intimate apparel as the new statement tee.
This is celebrity styling at its most influential: taking familiar codes and completely recontextualizing them for a new generation of fashion consumers. As Lipa proved on her way to conquer Madison Square Garden, sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply knowing exactly who you are—and dressing accordingly.
