Fashion can shape and alter lives. Not only does what we wear keep us decent and protected, but it also tells those who see us who we are or who we aspire to be, writes British art and design historian Frances Corner on Google Arts & Culture. Do you know what else fashion does? It can help us give the middle finger to those who hurt us –- like our exes — with proper decorum. Far-fetched as it sounds, fashion can actually be weaponized to go from being a victim to a victor and even the score. The ultimate goal of revenge fashion is to dazzle in articles of clothing that ooze so much brash sexiness and glorious gratification that it causes those who dumped you to do a double take and envy your shine.
It’s hard to tell how many broken hearts out there are yearning for a chance to get revenge, but one thing we know for sure is that the phenomenon of “revenge shopping” is still in vogue. For instance, searches for “revenge dress outfits” on TikTok have grown to over 191.8 million views at the time of writing. So, if you have just gone through a nasty split, stop dissing your former flame on social media and stash away the gooey comfort foods and playbooks for overcoming a breakup. When the wound is still raw, take on revenge dressing as an alternative therapy for heartbreak. Here’s why revenge fashion is a tried-and-true way of turning your pain into punch.
Revenge fashion is a comeback at cheaters
When it comes to defining revenge fashion, nobody could have put it in words better than Rihanna. “Every time a man cheats on you or treats you badly, you need a revenge dress,” the singer tells Vogue. And nobody could have made a reference to this definition better than the OG of revenge dressing herself – Princess Diana. In June 1994, Lady Di broke the royal protocol at a Serpentine Gallery party by wearing an off-the-shoulder black dress designed by Christina Stambolian, flaunting her gorgeous collarbones and toned legs. This LBD — too daring by the royal family standards –- immediately made headlines.
