Chanel Iman punked it up at the 2013 Met Gala with dip-dyed hair and a striped J. Mendel dress. French actress Olga Kurylenko hogged all the attention at the ‘Oblivion’ Japan premiere in a striped Christian Dior gown. Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore looked lovely even in the rain during the wardrobe-malfunction-riddled 2013 TV BAFTAs in a Sophia Kah black-and-gold striped maxi skirt.
We will invoke the rule of three for these three celebrity spots and call this out as an emerging dress trend: striped formal gowns are becoming hot picks for red carpet wear and we love all of them.
Chanel Iman, Olga Kurylenko, and Laura Whitmore dazzle in striped gowns at the 2013 Met Gala, ‘Oblivion’ Japan premiere, and TV BAFTAs, showcasing the elegance and versatility of stripes in formal wear (Credit: Lia Toby / WENN / Kento Nara / Future Image / Daniel Deme)
Stripes are generally used in casual wear, so it’s new and exciting to see them used on full-length formal gowns. We’re also surprised to see that stripes have a youthful effect on formal gowns.
That stems from the pattern’s for-casuals-only image, but stripes make that image work in formal gowns by making them look less stiff and stuffy.
Amanda Peet radiates elegance in a flowing black and white striped maxi dress at the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party (Credit: INSTARimages)
Striped formal gowns have a fun and fresh feel, so consider wearing one to your next dressed-up event. If you’re going the black-and-white route, try accessorizing with a brightly colored purse like Chanel Iman’s, or go for full geometric and use a faceted clutch like Laura Whitmore’s.
You could also do it like Olga Kurylenko and let your striped dress do all the talking because not much has to be said when you’ve got big, bold stripes all over you!
This $650 Kay Unger New York strapless striped gown combines classic elegance with modern flair, perfect for any formal occasion
Stand out with Amaya Arzuaga’s vibrant orange striped knit wool gown, priced at $849, blending warmth and style for gala events
Sporting a price tag of $2,885, Katie Ermilio’s pinstripe sport gown merges athletic inspirations with evening wear sophistication
This Marc Jacobs striped silk gown, available for $1,900, offers a luxurious twist on the traditional stripe with its delicate silk fabric
Priced at $595, Tadashi Shoji’s sleeveless boat neck lace ribbon gown adds a touch of romance to the classic striped pattern
Make a grand entrance in Katie Ermilio’s Fit & Flare Multistripe Gown, available for $4,500, featuring dynamic stripes for a bold fashion statement
Raoul’s ‘Jane’ stripe gown, priced at $325, is a testament to understated elegance with its clean lines and classic silhouette
This Oscar de la Renta striped evening dress, costing $7,400, epitomizes luxury with its exquisite design and striking striped pattern