Few garments have carried quite as much cultural voltage as the ‘revenge dress’. The phrase now describes a very particular fashion moment — when an outfit becomes a public declaration of independence. Its modern meaning is inseparable from Princess Diana and the black off-the-shoulder dress she wore to the Serpentine Gallery in 1994.

At the time, the dress was more than elegant eveningwear. Diana appeared in it on the same night a televised documentary aired in which Prince Charles admitted to infidelity. Instead of retreating from public view, she stepped out in a fitted, daring silhouette by Christina Stambolian that contrasted sharply with the modest royal image she had long been expected to maintain. The message was clear. She projected control, confidence and self-possession — a visual refusal to be defined by scandal.

What made the moment so powerful was not just the dress itself but the cultural atmosphere surrounding it. The early 1990s were marked by intense media scrutiny and growing conversations about women’s autonomy in public life. Diana’s appearance seemed to capture a wider shift – a move away from quiet compliance towards visible self-definition. Rather than appearing diminished by personal turmoil, she presented a new version of herself – composed, glamorous and unmistakably in charge of her own image.

Since then, the revenge dress has evolved into a recognisable fashion trope. Its visual language tends to be intentional and often minimal. The little black dress has become an iconic look because of its symbolism. Black suggests sophistication, reinvention or emotional armour – so simple yet so telling. 

Other figures such as Rihanna and Bella Hadid have since had their own ‘revenge dress’ moments. . A dramatic red carpet appearance after a breakup or a carefully curated first public outing are frequently framed in similar terms. Another favourite is Elizabeth Hurley’s 2000 plunging gold gown following her breakup with Hugh Grant following his paid infidelity. 

In this sense, the revenge dress is less a trend and more a pattern in fashion history. Clothing has long functioned as a tool for signalling transformation, from post-war glamour representing renewal to power dressing communicating authority. The revenge dress simply gives a modern label to a longstanding practice – using appearance to author one’s own story in the public eye.

The idea of dressing differently after a breakup, a setback or a life change is widely relatable. Reinvention through style is both personal and performative. Princess Diana’s appearance captured that feeling at an unusually visible scale, turning a private turning point into a cultural symbol.

As Rihanna puts it, “Every time a man cheats on you or treats you badly, you need a revenge dress. Every woman knows that.”

Words by Lily Portch

Image credited to Anastasiya Badun via Unsplash. Image Licensing found here.