Revenge Dresses That Defined Fashion History

There’s nothing quite like stepping out after a breakup looking better than ever. Perhaps the most iconic example is Princess Diana’s black dress from 1994. On the same night that then-Prince Charles publicly confessed to adultery, Diana stepped out in a daring black Christina Stambolian dress. The off-the-shoulder design immediately grabbed headlines, and the media soon famously dubbed it the ultimate “revenge dress.” Mariah Carey had her own post-breakup fashion moment in 1997 after splitting from her husband and manager, Tommy Mottola. At that year’s MTV Video Music Awards, the singer wore a two-piece Calvin Klein ensemble that showed off a different side of her image. The look marked a new chapter for Carey as she moved away from the “good girl” persona she had become known for. Britney Spears also made a statement following her highly publicized breakup with Justin Timberlake in 2002. At the premiere of her movie ‘Crossroads’, Spears arrived in a shimmering mirrorball minidress by Julien Macdonald, paired with matching jewelry.