Honestly, if you’ve spent any time on TikTok or scrolling through Vogue lately, you know that a "Dua Lipa dress" isn't just a piece of clothing. It’s a whole event. It’s a cultural shift. One minute she’s reviving 1990s archival Chanel, and the next she’s head-to-toe in custom chrome that looks like it was forged in a sci-fi furnace.
People think she just has a great stylist—and she does, Lorenzo Posocco is a literal wizard—but there’s a specific "Dua-ness" to the way she picks her looks. It’s not just about what's expensive. It’s about what tells a story.
The Schiaparelli Skeleton and Why It Matters
Take the 2024 Golden Globes. Dua showed up in this black velvet Schiaparelli masterpiece. From a distance? Just a classic mermaid silhouette. But then you look closer and see these gilded, diamond-encrusted "bones" running down the bodice.
It was a direct nod to the iconic 1938 "Skeleton Dress" that Elsa Schiaparelli made with Salvador Dalí. That’s the thing about a Dua Lipa dress; it’s usually a history lesson disguised as a red carpet moment. Most people just saw a cool black dress, but fashion nerds saw a surrealist tribute that cost more than a small house in the suburbs.
She’s basically the queen of "Archival Energy."
That 200-Carat Chanel Moment
We have to talk about the 2023 Met Gala. If you search for her most viral looks, this one is always at the top. She wore a creamy white 1992 Chanel Haute Couture bridal gown.
Claudia Schiffer originally wore it on the runway. It was peak Karl Lagerfeld. But here’s what’s kinda funny: half the internet was obsessed with the dress, while the other half was terrified of the necklace. She was wearing the Tiffany & Co. "Lucid Star" diamond. It was over 200 carats.
Some critics actually hated the pairing. They thought the "heavy" diamond fought with the "delicate" tweed of the dress. But that’s Dua’s whole vibe—mixing things that shouldn't work until they do. She doesn't want to look like a "traditional" bride or a "traditional" pop star. She wants to look like a museum exhibit.
The Joan of Arc Era: Courrèges at the Grammys
At the 2024 Grammys, she pivoted hard. No more vintage lace. She showed up in custom silver Courrèges. It was heavy. Like, actually heavy.
Dua herself said it made her feel like Joan of Arc. It was this metallic, fringed column dress with "ovary cutouts" (yes, that’s the actual term people used) at the hips. It looked like armor but moved like liquid.
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What’s interesting is how she uses these dresses to signal where she is in her career.
- The Barbie Era: Lots of Versace, pinks, and "Dance the Night" sparkles.
- The Radical Optimism Era: Leather, chrome, and grit.
- The High-Fashion Era: Chanel, Schiaparelli, and Ferragamo.
She’s basically a chameleon.
Why Her Tour Outfits Hit Different
During the "Radical Optimism" tour that wrapped up late last year, the wardrobe was basically a love letter to the "suffering for fashion" trope. She had this one faux-fur Balenciaga coat that changed colors depending on the city.
In a Vogue interview, she admitted it wasn't comfortable. At all. But she said it was "too much fun not to suffer a little bit."
Most pop stars go for stretchy, easy-to-move-in fabrics. Dua? She’s out there in weighty Chanel sequins and mirrored Schiaparelli rib motifs. It’s a lot of weight to carry while doing "Houdini" choreography, but that’s why her tour looks go viral. They look expensive because they are expensive, and they look difficult to wear because they are.
The Chanel 25 and the "New" Dua
As we move into 2026, her style is shifting again. She’s now the face of the Chanel 25 bag, and her "dress" style has become a bit more Manhattan-cool. More structured coats, more vintage-inspired knits, less "pop princess."
She’s also launched her own skincare line, DUA, with Augustinus Bader. It’s a bit of a pivot from just being a "clothes horse" to being a brand. But even with the business moves, the dresses are what keep the fans talking.
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How to Get the Look (Without the 200-Carat Diamond)
You probably don't have an archival Chanel hookup. Most of us don't. But you can still channel that energy.
Basically, it comes down to three things:
- Texture Contrast: Mix something "tough" (like leather or metal jewelry) with something "soft" (like a slip dress or lace).
- Archival Silhouettes: Look for 90s-style square necklines or 70s-style halter tops.
- The "Strong" Factor: Choose pieces that make you feel powerful, not just pretty.
The biggest mistake people make is trying to look too "perfect." Dua’s best looks always have something a little "off"—the hair is a bit messy, or the jewelry is way too big for the dress. It’s that tension that makes it fashion.
If you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe with a bit of that Lipa-flair, start by hunting for vintage pieces with interesting hardware. Skip the fast fashion "reps" of her dresses. Instead, find a high-quality velvet or silk slip and pair it with an oversized, "heavy" necklace.
That’s how you actually get the look. You don't copy the dress; you copy the attitude.
Next Steps for Your Style Evolution:
- Audit your jewelry: Find one "statement" piece that feels almost too big for your favorite dress. Wear them together anyway.
- Research 90s runways: Specifically look at Versace 1992 and Chanel 1992. These are Dua’s primary mood boards.
- Focus on tailoring: A $50 thrifted dress that fits perfectly will always beat a $500 designer dress that sits weirdly on your hips.