Charli XCX, Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman and more stars opted for backless ensembles this year, showing skin in designs by Saint Laurent, Gucci and Atelier Versace, among others. The sultry trend dates back to the 1920s, but celebrities have modernized the look by adding trendy embellishments like crystals and bows.
Backless gowns were trending at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival in May, with starry attendees such as Nicky Hilton, Eva Longoria and Elsa Hosk wearing the trend by day and night. They also emerged at the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala, where models Cara Delevingne and Emily Ratajkowski — who sported an archival gown by Donna Karan — brought backless garments to the red carpet.
Ahead, see the best backless looks from 2024, including at film premieres, award shows and more.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Corbis via Getty Images Jenna Ortega in Saint Laurent at Paris Fashion Week in January.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Nina Westervelt Nicole Kidman in Atelier Versace at the premiere of “Expats” in January.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images Angel Reese in Bronx and Banco at the 2024 WNBA Draft in April.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: WireImage Eva Longoria in Elie Saab at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Saint Laurent at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: PA Images via Getty Images Leonie Hanne in Milla Nova at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images Elsa Hosk in Saint Laurent at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: WireImage Eva Herzigova in Saint Laurent at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: PA Images via Getty Images Nicky Hilton in Rebecca Vallance at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: WireImage Elle Fanning in Gucci at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images Halle Bailey in Avellano at the 2024 BET Awards in June.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: FilmMagic Daisy Edgar-Jones in Gucci at the premiere “Twisters” in July.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images Kelsea Ballerini in Blumarine at the premiere of “Doctor Odyssey” in September.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images Charli XCX in Saint Laurent at the 2024 WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards in October.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores Cara Delevingne at the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala in November.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Michael Buckner Emily Ratajkowski in Donna Karan at the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala in November.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images Jessica Chastain in Gucci at the 2024 Gotham Awards in December.
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Backless Red Carpet Looks in 2024
Image Credit: Michael Buckner Elle Fanning in Gucci at the premiere of “A Complete Unknown” in December.