Ananya Panday to Sabrina Carpenter: The revival of the bodycon dress

Just like the other Y2K revivals, looks like even the bodycon dress trend has made a major comeback. This sleek, figure-hugging garment, often referred to as a "bandage dress," is no longer just a throwback—it’s a full-blown fashion resurgence. While celebrities like Beyonce and Kim Kardashian made it a fashion statement in the early 2000s, the body hugging dress is now back, and it is going to stay!

The bodycon dress ft. Filmfare Awards 2025

At the Filmfare Glamour & Style Awards 2025 held on September 7, we witnessed that bodycon dresses and gowns are squeezing their way back into our lives.

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia made an appearance wearing a Kristina Fidelskaya gown from her collection, The Key. Her wine-coloured halter-neck gown perfectly accentuated her curves.

Tamannaah Bhatia in a bodycon dress. (Image courtesy: IG/tamannaahspeaks)

Actress Ananya Panday chose a Kresha Bajaj creation, a sleek bodycon in beige brown with sparkly glitter. The gown featured bold cut-out detailing along the sides and bust. The sleek silhouette was appealing and unapologetic.

Ananya Panday in a bodycon dress. (Image courtesy: IG: ananyapanday)

TikTok, which has been making fashion trends blow up, has shown that bodycons and bandage dresses are a rage.

The history of the bodycon dress

Created by French fashion designer Hervé Léger in 1989, the bodycon dress was an immediate hit in the fashion world. The term "bodycon" comes from the words "body-conscious.” Initially known as the "Bandage Dress," Léger’s creation was crafted using a unique, stretchy fabric that molded to the body, giving it a sculpted, smooth appearance.

Hervé Léger. (Image courtesy: AFP)

It was a hit in the ‘90s

During the '90s, the bodycon dress was the go-to choice for bold fashion statements. Supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford were often spotted wearing it on catwalks and red carpets. At the time, it was considered a daring departure from the more modest and tailored dresses. This particular dress also exuded confidence and sex appeal, with its tight-fitting nature.

However, the style was not without controversy. Critics raised questions about its inclusivity for all body types. Was it a design that catered to only one body shape? Many argued that it was a trend designed for women with a certain body shape. Many argues that it was not a dress for heavier women,

There was a growing debate about whether fashion should embrace a wider range of body types and make dresses accordingly.

But, now that it is back in 2025, it is no longer just a relic of the past; it’s a modern staple that continues to thrive in contemporary fashion.

Bodycon dresses at the MTV VMA awards

Even at the recently held MTV Video Music Awards 2025, the bodycon made a grand appearance. On the carpet, rapper and singer Doja Cat said that her bouncy blond waves and busty Balmain harlequin dress were nods to the 1980s.

Sabrina Carpenter wore the floor-length bodycon gown with matching red heels with sky-high platforms, as well as diamond earrings and a ring from Tiffany & Co.

Kim Kardashian, in particular, has been a significant force in the dress’s revival. Be it a party or Jeff Bezos’ wedding festivities, Kardashians have been the flag bearer of bodycon dresses.

Sculpted silhouettes are now at the forefront, with oversized clothing making way for architectural designs. TikTok has played a huge role in making bodycon and bandage dresses go viral, sparking a trend that’s taken the fashion world by storm. The peak of this craze has been the Skims Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress.

So tell us, would you rather wear a figure-hugging dress, or lose fabrics that let you breathe are more your choice?