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The Showgirl Style Trend Goes Way Beyond Taylor Swift

I try my best to live without regrets, but I have to admit—I'm kicking myself for not writing this story six months ago. Call it a trend tingle if you will, but circa last April, I started to notice that classic Vegas showgirl style was trickling into the mainstream. And then bam, flash forward to August, and Taylor Swift announced her 13th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, and suddenly spangles and headpieces were everywhere I looked.

But that doesn't mean the trend has any less juice; in fact, it just cements it as one of the year's biggest style moments. And while it sounds like it might be reserved for pop stars, it's actually pretty easy to wear yourself. Ahead, everything you need to know about the trend, plus how to channel your inner Dita, Nomi, Shelly, or Taylor.

The Trend

Obviously, the trend is nothing new. Actual showgirls date back to 1800s Paris, and the Vegas showgirl reached the height of their popularity during the '50s and '60s. The showgirl has been a pop culture staple, but has experienced a bit of a resurgence in the past few years. The 1995 camp classic Showgirls turned 25 this year, and gained a new audience thanks in part to Ariana Grande paying homage to the film for Halloween in 2023. Then there's 2024's The Last Showgirl, which marked Pamela Anderson's acting return as Shelly, a career showgirl clinging to the disappearing art.

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These two films, as well as a longing for something playful and fun after a few years of "clean girl makeup" and "quiet luxury" set the stage for the return of showgirl style this spring. All the coolest girls I follow on Instagram were once again sharing the now iconic images of Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington walking Anna Sui's 1994 show, and over on TikTok I was served video after video of girls exploring vintage Las Vegas, often picking up vintage showgirl bras and garters along the way.

@addisonraee/Instagram

But when it comes to putting showgirl style back on the map, I have to give credit to Addison Rae. Yes, pulling from showgirl aesthetics is a popstar staple—Kylie Minogue had her very own showgirl era circa 2005—but Rae put her own fresh spin on the look, opting for a more "off duty" showgirl look. She wears beaded bras with flared jeans, '50s pinup playsuits to run errands, and on stage, she ditches the headpiece, pairing her spangled sets with a head of loose waves. She even wore a beaded gown belonging to burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee for an appearance on Jimmy Fallon.

Pop star Slayyyter has also been quietly championing the aesthetic, most prominently in her music video for "Cannibalism," released this July, where she mesmerizingly sways her hips to the beat, shaking the beads on her sparkling two-piece (which she beaded by hand, by the way) . And of course, there's the Taylor Swift of it all, who took a major stylistic departure for the album art for TLOASG. It's perhaps the most skin she's ever shown, as well as being glitterier and more glamorous than her usual stripped-down style in recent years.

How to Get the Look

Of course, these looks don't just come out of nowhere, and the trend's resurgence is just as much in thanks to the brands designing the pieces as the pop girls who are wearing them. A major player in the showgirl aesthetic is L.A. based brand Brody, who has made several custom pieces for Rae's recent looks. Her (very affordable) pieces include fringed bras—which have also been spotted on all three Haim sisters—tulle-bustled hot pants, and lots and lots of sequins.

Gucci

There's also New York based Miss Claire Sullivan, another favorite of Rae's who made her feather-dusted VMAs tutu and bullet bra. While her designs tend to be a less literal take on the showgirl, Sullivan's signature tulle-bustled skirts mirror the shape of a feathered tail on a Vegas stage. But if it's actual feathers you're after, you'll find them in droves in Gucci's SS/26 La Familia collection, which featured several dramatic feather-trimmed gowns.

Miss Claire Sullivan

Feathers were also prominently featured on the spring runways at Prabal Gurung, Ffrorm, Stella McCartney, and Balenciaga. Chanel even showed feathered headdresses, though they had more of a hooded shape than the traditional tall plume. The Blonds always add a touch of showgirl pizzazz to its collections—Swift wore one of the corsets on "Showgirls"' cover—and the SS26 show was no different. There were bedazzled corsets, high-cut leotards, and tiny little hats that mirrored the shape of a showgirl's headpiece. And of course, Dario Vitale's debut collection for Versace—or Versayce—included plenty of Vegas-worthy pieces, including a beaded bra and panty Rae made a part of her tour costumes.

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Sure, this look is a bit much if you are not a pop star, but consider taking the showgirl style to your everyday, as more of an overall vibe than an exact look. Besides, there's no better time to have a little fun with your clothes than the holiday season. Why not try a fringed dress for your next party? Or, make like Rae and pair a special bra with your favorite jeans. Or, for a little more coverage, try a bedazzled corset instead. Skirts with a bustled look bring the drama, and they give the effect of a trail of feathers streaming behind you.

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For a more subtle take on the trend, accessories will be your best friend. Swap your go-to tights for a sparkly pair of fishnets. Wear a large jeweled necklace to your favorite LBD. Try a feather bolero, a long string of pearls, or opera gloves!

Whatever you do, don't be afraid to put on a show.

Brody Mae Bra