Britney Spears left little to the imagination in her risque Dolce &amp; Gabbana dress at the MTV VMAs in 2001, and she was ahead of her time.

L&rsquo;HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today&rsquo;s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.
<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/britney-spears-versace-butterfly-dress-2002">Britney Spears</a> emerged onto the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/vmas-2024-red-carpet-taylor-swift-chappell-roan-addison-rae">MTV VMAs</a> stage in 2001 for a now-infamous performance of her hit &ldquo;I&rsquo;m a Slave 4 U,&rdquo; sporting a green bra and a massive albino yellow snake across her shoulders. Spears would take home the VMA for Pop Video as well, but those weren&rsquo;t the only notable events of her night. Before she took the stage, she stepped onto the red carpet in a see-through lace, navy-blue mini dress featuring a matching bra and underwear underneath. Her take on the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/naked-dress-celebrity-fashion-beyonce-rihanna-zoe-kravitz">naked dress</a>, even more risqu&eacute; at that time, meant that Spears made quite the statement and turned many heads in the process.
The scantily clad number is from a 2001 <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/skims-dolce-and-gabbana-collaboration-collection-shop">Dolce &amp; Gabbana</a> collection, and it also boasts long trumpet sleeves, a high neckline, and a fitted bodice. Its micro mini length coupled with the sultry, bare-all design is peak 2000s fashion and epitomizes Spears&rsquo; bold star power at the time. Twenty years later, Kourtney Kardashian Barker revived that dress in a 2021 Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTiHjTuPZUY/?img_index=1">post</a>, opting for lace tights and a triangle bralette. She hasn't been the only one taken by Spears&rsquo; lace moment.

Then-19-year-old Spears' look has since shaped the cultural zeitgeist, leaving a lasting imprint that still resonates today. A naked dress like hers has been the garb of choice in daring ensembles for everyone from <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/zoe-kravitz-red-carpet-street-style-evolution">Zoe Kravitz</a> in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/saint-laurent-spring-summer-2025-paris-fashion-week-runway-bella-hadid">Saint Laurent</a> to Rita Ora in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/alaia-fall-winter-2023-haute-couture-runway-photos">Ala&iuml;a</a> at Paris Fashion Week and pop's rising stars. <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/tyla-fringed-bra-push-2-start-music-video-watch">Tyla</a>, draped in archival <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/gucci-resort-2025-best-accessories-editorial">Gucci</a> at the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/red-carpet-highlights-winners-cfda-fashion-awards-2024">CFDAs in 2024</a> channeled something similar, as did <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/tate-mcrae-2025-tour-announcement-2-hands-single">Tate McRae</a> when turning heads in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/remembering-roberto-cavalli">Roberto Cavalli</a> at the MTV VMAs.
To emulate this outfit, go for something full-on <a href="https://www.revolve.com/superdown-violetta-sheer-mini-dress-in-black/dp/SPDW-WD2389/">barely there</a>. For more coverage, choose something that's still <a href="https://www.revolve.com/lovers-and-friends-allegre-mini-dress-in-black/dp/LOVF-WD4260/">lace with panels</a> that cover the chest and hips. Take a cue from Spears by pairing your frock with <a href="https://cinqasept.nyc/collections/footwear/products/celeste-satin-sandal-in-black">heeled strappy black sandals</a>, messy waves, and sultry smokey eye look.

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Britney Spears in Dolce and Gabbana at the MTV VMAs in 2001. Photography: Getty Images.

L'HISTOIRE: Britney Spears' Dolce & Gabbana Naked Dress at the MTV VMAs in 2001

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L'HISTOIRE: Britney Spears' Dolce & Gabbana Naked Dress at the MTV VMAs in 2001

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