Gabrielle Union Just Wore the Controversial 2000s Dress-Over-Pants Trend on the Red Carpet

Here’s how you can recreate the Y2K phenomenon.

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Published on December 2, 2022 @ 03:00PM

Gabrielle Union LOTD — Photo:
Getty Images

Early 2000s fashion trends have made a major comeback over the last year — from graphic tees and vests to halter tops and cargo pants. And celebrities like Bella Hadid and Addison Rae have been big purveyors of the Y2K style craze. But now, early aughts icon Gabrielle Union has just resurrected one of the more controversial fads: a dress over pants.

On Thursday, the Bring It On star attended the opening night red carpet of Broadway’s Ain’t No Mo’ in a long, black, sequin and fringe dress with sky-high leg slits to reveal a matching pair of tailored pants with zipper detailing underneath. She completed the look with coordinating pointy-toe pumps and blingy diamond drop earrings. Her hair was styled in the cutest high ponytail with flipped-out edges and side-swept bangs slicked to her forehead.

Union isn’t even the first to bring back the strange pairing — Yara Shahidi, Emma Watson, Zendaya, and Lizzo have all recently taken the trend out for a spin. Plus, the combo has been littered all over the runways the past couple seasons from Louis Vuitton to Proenza Schouler.

If you’re brave enough to sport the trend, it’s actually pretty simple to put together. A dress with an open or sheer bottom will allow the trousers to peek through, and fitted bottoms work best when layering under the frock. But the real key to pulling off the look is your confidence. Channel your inner 2000s Ashley Tisdale and shop some of our favorite pieces below to recreate the look.