Red Carpet Ready: Steal Zendaya’s Edgy Backless Look for Your Next Gala

May 25, 2026

Let’s be real. When we are looking for formal wear inspo, we aren't looking at random mannequins in a department store. We are looking at our feeds. We are looking at the red carpet. And right now, there is one person who completely owns it every single time she steps out of her ride: Zendaya.

She is the ultimate modern fashion icon. She knows exactly how to serve viral celebrity fashion looks that people obsess over for months. While she can totally rock a massive ballgown or a snatched suit, there is one specific silhouette that has become her ultimate secret weapon. It is the edgy, backless evening gown.

You have seen the paparazzi shots. From the front, the dress looks sleek, covered up, and highly sophisticated. But when she turns around for the cameras? Boom. It is completely open, dramatic, and highkey unexpected.

If you have a massive event coming up and you want to bring that exact same main character energy to the room, the backless gown is the way to go. Here is your complete guide to stealing Zendaya’s iconic look, mastering Hollywood glam formal dresses, and being the absolute best-dressed person at your next gala.

The Anatomy of the Look: Business in the Front, Party in the Back

The reason Zendaya’s backless looks so hard is that they are all about balance. If you rock a dress with a plunging V-neck, a crazy high leg slit, and an open back, it can quickly look a bit messy or like you're doing the absolute most for a classy event.

The trick is contrast. The best backless formal dresses for gala events usually have super modest fronts. Think high boat-necklines, long sleeves, or a sleek, simple halter top. By keeping the front of the fit somewhat low-key, the open back becomes a massive plot twist. It is a highly sophisticated way to show some skin. It literally tells everyone in the room that you know exactly what you are doing.

Why LA is Obsessed with the Open Back

If you look at current LA gala fashion trends, heavy, stiff dresses are totally out. Los Angeles is a city that lives for a relaxed, "cool girl" aesthetic, even at the strictest black-tie events.

An open-back dress perfectly captures that elite West Coast energy. It is comfy, it lets your skin breathe (which is a lifesaver if you are dancing in a hot, crowded ballroom), and it gives off major confident vibes. You do not look like you are trying way too hard to be fancy. You just look effortlessly glamorous. Whether you are hitting a charity dinner in Beverly Hills or a bougie formal wedding, this silhouette fits the vibe perfectly.

How to Pull It Off: The Undergarment Secret

Okay, let’s spill the tea on the elephant in the room. The number one reason girls avoid backless dresses is that they literally have no idea what to do about a bra. We are so used to standard undergarments that an open back feels a little terrifying. But do not stress, the fashion industry has totally solved this problem.

For Smaller Busts: If you do not need a ton of lift, silicone nipple covers (pasties) are your best friend. They give you a flawless finish under thin fabrics without any sticky bands ruining the look.

For Larger Busts: Look into body tape (aka boob tape). This is a strong, skin-safe athletic tape that you can cut and apply to lift and snatch your chest exactly how you want it, completely hiding the tape under the front of the dress. It takes a little practice, but it is an absolute game-changer for celebrity style formal wear.

The Dress Outlet Hack: A ton of the high-quality dresses we carry, especially from designers like Nox Anabel, come with crazy supportive, built-in padded cups. The dress literally does the lifting for you!

Prepping Your "Canvas" (The Skin)

When you rock an open-back dress, your back literally becomes the main accessory. You want it to look just as glowing and filtered as your face. Celebs like Zendaya always make sure their skin is serving pure radiance under the paparazzi flashes.

A few days before your event, use a gentle body scrub on your back to ditch any dry skin. On the night of the gala, after you put the dress on, have your bestie help you apply a shimmering body lotion or dust some highlighter powder down your spine and across your shoulder blades. It catches the lighting beautifully when you walk and gives you that insanely expensive, million-dollar glow.

Styling the Look: Keep it Edgy

To really capture Zendaya’s edgy aesthetic, you have to nail the styling. This is totally not the time for stiff pageant curls or heavy, chunky necklaces.

The Hair: Since the whole point of the dress is the open back, do not ruin it by covering it up with long hair! Wear your hair up. A sleek, slicked-back topknot, a messy modern bun, or even a wet-look short bob looks insane. If you absolutely must wear your hair down, sweep it completely over one shoulder so the back stays bare.

The Jewelry: Ditch the necklace entirely. A necklace clasp chilling on your bare back looks messy. Instead, go for a pair of sharp, dramatic statement earrings. A long silver drop earring or a chunky gold hoop adds that edgy, modern touch.

The Posture: A backless dress requires major posture. Keep your shoulders pulled back and your chin up. When you take photos for the gram, hit the classic red-carpet pose: turn your back to the camera and look back over your shoulder.

Formal Dresses Long Sleeveless Fitted Formal Dress Black

Steal the Look at The Dress Outlet

You might look at viral celebrity fashion looks and think you need to drop $10,000 on a custom designer gown to look that fire. That is simply not true. At The Dress Outlet, we believe you can get that exact same jaw-dropping red-carpet energy on a realistic budget.

We have stocked our 2026 collection with the most insane backless gowns on the market. If you want that sleek, minimalist Zendaya look, check out our smooth, heavy satin gowns that drape perfectly over the body. If you want something a bit more extra, we have gorgeous backless dresses fully drenched in liquid sequins or rich velvet.

We carry amazing brands that actually understand how to cut a backless dress so it stays secure and showcases your natural curves. Whether you need a sleek black gown for a winter gala or a bright, bold jewel-toned dress for a bougie formal wedding, we have hundreds of options.

We also know that confidence comes from a flawless fit, which is why our collections are available in inclusive sizing. You can easily score these high-fashion, red-carpet-ready looks for well under $200.

This year, don't just blend in with the crowd. Channel your inner fashion icon, show a little skin in the most elevated way possible, and get ready to break necks the second you walk away.

More from News

fashion forecast 2026

The 2026 Trend Report: 8 Dress Trends Set to Soar This Summer

Ready for your summer wardrobe update 2026? This definitive Trend Report highlights the 8 best summer dress trends for women 2026, focusing on airy elegance and vibrant new palettes. From the rise ...

Your cart is empty