Celebrity fashion trends come and go, but some styles manage to remain memorable long after they first appear. From dramatic gowns and daring cutouts to elegant dresses with unexpected details, Hollywood stars have often used fashion to make a statement.
One look that became especially popular during the 2010s was the side-cutout style. Rather than relying on traditional plunging necklines, these outfits created a more subtle effect by revealing a glimpse of skin along the side of the dress or swimsuit.
The trend appeared everywhere from red-carpet premieres and award shows to magazine shoots and beachwear campaigns. Some celebrities kept their looks elegant and understated, while others embraced much bolder designs.
Here are 15 celebrities who made memorable appearances in side-cutout and side-revealing styles.
15. Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway is often associated with sophisticated red-carpet fashion, but the actress has also embraced more daring looks throughout her career. This particular appearance showed how a carefully designed side opening could add a dramatic edge to an otherwise polished ensemble.
Hathaway has never been afraid to experiment with fashion, and this look offered a striking example of her ability to balance classic Hollywood glamour with a more modern silhouette.
14. Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid quickly became one of the most recognizable faces in fashion, and her ability to carry off a wide variety of styles helped establish her as a major model. This swimsuit-inspired look demonstrates why designers have frequently chosen her for fashion campaigns and editorial shoots.
The combination of a sleek silhouette and strategically placed side detail gives the outfit a confident, contemporary appearance while keeping the overall look fashion-focused.
13. Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus has built a reputation for taking fashion risks, and this dramatic outfit is certainly consistent with her adventurous personal style.
The design leaves little doubt about the statement she was trying to make. Whether the look is considered daring or unconventional, it demonstrates why Cyrus has frequently appeared on lists of celebrities known for pushing fashion boundaries.
12. Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner became a major fashion and social-media personality at a remarkably young age. Her style has frequently included bold silhouettes, body-conscious designs and eye-catching details.
This red look is a good example of the aesthetic that helped make her fashion choices such a frequent topic of conversation. The side detail adds another element to an already attention-grabbing outfit.
11. Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner has become one of the most prominent models of her generation, so it should come as no surprise that she has appeared in plenty of memorable fashion moments.
Her appearance at the 2015 Met Gala was particularly notable. Wearing a striking Calvin Klein gown, Jenner demonstrated how carefully positioned cutouts can transform a sleek evening dress into something much more dramatic.
The look perfectly captured the balance between high fashion and modern glamour that has become a signature part of Jenner's red-carpet style.
10. Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian has long been associated with bold fashion choices, and revealing silhouettes have played a major role in her distinctive style.
This particular outfit combines a dramatic low back with a side-revealing design, creating a look that is both glamorous and unmistakably Kardashian. Rather than saving a statement outfit exclusively for major events, Kim has often incorporated attention-grabbing fashion into her everyday public appearances.
9. Katy Perry
Katy Perry is known for colorful costumes and playful stage fashion, but she has also shown that she can pull off a much more understated look.
This appearance puts the focus on a simple, confident silhouette, with the side-revealing detail adding visual interest. It is a reminder that sometimes a relatively simple fashion choice can create a memorable celebrity look.
8. Rosamund Pike
Rosamund Pike became internationally recognized for her acclaimed performance in Gone Girl, but her red-carpet fashion has also attracted plenty of attention.
This look shows how a sophisticated dress can incorporate a daring side detail without losing its elegant character. Pike's fashion choices often combine classic styling with contemporary elements, making this a particularly memorable example.
7. Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore is generally known for an elegant and relatively understated fashion sense, which makes this older look particularly interesting.
The photo dates back to the premiere of Saved!, giving fans a glimpse at a different side of Moore's early red-carpet style. The outfit uses a strategically positioned opening to add a little drama while maintaining a polished overall appearance.
6. Blake Lively
Blake Lively has become one of Hollywood's most recognizable style stars, and her red-carpet wardrobe regularly demonstrates her ability to combine sophistication with daring details.
This dress keeps the overall design relatively classic while introducing a subtle side opening. The result is a glamorous look that proves a fashion statement doesn't always need to be extremely revealing to attract attention.
5. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez has been a major presence in entertainment for decades, and her fashion choices have become almost as recognizable as her music and acting career.
This striking dress highlights why Lopez has remained such a memorable red-carpet style icon. The design features dramatic cutouts while maintaining a carefully structured silhouette, allowing the outfit to make a strong visual impact.
Lopez has consistently demonstrated that confidence and styling can turn even an unconventional outfit into a standout fashion moment.
4. Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence became one of Hollywood's biggest stars thanks to major roles in films including The Hunger Games, X-Men, Silver Linings Playbook and Joy.
Her approachable personality has often contrasted with her glamorous red-carpet appearances. This outfit is a great example of how Lawrence could embrace a more daring fashion moment while still maintaining her relaxed and confident image.
3. Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie has been a Hollywood style icon for years, and her approach to fashion has often favored elegant silhouettes with carefully chosen dramatic details.
This look demonstrates that approach perfectly. Rather than relying on an excessively complicated design, the outfit uses a simple silhouette and a strategically placed side opening to create visual interest.
Jolie's combination of classic elegance and understated glamour has helped make many of her red-carpet appearances instantly recognizable.
2. Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen has made a name for herself as a model, television personality, cookbook author and social-media personality. Her fashion choices have also made her a regular fixture on celebrity style lists.
This look shows Teigen embracing one of the more daring trends of the era. The side-revealing design adds an unexpected element to the outfit while maintaining the polished styling associated with a professional fashion shoot.
Her confident approach to fashion is one reason she has remained a memorable presence in celebrity style coverage.
1. Kate Upton
Kate Upton takes the top spot thanks to the strong connection between her career and iconic swimwear photography. Her appearances in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit helped establish her as one of the most recognizable models of her generation.
This particular image captures the playful, glamorous style that became closely associated with Upton's early modeling career. The swimsuit's side design creates a dramatic silhouette while keeping the focus on the overall composition of the photograph.
From magazine covers to viral videos and major fashion campaigns, Upton has had plenty of memorable fashion moments. For this list, her confident approach to swimwear style earns her the No. 1 spot.
Final Thoughts
Fashion is constantly changing, and trends that once seemed daring can eventually become mainstream. The side-cutout look was one of the defining celebrity fashion trends of the 2010s, appearing in everything from red-carpet gowns to swimwear.
Whether you prefer subtle cutouts or dramatic designs, these 15 celebrities demonstrated just how many different ways the trend could be styled. From classic Hollywood glamour to bold modern fashion, each celebrity brought a distinctive personality to the look.