A definite departure from the hip cleavage championed by the likes of Kim Kardashian [1] or the thong dress [2] worn by Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa, bum cutouts are decidedly more kitschy. They're also widely open to interpretation. First witnessed by way of Anitta's unconventional Mugler dress [3] at the 2022 American Music Awards, the paisley-shaped, sparkly-lined cutaway made headlines as a divisive red carpet trend. Fast forward to summer 2023, and the look has trickled down to Ashley Graham's street style (she coordinated a Jean Paul Gaultier ribbed sweater set [4] with Gucci slingbacks and a quilted Chanel purse just one day after the Met Gala — and if there's ever a time to make a statement, it's in the days surrounding fashion's prom night).
Meanwhile, Cardi B's strappy, bum-cheek-revealing catsuit [5] followed one month later at the Hot 97 Summer Jam music festival in New York. It could be classified as costume garb designed for a performance, but it was comparably polarising — forcing onlookers to consider the inevitable question, "Hmm . . . would I wear that?" If you're on the fence, something like Chlöe's sheer-panelled design [6] could be an option. And Lizzo's Yitty shapewear collection [7] now includes the above mesh dress, to be worn with or without briefs or biker shorts underneath, depending on your own level of comfort.
Unsurprisingly, Julia Fox one-upped the entire roster in a leather ensemble by TheUncommunist while attending shows during New York Fashion Week [8] in February. Her own bum cutouts were, lo and behold, highlighted by a horse's tail. But on 14 June, Fox attended Luisaviaroma x British Vogue's Runway Icons show in a Samuel Lewis [9]-designed red angel sequinned gown that featured a cutout circling her butt cheeks. A red latex thong peeked out from the peekaboo insert. With a scrunchie-style gathering at the hips that wrapped around her head, achieving the subtle look of devil horns, the outfit was finished with a Blumarine purse, caged platforms, and ultra-saturated pink eye makeup by Sergio Antón De Las Nieves [10] that was highlighted by a custom headpiece from Olia Svetlanova [11].
Ahead, see several instances of celebrities fully embracing the butt-cutout trend and making it their own, whether they were on stage, attending an event, or just hanging out at home, thereby proving the obvious: we could all be rocking bum cutouts as early as next week.
Julia Fox Wearing Bum-Cutout Trousers
Julia Fox stepped out for Sorel's Brooklyn Pop-Up launch party on 12 Oct., pairing trousers with a heart-shaped bum cutout with Sorel's Brex Heel Lace Boots.
Cardi B Wearing a Bum-Cutout Catsuit
Cardi B headlined the Hot 97 Summer Jam music festival in New York on 4 June, 2023 rocking a skintight pink cutout catsuit [13] with a plunging, lace-up neckline that mimicked the effect of her tattoo-revealing hip cutouts, which wrapped all the way around to her bum cheeks. The look was also replete with matching opera-length gloves in the same fabric.
Cardi B Wearing a Bum-Cutout Catsuit
Gabrielle Union Wearing a Bum-Cutout Dress
Attending the premiere of her film "The Perfect Find," Union wore Burc Akyol [14]'s signature yacht dress, which features gathered sheer panels affixed to a satin bodysuit. She spun around on the red carpet to reveal the two most prominent panels, with cutaways at the bum cheeks. The look was styled by Thomas Christos Kikis [15] and finished with Tiffany & Co. jewellery.
Julia Fox Wearing a Bum-Cutout Dress
Fox attended Luisaviaroma x British Vogue's Runway Icons fashion show at Piazzale Michelangelo in a Samuel Lewis [16]-crafted red angel corset and skirt from his graduate collection "Do Angels Need Haircuts?" Styled by Briana Andalore [17], a bright red latex thong peeked out from the opening that circled her bum cheeks. The ensemble was finished with a Blumarine rhinestone-encrusted purse and caged platform heels.
Julia Fox Wearing a Leather Bum Cutout Skirt
While February 2023 New York Fashion Week was not the first time Fox spotlighted her bum with cutouts, her look by TheUncommonist was certainly one of the most polarising. The actress and model's leather skirt was replete with a horse's tail to parallel her animal purse.
Anitta Wearing a Bum Cutout Dress
Anitta's November 2022 American Music Awards appearance in LA kicked off the butt cutout trend, with her shimmering Mugler dress [22] making headlines as soon as she hit the red carpet. She finished her look with Tiffany & Co. jewellery, including six silver cuff bracelets and a dazzling set of rings. Anitta also tied her hair back into a divisive "wet flip bun," drawing attention to her sparkling chandelier earrings.
Anitta Wearing a Bum Cutout Dress
