Kristen Stewart just shattered the red carpet norms—again. She boldly wore underwear as outerwear at the IndieWire Honors, turning heads in a Calvin Klein ensemble that blurred the lines between intimate and public fashion. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this a daring fashion statement or a step too far? Let’s dive into the details and you decide.
The Oscar-nominated actress, styled by Tara Swennen, seamlessly merged tailored sophistication with the edgy underwear-as-outerwear trend. Her custom Calvin Klein Collection look featured a sleek black wool blazer paired with a cotton-silk bodysuit, leggings, and briefs—yes, briefs. The leggings and briefs, which debuted on Calvin Klein’s spring 2026 ready-to-wear runway during New York Fashion Week, marked the first red carpet appearance for Veronica Leoni’s vision of the brand’s underwear line. Black pointed-toe heels and accessories by Effy Jewelry and Fiametta completed the ensemble, while vintage-inspired brown sunglasses added a touch of retro cool. Stewart’s choppy hair and minimal makeup kept the focus on her bold fashion choice.
This isn’t Stewart’s first rodeo with this trend. She’s been playfully teasing the underwear-as-outerwear look for years, whether rocking boxer shorts in public or experimenting with peekaboo bra layering. Her fearless approach to fashion raises a question: Is she redefining red carpet style, or is this trend better left in the bedroom?
Calvin Klein’s creative director, Veronica Leoni, has been pushing boundaries with the brand’s spring 2026 collection, integrating underwear into its universe in a way that feels both aspirational and accessible. “Bringing the underwear into our universe, for the first time, and really owning that business,” Leoni explained. She added, “In this awareness of the brand belonging to the people, I feel that the fetish creates an aspirational and top layer to the perception and the lifestyle of the brand itself.”
And this is the part most people miss: Calvin Klein’s underwear campaigns have become a cultural phenomenon, featuring high-profile stars like Jeremy Allen White, Bad Bunny, and most recently, Spanish singer Rosalía. Stewart’s choice to wear the brand on the red carpet further cements its status as a fashion powerhouse.
The IndieWire Honors, an annual celebration of emerging talent and breakthrough artists, honored Stewart with the Maverick Award for her acting career and directorial debut, The Chronology of Water. But her fashion statement stole the show, sparking conversations about the evolving boundaries of style.
So, what do you think? Is Kristen Stewart’s underwear-as-outerwear look a bold step forward in fashion, or a trend that should stay behind closed doors? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s just getting started.
