The Butt-Cutout Trend Is Dominating Hollywood, From Julia Fox to Cardi B

Updated on Oct 18, 2023 at 7:20 PM

Jason Merritt/Radarpics/Shutterstock

Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

A definite departure from the hip cleavage championed by the likes of Kim Kardashian or the thong dress worn by Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa, butt cutouts are decidedly more kitschy. They're also widely open to interpretation. It was first witnessed by way of Anitta's unconventional Mugler dress at the 2022 American Music Awards, where her paisley-shaped cutaways 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 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 butt-cheek-revealing catsuit 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 polarizing — forcing onlookers to consider the inevitable question, "Hmm . . . would I wear that?" If you're on the fence, something like Chlöe's sheer-paneled design could be an option. And Lizzo's Yitty shapewear collection now includes the above mesh dress, to be worn with or without briefs or biker shorts underneath, depending on your comfort level.

Unsurprisingly, Julia Fox one-upped the entire roster in a leather ensemble by The Uncommonist while attending shows during New York Fashion Week in February. Her butt cutouts were, lo and behold, highlighted by a horse's tail. On June 14, Fox attended Luisaviaroma x British Vogue's Runway Icons show in a Samuel Lewis-designed red angel sequined gown that featured — sure enough — a cutout circling her butt cheeks. One week later, Gabrielle Union stepped out for the premiere of her new Netflix film "The Perfect Find," sporting a Burc Akyol sheer-paneled dress with the most prominent peekaboo cutaways at the top and bottom of her butt cheeks. She spun around on the red carpet to show off the look for all its worth.

Ahead, see several instances of celebrities fully embracing the butt-cutout trend and making it their own, whether they're on stage, attending an event, or just hanging out at home, thereby proving the obvious: we could all be rocking butt cutouts as early as next week.

Julia Fox Wearing Butt-Cutout Pants

Julia Fox stepped out for Sorel's Brooklyn Pop-Up launch party on Oct. 12, pairing pants with a heart-shaped butt cutout with Sorel's Brex Heel Lace Bootie ($200).

Sorel's Brex Heel Lace Bootie

From

$200

Cardi B Wearing a Butt-Cutout Catsuit

Cardi B headlined the Hot 97 Summer Jam music festival in New York on June 4, 2023 rocking a skintight pink cutout catsuit with a plunging, lace-up neckline that mimicked the effect of her tattoo-revealing hip cutouts, which wrapped all the way around to her butt cheeks. The look was also replete with matching opera-length gloves in the same fabric.

Cardi B Wearing a Butt-Cutout Catsuit

Gabrielle Union Wearing a Butt-Cutout Dress

Attending the premiere of her film "The Perfect Find," Union wore Burc Akyol'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 butt cheeks. The look was styled by Thomas Christos Kikis and finished with Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Julia Fox Wearing a Butt-Cutout Dress

Fox attended Luisaviaroma x British Vogue's Runway Icons fashion show at Piazzale Michelangelo in a Samuel Lewis-crafted red angel corset and skirt from his graduate collection "Do Angels Need Haircuts?" Styled by Briana Andalore, a bright red latex thong peeked out from the opening that circled her butt cheeks. The ensemble was finished with a Blumarine rhinestone-encrusted purse and caged platform heels.

Lizzo Wearing a Butt-Cutout Yitty Dress

In keeping with her affinity for showing off her Yitty shapewear collection, Lizzo flaunted her nearly naked open knit midi dress, which boasts a halter neckline and wide weave mesh-like cutouts. Of course, you can wear it with briefs, or go completely bare underneath.

Julia Fox Wearing a Leather Butt-Cutout Skirt

While February 2023 New York Fashion Week was not the first time Fox spotlighted her butt with cutouts, her look by TheUncommonist was certainly one of the most polarizing. The actor and model's leather skirt was replete with a horse's tail to parallel her animal purse.

Chlöe Wearing a Sheer-Panel Butt-Cutout Catsuit

While Chlöe's buzzy ensemble didn't bare skin, her look's sheer panels fell in line with the butt-cutout trend, with see-through cutaways wrapping around to her bum. She accessorized the design with a chain-link choker and silver hoops.

Anitta Wearing a Butt-Cutout Dress

Anitta's November 2022 American Music Awards appearance in LA kicked off the butt-cutout trend, with her shimmering Mugler dress making headlines as soon as she hit the red carpet. She finished her look with Tiffany & Co. jewelry, 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.