When you’re living in the public eye, things like break ups and divorces automatically become 10 times harder.
And while most of us would react to heartbreak by changing into our baggiest, comfiest loungewear and hiding away with a tub of ice cream, these celebrities opted to show their ex what they’re missing rather than hide away.
Princess Diana arguably kicked off the revenge dress trend when she stepped out in 1994 on the same day that her ex-husband, Prince Charles, first spoke about his relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles publicly in a slinky black number.
Since then, we’ve seen homegrown stars and international icons make a public fashion statement to show their exes what they’re missing. After all, looking drop-dead gorgeous without a care in the world is the ultimate middle finger.
Keep scrolling to see the best revenge dresses in celeb history.
Princess Diana
The dress that started it all. Princess Diana’s off-the-shoulder Christina Stambolian blass number made headlines and marked the start of her independence away from the royal family.
Kate Middleton
Though their 2007 break up was short-lived, Kate Middleton made sure Prince William wouldn’t forget her when she went out on the town in an eye-catching printed frock.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine talk about their brief break up
Nicole Kidman
Aussie national treasure Nicole Kidman donned a form-fitting black dress following her divorce from Tom Cruise at the 2001 LA premiere of The Hours.
Jennifer Aniston
Bye Brad! After she and husband Brad Pitt experienced one of the messiest Hollywoood divorces in history, Jennifer Aniston rose like a phoenix from the ashes in this Chanel frock to a red carpet event in October 2005.
Angelina Jolie
More than a decade later, Brad’s second ex Angelina Jolie rocked up to the Toronto Film Festival in a stunning black number.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian won bonus points for her revenge Gucci dress and revenge hair at a Las Vegas New Year’s Eve party in 2011 following her divorce from Kris Humphries – her husband of 72 days.
Watch What Happens Live Kim Kardashian talks about Kris Humphries
Jennifer Garner
Talk about va va voom! Jennifer Garner attended her first Oscars without Ben Affleck in this glamorous black gown and was one of the best dressed celebs of the night.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow’s “conscious uncoupling” with Chris Martin was on of the defining moments of 2014 but, the Oscar winner looked stunning when she stepped out shortly afterwards to support her mum Blythe Danner for her Broadway play.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez is like a fine wine getting better with age, but she cemented her sex symbol status in this number not long after her divorce from Marc Anthony.
Reese Witherspoon
Watch and weep Ryan Phillipe. America’s sweetheart Reese Witherspoon literally glowed in this golden gown for the 2007 Golden Globes after her highly-publicised split.
Eva Longoria
Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria exuded glamour at the 2011 Golden Globes after her divorce from husband Tony Parker in this showstopper gown.
Sam Frost
Sam Frost came in red hot as Australia’s first Bachelorette – Blake Garvey who?
Alex Nation
And when Alex Nation came face-to-face with her ex Richie Strahan on Bachelor In Paradise, she was the epitome of tropical chic.
Nadia Bartel
Nadia Bartel’s Brownlow Medal dress that she donned shortly after her split from Jimmy Bartel will go down in history as one of the best revenge dresses in Aussie history.
