At the star-studded Variety’s Power of Women 2025 gala held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on October 29, actress Sydney Sweeney appeared on the red carpet wearing a daring, floor-skimming silver gown.
The attention it drew was immediate, dominating fashion coverage and social media chatter.
The dress, part of the Christian Cowan x Elias Matso Spring/Summer 2026 collection, featured sheer crystal-mesh material and a twisted-waist silhouette that left little to the imagination.
While the rest of the evening honoured women across entertainment, philanthropy and leadership, Sweeney’s outfit became the flashpoint, overshadowing much of the intended reverence for the honorees.
The look, the buzz and the reaction
Sweeney’s dress was praised by some fashion editors as an elegant yet fearless statement, its chain-mail effect providing sparkling movement under the lights.
However, the look also triggered push-back. Commentators such as Megyn Kelly publicly criticised the outfit, calling it “completely see-through” and a “rare misstep” at an empowerment event.
Amid the viral spotlight, the 28-year-old actress faced a moment where image and message intersected and in this case, wardrobe threatened to eclipse words.
Turning the spotlight toward substance
Rather than engage the outfit debate, Sweeney took the stage and shifted focus toward empowering dialogue. During her speech, she said:
“I know what it feels like to be underestimated, to have people define you before you’ve had a chance to define yourself.”
Her words connected to her upcoming role portraying former boxing champion Christy Martin, whose story includes surviving domestic abuse and reclaiming her narrative. The biopic, titled Christy, opens November 7. Sweeney added:
“Strength doesn’t look loud sometimes, and sometimes it’s just about getting back up again and again, no matter who’s watching.”
The Viral dress meets meaningful tribute
And here comes the moment many are talking about the viral see-through, braless gown that lit up the internet. The very dress that stole headlines became the backdrop to Sweeney’s deeper message of resilience and self-empowerment.
By choosing to dedicate her honor to Christy Martin and speaking about the importance of young girls knowing their power within, Sweeney wisely redirected attention from the style moment to the story behind it.
In that way, she transformed what could have been a red-carpet distraction into a platform for her upcoming film and the issues it tackles personal agency, survival, and redefining one’s identity.
Sweeney’s appearance at †Variety’s Power of Women gala will be remembered for two things: the astonishing gown and the grounded message.
While the internet lingered on the dress, Sweeney chose to speak about her upcoming role, the strength it required, and the legacy she hopes to build.
The former viral moment became the vehicle for something far more substantial and perhaps, far more lasting.
Featured Image: (Variety)
