The Chainmail Dress: How Cold, Hard Mesh Became A Firm Fashion Favourite

If there ever was a party outfit that's garnered an A-list fan-base over the years, it's the chain-mail dress. And to the average eye, it might be hard to see why...Chainmail isn't the first fabric that comes to the fore when you think of fashion favourites; it doesn't have the romantic feel of lace nor the luscious sophistication of silk. It's cold, hard and mesh, yet somehow its appeal is enduring... 
But why? Unapologetically cool and undeniably sexy, the chainmail dress has become a statement piece since its first whirl in the 90s, when Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell stepped in out in matching Versace mesh minis. Noughties icon Paris Hilton revisited the look a few years later in 2002, wearing a barely-there, skimpy version to her 21st birthday, complete with a diamanté choker. 
 
Flash forward fourteen years and the chainmail dress has made a resurgence for 2017. Michelle Obama was triumphant in a gold Atelier Versace version for the final dinner of her and Barak's administration last year, supermodel Kendall Jenner rocked a glittering $9,000 LaBourjoisie version for her 21st birthday and Emily Ratajkowski wore one to Paris Fashion Week SS18 season, out-sexying everyone in the process. 

Michelle Obama with Barak for their final state dinner in 2016In what's sure to be a historical fashion moment, Michelle Obama wowed in a gold Atelier Versace chainmail gown for the final dinner of her and Barak's administration.

Lily Donaldson at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2016 afterpartyFor the same night, Lily Donaldson opted for this chainmail floor-length number.