Charli XCX, the British pop star famous for setting trends, transformed the word “Brat” into a cultural phenomenon last summer, complete with a signature look featuring cigarettes, a lighter, and a strappy white top worn braless.
So fans were surprised when she chose a more classic bridal style for her wedding to George Daniel, drummer of The 1975, last weekend. Arriving at Hackney Town Hall in East London, she wore a white corseted minidress by Vivienne Westwood, paired with traditional touches—a bouquet of white cosmos and dahlias, a short veil, and slingback heels.
Though the look was more conventional than rebellious, Alexandra Macon, Vogue.com’s weddings editor and founder of Over The Moon, called the designer choice a “perfect match.” “Vivienne Westwood has built a legacy as the ultimate ‘anti-bride’ icon in bridal fashion,” Macon said.
The dress’s influence dates back to 2008, when Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw was left at the altar in a sweeping Westwood gown. Despite the fictional heartbreak, the brand became a millennial bridal favorite. Now, Gen Z has its own Westwood muse—Charli’s shorter hemline proving the label’s lasting appeal.
Her dress was inspired by Westwood’s Cocotte design, first seen in her 1995 autumn/winter collection. With a plunging neckline, corseted waist, and draped hips, the original paid homage to 17th-century French courtesan Ninon de l’Enclos. Westwood revolutionized the corset, replacing laces with zips and adding stretch panels for comfort.
The silhouette remains a celebrity favorite. Dita Von Teese wore a purple version in 2005, Hailey Bieber opted for a mini style, and Demi Lovato chose a longer cut with a cathedral veil. In June, actress Vicky Krieps wore a rose-patterned Cocotte for her Greek island wedding, while model Daisy Lowe customized hers with a bustle and slit.
Vogue dubbed it “the wedding dress of the decade,” and Macon notes its enduring appeal: “Instantly recognizable and beloved, which is why we see it again and again.”
Westwood’s bridal legacy began in the 1990s when model Sara Stockbridge walked the runway as an unconventional bride, cradling her baby in a dress inspired by an 18th-century painting. Today, bridalwear is a cornerstone of the brand, with a dedicated atelier and its first standalone bridal show staged earlier this year.Writer and influencer Katherine Ormerod tried on 120 wedding dresses before unexpectedly falling for a Cocotte design.
“No one wants to feel basic or like they’re wearing something everyone else has,” she says. “But after years in fashion, I’ve learned the difference between fleeting trends and truly iconic designs—the kind that stay popular for good reason.”
The Cocotte dress is in high demand on resale and rental sites. Ormerod describes it as “a refreshing break from algorithm-driven trends—a little rebellious compared to traditional lace and long trains.”
Six months after her wedding, she sold her dress. “The thought of it gathering dust like Miss Havisham’s was too sad,” she says. “It sold quickly—within two weeks, another bride was wearing it.”
