Just when we thought the dress-over-pants debate had been buried somewhere in the early 2000s, it’s back. Thanks to Gigi Hadid stepping out in a yellow dress layered over jeans, fashion’s most divisive combo is once again dominating headlines. Is it a nostalgic style statement? A fashion crime? A little bit of both?
Before the trend’s latest comeback, some of Lebanon’s biggest style icons were already experimenting with the look—each in her own way. Looking back, it’s clear they weren’t afraid to mix glamour, drama, and a little Y2K chaos.
Gigi Hadid Brings Back the Y2K Favourite
Gigi Hadid‘s take feels like a modernized version of the trend. She paired a pale yellow corset-style mini dress with crystal-studded light-wash jeans, finishing the look with delicate heels and a vintage-inspired handbag. The styling balances the playful femininity of the dress with the casual ease of denim, making the once-controversial pairing feel surprisingly current again.
Nour: Casual Cool with a Fashion-Twist
Nour’s magazine-cover look feels very much of its era, but surprisingly wearable even today. She pairs an asymmetrical olive-green tunic dress with slim black pants, creating a sleek layered silhouette rather than a bulky one.
The draped fabric, slit sleeves, and statement chandelier earrings add movement and personality, while the fitted pants keep the look grounded. It’s the kind of outfit that says, “I’m fashionable,” without trying too hard.
Of the three looks, this might be the easiest to imagine walking straight into a modern wardrobe. Replace the skinny pants with tailored trousers and you’d probably spot it on Instagram tomorrow.
Najwa Karam: Boho Glam Meets Y2K
Leave it to Najwa Karam to make the trend feel glamorous.
Her cream tunic-style dress falls over blue jeans, creating a softer, more relaxed interpretation of the dress-over-pants formula. The flowing sleeves, layered necklaces, and textured fabrics lean heavily into the boho-chic aesthetic that dominated the 2000s.
What makes the look work is the contrast: a delicate, feminine top layer paired with casual denim underneath. It’s effortlessly glamorous in that very early-2000s celebrity way—part singer, part style icon, part “I definitely have a music video to film after this.”
Haifa Wehbe: The Elevated Version
If Nour gave us wearable and Najwa gave us boho glamour, Haifa Wehbe delivered the grown-up, polished version.
Her sheer black off-the-shoulder tunic layered over white pants feels less like a trend experiment and more like a deliberate styling choice. The monochrome palette, dramatic makeup, and textured waves create a sophisticated look that doesn’t scream “dress over pants” at first glance.
The sheer fabric keeps the outfit light and modern, while the white trousers add contrast and structure. It’s proof that the formula can work when the proportions are balanced and the styling is confident.
Honestly, if this photo appeared in a fashion editorial today, most people probably wouldn’t question it.
Nour Proved the Trend Was Peak 2000s
If there was ever a look that perfectly captured early-2000s fashion, it was this one. In a magazine photoshoot from the era, Nour wore a crisp white shirt dress layered over cropped white trousers, creating the exact silhouette that dominated wardrobes at the time. She completed the look with a long metallic scarf, capri-style pants gathered at the hem, and simple sandals. Monochromatic, polished, and unmistakably Y2K, it’s the kind of outfit that instantly transports you back to the days when layering a dress over pants felt like the height of fashion sophistication.
So… Was It Ever Really a Fashion Crime?
The dress-over-pants trend has always divided people because it sits somewhere between genius and chaos. When the proportions are off, it can look awkward. When they’re right, it feels unexpectedly cool.
Looking back at these Lebanese style icons, it’s clear the trend wasn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. Nour made it chic and wearable, Najwa embraced its bohemian spirit, and Haifa elevated it into something sleek and glamorous.
So while the fashion world argues over Gigi Hadid’s latest look, one thing is certain: Lebanese stars were already playing with the dress-over-pants trend long before its current revival—and they made it look a lot more fun.
WE SAID THIS: Don’t Miss…How Arab Fashion Girls Are Wearing Butter Yellow This Season
