Olivia Rodrigo's Babydoll Dress Sparks Social Media Backlash
Fashion and femininity have long been intertwined, with women serving as both the creators and consumers of trends. While this grants them autonomy over their choices, some individuals still feel entitled to dictate how women should dress. Olivia Rodrigo, a 23-year-old pop star from the United States, is the latest target of such criticism after wearing a 'babydoll' dress during a performance in Barcelona.
For her Spotify Billions Club performance, Rodrigo donned a floral puff-sleeved top embellished with ribbons and crystals by French brand Generation78, paired with peekaboo bloomer shorts and knee-high Doc Martens boots. The outfit quickly drew ire from social media users, who accused her of dressing like a toddler or engaging in inappropriate cosplay.
Backlash for Babydoll Dress
Numerous netizens took to platforms like X to voice their disapproval. One user wrote, 'She is wearing pink dresses that are similar to what toddlers wear with frilly underwear beneath them.' Another added, 'Looks like she's cosplaying as a kid and it's weird.' A third questioned, 'No because in what world would her musical aesthetic ever require making herself look like a toddler?'
Eras in the Music Industry
In today's pop landscape, artists often define their music through distinct eras or aesthetics, keeping their work fresh and engaging. From Charlie XCX's 'brat' summer to Taylor Swift's 'folklore' vibe, musicians immerse themselves in a chosen style for each album. Rodrigo has embraced the babydoll silhouette for her upcoming album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl so in Love.
The album cover features her swinging skyward in a pale pink Peter Pan collar mini dress, white socks, and patent Mary Jane heels. In the lead single 'Drop Dead,' she wears a ruffled blue Chloe Pre-Fall 2026 blouse and silk tap shorts. 'My Pinterest is all babydoll dresses and '70s necklines,' Rodrigo told British Vogue. 'I want it all to feel fun and laid-back.' Her stylists, Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo, drew inspiration from Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs archives to create a style that is 'effortless, feminine, with a slightly undone feel.'
The Babydoll Fuss
This is not the first time the babydoll dress has sparked controversy. The style originated in the 1940s when lingerie designer Sylvia Pedlar created ultra-short nightgowns and matching bloomers due to wartime fabric rationing. Soon, designers like Cristóbal Balenciaga and Hubert de Givenchy adapted the trapeze and ruffled silhouette into high fashion.
In the 1960s, the babydoll dress became a symbol of youth rebellion against cinched waists. By the 1990s, it transformed into a symbol of vengeance as female rockers paired it with bold red lips, bleached blonde hair, torn stockings, and Mary Janes. Known as 'kinderwhore'—a term coined by British music journalist Everett True and Babes in Toyland's Kat Bjelland—the aesthetic originated from Bjelland and Hole's Courtney Love. It aimed to reclaim the fetishization of youth by the patriarchy, turning the innocent, powerless girl archetype into a wicked, powerful creature.
Rodrigo, raised on 1990s women-led rock bands, understands this emphasis. 'I really love the idea of a babydoll dress,' she told Vogue. 'I just remember being younger and having pictures of Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland from all these riot grrrl punk bands in their babydoll dresses, just owning it.'
The Push for 'Right' Feminism
It seems the world struggles to accept women as fully grown individuals with unique personalities. Music artists, especially those with Disney backgrounds, often face trolling for their style choices. Sabrina Carpenter, known for her 'slumber-party chic' featuring babydoll dresses and lingerie, has also been criticized for her 'pantless' and 'revealing' outfits. As a 4'11' performer, she has explained that going without pants flatters her stature and provides comfort.
Now, Rodrigo faces backlash for reclaiming a dress that is feminine, symbolic of music history, and aligned with her album's message. Previously, Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown also battled trolling when she began dressing her age rather than like her character. It appears that some believe they have the right to dictate women's fashion, despite women having dressed themselves for years. In such times, stars like Rodrigo who hold strong and refuse to back down inspire fans of all ages.
