Kim Kardashian made a high-profile fashion statement this weekend by wearing a revamped version of one of Gucci’s most talked-about pieces: the Gucci thong. After leaving Monaco by boat on Sunday night, following her support for boyfriend Lewis Hamilton at the Formula One Grand Prix, Kardashian wore a long-sleeved black Gucci gown covered in sparkle. The dress featured a plunging open back and a thin-strapped thong detail cinched with crystal-covered “GG” hardware, turning the look into a modern update of a famously provocative design.
The outfit was especially notable because it connected two eras of Gucci fashion. The updated thong design first appeared on Kate Moss during Gucci’s spring 2026 “Gucci Primavera” show, which was led by designer Demna, a close friend of Kardashian. That runway moment signaled a return of the daring silhouette, now reworked with a more glamorous and contemporary finish. Kardashian’s choice to wear it in Monaco showed how the piece has moved from runway concept to celebrity statement.
This was also not Kardashian’s first time wearing a Gucci thong. In 2018, she drew attention on Instagram after posting herself in the original black Gucci thong with flat silver hardware. That version was first made famous nearly 30 years earlier, when Tom Ford introduced it on both male and female models during Gucci’s spring 1997 show. At the time, the design created a stir for its barely-there aesthetic, but it quickly became one of fashion’s most recognizable and controversial accessories.
The Gucci thong has since become a fashion legend, and its recent reappearance suggests renewed interest in the style under Demna’s direction. Late last year, Hailey Bieber hinted at the trend’s return by wearing a logo-covered thong beneath a black crystal mesh dress. Then, when Kate Moss walked the runway in the sparkling new version earlier this year, it became clear that the silhouette was returning to the spotlight. Kardashian’s latest appearance confirmed that revival, showing how a once-shocking fashion idea can be reshaped for a new moment.
Kardashian is no stranger to vintage fashion, especially from the Tom Ford era at Gucci. Her wardrobe includes pieces that have appeared in fashion history before, including a belt-strapped little black dress once worn by Mariah Carey and a white, hip-baring dress from Ford’s final Gucci collection. Her style choices often bridge archival fashion and modern celebrity dressing, making her a natural fit for the label’s revived designs.
Her weekend in Monaco also reflected her growing alignment with Demna’s vision, following him from Balenciaga to Gucci. Wearing the brand across multiple occasions, Kardashian reinforced both the influence of archive fashion and the power of reinvention. Whether she chooses another vintage Gucci piece or another updated runway look next, her fashion moves are likely to keep drawing attention.
