Zendaya Blends Bridal Lingerie and "Something Blue" Into One 'Tonight Show' Dress

She's channeling an after-hours bride.

Zendaya went on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' in a lacy, lingerie-inspired "something blue" dress
(Image credit: Getty Images)

"Something blue" is by far the boldest requisite in the "old, new, borrowed, and blue" wedding tradition. That said, it's common for brides to wear the shade in a subtle way, perhaps on earrings, a hair pin, or even beneath their gown as lingerie. Case in point: Zendaya's "something blue" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon traded a "groom's eyes only" garter for a lingerie-inspired dress fresh from her The Drama character's honeymoon luggage.

It's been almost a decade since Zendaya visited Fallon's couch, but you wouldn't know it. Stylist Law Roach nailed the late-night dress code with help from Zimmermann's Fall 2026 line. Co-star Robert Pattinson's low-key blazer and jeans ensured all eyes went to Z's semi-sheer, navy blue dress.

Zendaya went on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' in a lacy, lingerie-inspired "something blue" dress

Zendaya and Robert Pattison posed together post-Tonight Show, but Z's nearly-naked "something blue" dress stood out.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The velvet-trimmed bralette and matching under-bust corset turned the gown more opaque. At her hips, an undone garter belt dangled on top of the pleated skirt. Short lace ruffles made to mimic a pannier skirt added volume to the otherwise sleek piece. Then, the skirt's asymmetrical hem matched the transparency of Zendaya's sleeves, revealing her black Christian Louboutin So Kate stilettos.

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A model wore Zendaya's dress on the Zimmermann Fall 2026 runway

A model wore Zendaya's dress on the Zimmermann Fall 2026 runway.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

The Dune actor would've pulled off Zimmermann's runway navy-and-canary color combination, no problem. But instead, she let her six-figure watch do all the talking. Rolex's newly-minted brand ambassador chose the Lady-Datejust, of which the catalog offers hundreds of models. Zendaya and Roach narrowed it down to the most bejeweled timepiece, featuring pavé diamonds atop the watch face, dial, bezel, and band. It'd set watch collectors back $177,400, but since Z's Jessica McCormack engagement ring was MIA, she needed to reach the sparkle quota somehow.

Zendaya went on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' in a lacy, lingerie-inspired "something blue" dress

Don't miss Z's Rolex watch beneath her sheer lace sleeve.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Before her stop by The Tonight Show, Zendaya pulled on a fringe dress to discuss her press tour styling strategy on Good Morning America. "The last look is something blue," she confirmed. The actress also pointed out a reference fans might not have noticed from photos alone. As she's jetted from event to event, she's picked out increasingly dark pieces. "We’re leaning into the thematic changes to the movie," she explained. So, it starts quite light… but thematically, the looks are starting to get a bit darker, so following kind of the plot of the film."

Zendaya re-wore her custom Vivienne Westwood wedding dress from the 2015 Oscars to the first premiere of The Drama

Zendaya's press tour began with snowy white dresses, like this archival Vivienne Westwood piece.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Zendaya left Good Morning America in a tweed jacket and a matching feather skirt

By the end of her tour, Zendaya layered in more black and white pieces, like this Erdem dress, to reflect the film's tone.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Fans might have assumed she'd reserve her "something blue" for the final premiere of The Drama rather than a talk show. Zendaya wore her "old" Vivienne Westwood gown from the 2015 Oscars to the L.A. premiere; a "new" black-and-white dress from Louis Vuitton in Paris; and a "borrowed" Armani Privé gown from Cate Blanchett in Rome. There's still a chance she'll round out the ritual on a final red carpet, just maybe in a different shade of blue. My bet's on the celebrity-beloved cobalt trend.

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Meguire Hennes
Staff Writer, Fashion

Meguire Hennes is the fashion staff writer at Marie Claire, where she breaks down the celebrity looks living rent-free in her head (and yours). Whether a star is walking the red carpet or posing on Instagram, Meguire will tell you who they're wearing and why. When she's not gushing about A-listers from J.Law to Rihanna, Meguire also covers breaking industry news.

Previously, Meguire was the fashion news writer at The Zoe Report. She received a bachelor's degree in fashion studies at Montclair State University, and has freelanced at Bustle, Women's Health, Well+Good, and more. You can find her words across the fashion, beauty, health, and wellness verticals, because her Libra moon wouldn't let her settle on one beat. Follow her on Instagram for BTS moments from her Marie Claire era.