Kaia Gerber's Skintight LBD for the Academy Museum Gala After-Party Is the Epitome of "Less Is More" Dressing
She's practiced in the art of subtle sophistication.


One of the oldest tricks in the fashion book (often attributed to Coco Chanel) recommends wearers take off one accessory before leaving the house. Over the years, it's become the mantra of minimalist fashion, reminding fashion girlies worldwide that it's better to understate than to overdo it. Kaia Gerber always dresses along these lines—however, she took this rule to the extreme when putting together her latest look.
On Oct. 20, Gerber was photographed while leaving the Chateau Marmont Hotel after attending an after-party for the star-studded Academy Museum Gala. She changed out of her Audrey Hepburn-inspired vintage Givenchy couture into a sleek little black dress—the minimalist's secret weapon—which featured a skintight fit, delicate spaghetti straps, and a posh square neckline. (Literally, Posh Spice loves this cut.) The no-fuss design was as simple as simple can be.
Staying true to the fashion statute, Gerber accessorized sparsely, but elegantly. She chose dazzling gemstones and luxurious fabrics to make her simple add-ons feel interesting. For jewelry, the second-generation model wore only a few diamond pieces, including emerald-cut drop earrings and a choker-style tennis necklace.
Kaia Gerber wears a simple little black dress and strappy sandals.
Her footwear was likewise nondescript—a pair of strappy black naked sandals—and her handbag was more of that same energy. Gerber carried a satin Judith Leiber clutch with no noteworthy details, save for the glistening circular jewels on the strap. (Leiber is famed for her extravagant, crystal-encrusted creations, so this design feels shocking in its simplicity.)
Though few could pull off this kind of subtle stylishness, it's one of Gerber's particular fashion skillsets. She regularly reaches for simple LBDs—often with low-key '90s flare to channel her mother Cindy Crawford. The look was one of the OG supermodel's signatures back in the day, one she still utilizes on select occasions.
Like mother, like daughter.
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Kelsey (she/her) is a freelance fashion editor and writer, specializing in e-commerce and fashion news. With more than ten years of experience in digital media, Kelsey has a knack for turning top-performing content into top-selling content. At Marie Claire, she provides witty celeb style commentary, unpacking the style choices of stars like Zoë Kravitz, Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez, and her fashion superhero, Rihanna. When she’s not tracking the personal style of Hollywood’s elite, Kelsey also covers designer collabs and industry news.
Before taking her talents to Marie Claire, Kelsey was the Senior Fashion Editor at Bustle, where she oversaw the site’s fashion coverage and launched a successful luxury handbag series called Secure The Bag. Prior to Bustle, she came from a six-year stint at Seventeen, during which she managed the team’s fashion and beauty verticals and led e-commerce strategy. In her freelance era, Kelsey contributes to publications like InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and more. She also offers consulting services and content creation, in addition to writing and editing. Follow @klstieg on Instagram for 'fit pics and travel recommendations.
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