Selena Gomez Revives the Peplum Trend at Cannes in a Little White Dress

She looks ready for a French Riviera weekend.

Selena Gomez walks in Cannes wearing a white knit peplum sweater dress by Self-Portrait and white sunglasses
(Image credit: Backgrid)

Selena Gomez touched down at the Cannes Film Festival in the perfect spring-to-summer LWD (little white dress). Her look isn't just the blueprint for a French Riviera vacation wardrobe; it's also a sign of the peplum trend's imminent return.

Erin Walsh styled the Rare Beauty founder with seaside-chic precision. Greeting fans at her hotel, Gomez wore a white knit dress by Self-Portrait that featured a ruffled peplum waist and flared sleeves. She embraced a monochromatic palette with all-white accessories, including white oval sunglasses, a white Aspinal London bag, and white Roger Vivier slingback heels.

Selena Gomez poses with a fan at the Cannes film festival in a white self portrait dress

Selena Gomez arrived at Cannes wearing a white Self-Portrait dress with a peplum waist.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gomez's outfit had touches of work (in the button-front dress silhouette and top-handle bag) and play (with the dress's flouncy skirt and her oversize metallic earrings). She also extended her all-white streak to her hair accessories, clipping her high bun back with a tiny white barrette.

About that peplum waist: Gomez is just the latest fashion insider to hint that the mid-aughts style is poised for a potential comeback. Runways including Brandon Maxwell, Proenza Schouler, and Tove showed peplum tops in their recent collections, ranging from black-and-white minimalist takes to frilly versions with lace and floral detailing. Emma Stone dressed to accept her second Best Actress Academy Award this spring in a peplum dress by Louis Vuitton.

Selena Gomez arrives in Cannes wearing a white peplum mini dress by Self Portrait

Gomez accessorized with all-white accessories, including Roger Vivier heels and an Aspinal London bag.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Bridal white has been a theme in Gomez's wardrobe for public appearances lately. Appearing at Rare Beauty's mental health summit in New York City on May 1, she wore an intentionally wrinkled gown by Maticevski with a cloud-like texture (and shade).

If Gomez ascends the Cannes Film Festival's steps later today, she'll rise to meet the occasion's over-the-top dress code. For now, her rich-yet-casual little white dress is the blueprint for sophisticated summer dressing.

Shop More Little White Dresses Inspired by Selena Gomez

Halie LeSavage
Senior News Editor (Fashion & Beauty)

Halie LeSavage is the senior fashion and beauty news editor at Marie Claire, where she assigns, edits, and writes stories for both sections. Halie is an expert on runway trends, celebrity style, emerging fashion and beauty brands, and shopping (naturally). In over seven years as a professional journalist, Halie’s reporting has ranged from fashion week coverage spanning the Copenhagen, New York, Milan, and Paris markets, to profiles on industry insiders including stylist Alison Bornstein and J.Crew womenswear creative director Olympia Gayot, to breaking news stories on noteworthy brand collaborations and beauty launches. (She can personally confirm that Bella Hadid’s Ôrebella perfume is worth the hype.) She has also written dozens of research-backed shopping guides to finding the best tote bags, ballet flats, and more. Most of all, Halie loves to explore what trends—like the rise of doll-like Mary Janes or TikTok’s 75 Hard Style Challenge—can say about culture writ large. (She justifies almost any purchase by saying it’s “for work.”) Halie has previously held writer and editor roles at Glamour, Morning Brew, and Harper’s Bazaar. Halie has been cited as a fashion and beauty expert in The Cut, CNN Underscored, and Reuters, among other outlets, and appears in newsletters like Selleb and Self-Checkout to provide shopping recommendations. In 2022, she was awarded the Hearst Spotlight Award for excellence and innovation in fashion journalism. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Harvard College. Outside of work, Halie is passionate about books, baking, and her miniature Bernedoodle, Dolly. For a behind-the-scenes look at her reporting, you can follow Halie on Instagram and TikTok.