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Gillian Anderson's outfit mishap that defined a fashion trend

01:54

How protecting her modesty led Gillian Anderson to define a fashion trend

Gillian Anderson faced a dilemma on the night of the 2001 Vanity Fair ‘s Oscar After Party.

Originally planning to go commando for the low back number, Anderson noticed that doing so would reveal a little too much of herself to the public. So she opted for a little black thong.

A paparazzi photo of the thong peeking out caught the world’s gaze and a pragmatic, last-minute decision was being hailed as punk, kickstarting the Noughties look of showing off your underwear, championed by the likes of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Paris Hilton.

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