First it was the ultra waist-cinching corset dresses that took over red carpets - and now A-listers have a new accessory to accentuate their sculpted silhouettes with.

The metal breastplate has been seen popping up around red carpets since 2023 - but is officially en vogue. 

Initially the look was experimental and avant-garde, but has now taken hold as a celeb-favorite, with everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow, 53, to Shakira, 49, sporting the armour-esque ensemble.

Comprised of a molded sheet of metal, differing in lengths and builds, most are united by a design that accentuates the bust and abdomen.

And despite a seemingly 'trendy' and Gen Z aesthetic, it is being embraced across women of all ages. 

Fifty-six-year-old Jennifer Lopez flaunted her toned physique in a a silver breastplate at ELLE's Women in Hollywood Celebration in 2023, while Kim Kardashian, 45, sported an orange fiberglass breastplate for the Met Gala this year.

At the helm of the look is Hollywood style trendsetter Zendaya, 29, who turned heads in a dramatic sculpted corset during last night's premiere of The Odyssey - where she plays Athena.

Her Schiaparelli dress featured a breastplate bodice, while a matching choker completed the look. The couture gown from Daniel Roseberry's fall/winter 2026 show had debuted just hours before the premiere at Paris Couture Week. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, fashion designer Amanda Wakeley - who dressed Princess Diana in the 90s - said because the look is more 'statement' than wardrobe, it is ultimately ageless.

'Women of completely different ages are embracing it,' she explained.

'Zendaya wears it with fearless modernity, Jennifer Lopez brings her trademark glamour, and Gwyneth Paltrow proves that confidence, not age, is what makes a statement like this work.

'They're not trying to look the same; they're each using it to amplify their own identity.

'Fashion has always loved a touch of armour. Right now, the metal breastplate feels less like costume and more like a modern expression of confidence.

'In uncertain times, we often gravitate towards clothes that make us feel strong, and nothing says strength quite like a sculpted metallic silhouette.'

Amanda, whose new book Style DNA: How to Dress with Confidence, which came out June 25, added that 'this trend works because the women wearing it aren't disappearing behind the outfit; they're using it to promote a story about who they are and why they are there'.

'Someone who is stylish may or may not follow fashion trends, and always stays true to their own aesthetic,' she shared. 'Personal style is about developing a sense of self, rather than simply absorbing trends.'

And while it may seem more red carpet than the average mortal's regular fare, the designer said women of all ages and lifestyles can incorporate a theatrical, metallic element into their daily looks.

'There is no age limit on fashion,' she said. 'The beauty of a runway idea is that you can borrow its essence rather than recreate it.

'A sculptural gold necklace, a beautifully cut metallic belt, strong shoulders, a sharply tailored jacket or even jewellery with an architectural feel all capture the same confidence without looking like you're heading to a film premiere.

'Style should always feel authentic. If you're spending more time worrying about whether you're pulling something off than enjoying wearing it, it's probably not your Style DNA.'

And while the snatched, toned silhouette of the breastplate may raise concerns about new body image ideals being pushed out, Amanda thinks it's more artful in nature.

'I don't think the breastplate itself is creating a new beauty standard, but it does reflect fashion's ongoing fascination with the female silhouette,' she said.

'Designers have always exaggerated the body in different ways, whether it was the corset, the power shoulders of the 1980s or today's sculptural pieces.

'The difference now is that we're seeing a much broader range of women embracing these ideas.

'The conversation has shifted from dressing to fit an ideal to dressing as a form of self-expression. That's a far healthier place for fashion to be. It’s also about having a bit of fun with your looks and clothes, fashion shouldn’t be something to fear.

'Ultimately, trends come and go, but confidence never dates. The best dressed woman in any room is the one wearing the clothes, not the other way round.'