Two decades after the release of her boundary-pushing hit, “Dirrty,” pop icon Christina Aguilera, 44, has delighted fans by resurrecting the song’s infamous look. Taking the stage at San Francisco’s Portola Festival, the singer performed the fan-favorite track while clad in a dazzling, updated version of her signature Y2K chaps and bodysuit ensemble. The revival is more than just a nod to nostalgia; it celebrates the era of “Stripped,” a pivotal moment in Aguilera’s career when she famously shed her previous image to embrace raw, unfiltered self-expression. By slipping back into the bedazzled outfit, Aguilera reminds the world of her power as a pop innovator and a style legend whose influence continues to shape celebrity fashion.
The Return of the “Dirrty” Aesthetic
Christina Aguilera made headlines by faithfully—and stylishly—recreating her iconic outfit from the 2002 “Dirrty” music video. Performing the hit from her seminal album Stripped at the Portola Festival in San Francisco, Aguilera sported an elevated version of the original look. The ensemble featured a bedazzled black bodysuit paired with striking silver chaps and fishnet tights, accessorized with silver jewelry and long, straight blonde hair.
This visual re-entry into her “Dirrty” era taps directly into the ongoing nostalgia for Y2K fashion. The original aesthetic—defined by chaps, low-waisted pants, and body chains—was her signature look during that time, shocking audiences and cementing her status as a pop culture disruptor. The festival performance served as a powerful reminder of the song’s cultural impact, proving that the daring style remains relevant and electrifying over twenty years later.
The Vision of the Stripped Era
The audacious fashion of the “Dirrty” period was born from Christina Aguilera’s desire to break free from her polished pop princess image. She worked closely with costume designer Trish Summerville, who is credited with creating the controversial leather chaps and many of the singer’s most talked-about early aughts red-carpet looks.
In 2022, Aguilera reflected on this transformative time, telling Vogue that her era with Summerville was one of her favorites, representing her journey of self-discovery: “I was starting to be out of my shell a little bit… That was me coming into expressing who I was.” The clothing was a deliberate statement of rebellion and autonomy, pushing boundaries for female artists and setting a new standard for pop star self-expression. Though it remains unclear if Summerville designed the current revival outfit, the spirit of their original collaboration was undeniably present.
The Legacy of an Icon
The enduring influence of Aguilera’s early 2000s style can be seen in the tributes paid by modern-day trendsetters. The “Dirrty” aesthetic has proven to be so iconic that other celebrities have channeled the look in recent years, signaling its status as a foundational moment in Y2K fashion.
For instance, Kylie Jenner famously dressed up as Aguilera from the “Dirrty” music video for Halloween in 2016. Jenner further paid homage by recreating Aguilera’s barely-there scarf top look from the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards in 2021. The original outfit, which caused a sensation when Aguilera wore it to present “Best Male Video,” was a testament to her fearless approach to style. Jenner’s 2021 reproduction, a tiny top from a Jean Paul Gaultier vintage gown, demonstrates that Aguilera’s risk-taking vision continues to inspire and provoke headlines.
Aguilera’s Vintage Resurrections
The revival of the “Dirrty” chaps is part of a larger trend of Aguilera embracing her own fashion history. Just months before the festival performance, the “Candy Man” songstress resurrected another signature look: an iconic green lace-up corset dress she had modeled for a Versace ad campaign 22 years ago.
She wore the vintage number, which features a handkerchief hem, to attend “Burlesque: The Musical” in July—a stage adaptation of her 2010 film. Aguilera was a prominent muse for the Italian fashion house in 2003, and her decision to wear the dress again is a potent reminder of her lasting relationship with high fashion and her dedication to honoring her own influential style moments.
