Olivia Rodrigo may have revived one of last year’s biggest color trends, but not everyone was a fan of her latest fashion experiment.
While promoting her third album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, in London last week, the singer stepped out in a bold outfit that combined multiple trends at once. Rodrigo wore a vintage black-and-white polka-dot mini dress paired with a bright “brat green” cropped knit vest—a color made famous during last summer’s viral brat aesthetic.
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Olivia Rodrigo Pairs Two Unexpected Trends: Polka Dots & Brat Green
The dress, originally designed by Rudi Gernreich in 1971, featured short sleeves and an allover white polka-dot print. Instead of letting the vintage piece stand on its own, Rodrigo layered a vivid green cropped sweater vest over it, creating a striking color-blocked look.
She completed the ensemble with white over-the-knee socks, black block-heel pumps, a sleek black leather Coach bag, and oversized sunglasses. Her hair was styled in a side part secured with a clip, while a bold red lip added another pop of color to the outfit.
The look quickly sparked debate online, with many fans divided over whether the unusual combination worked.
“This generation has absolutely no style,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “If she'd just take off the green vest, this look would be so much better.”
Others were equally confused by the styling choices. “Now I'm not sure about the outfit... maybe I'm just not clocking the vision,” one person admitted.
Another wrote, “I am glad that I am not the only one saying the outfit is bad. Black polka dots, green knit vest, and white socks?!” One commenter joked, “Get rid of the random green and this is a serve.”
Still, plenty of fans came to Rodrigo's defense, arguing that the singer was simply ahead of the trend cycle.
“Y'all are hating on her outfit meanwhile it'll probably be on trend in a few months,” one supporter wrote. “She looks very cute.”
Another added, “A lot of you don't know fashion, and that's okay.” A third fan simply summed it up by saying, “I don't care what y'all say—I love the outfit. She's not basic at all.”
Olivia Rodrigo Addresses Backlash Over Babydoll Dresses
The "good 4 u" hitmaker's fashion choices have sparked controversy before, and the singer has previously spoken out about the criticism she receives over her style.
One of the biggest debates surrounding her wardrobe centered on the vintage-inspired babydoll dresses she frequently wore in music videos, photo shoots, and live performances.
While many fans embraced the feminine, retro aesthetic, some critics argued that the look blurred the line between youthful and childlike fashion, sparking a wave of online discourse.
The backlash frustrated Rodrigo, who addressed the criticism during an appearance on Popcast, a podcast from The New York Times. “That’s been making me so upset,” she said.
The singer pointed out what she viewed as an inconsistency in how her outfits were being judged. “I've worn revealing outfits on stage before," Rodrigo explained. “I've performed in a sparkly bra and tiny shorts, and that's my right. I felt cool and comfortable in that. People didn't call that inappropriate. But when I'm fully covered up in a dress that some people consider childlike, suddenly that's what becomes inappropriate.”
Many online critics argued that the babydoll aesthetic leaned too heavily into youthful styling, with some comparing it to doll-inspired fashion trends and claiming it made the 23-year-old appear younger than she was.
Others, however, defended the songwriter, arguing that vintage-inspired silhouettes and feminine details have long been staples of fashion and shouldn't automatically be viewed as controversial.
