I Tried On *the* Paco Rabanne Chainmail Dress

In 2002, Paris Hilton celebrated her ability to drink legally with six different parties. In 2023, I frantically tried on a version of the very internet famous dress she wore to her London party in the exact same city while perusing for bridal ensembles.

This version, which can be found at Portobello Road’s Lovers Lane Vintage, was made by the late Paco Rabanne (R.I.P.). The silver chainmail material felt like petting a snake—I loved the feeling of the cool dress sliding across my skin.

“I think every girl should wear that dress on their 21st birthday, it's so epic.”

Paris Hilton to V Magazine in 2018

For my 21st birthday, my wonderful father rented out a former brothel-turned-restaurant in my college city and threw a huge party for all of my friends. (Afterwards, he told there would never be an open bar event for my friends ever again.) I don’t remember toiling over my outfit—I wore an incredible Betsey Johnson dress that looked like toile until you got closer and, wait, is that skulls?One of the many things I regret donating.

Regret no more, it can be found on resale sites! Though it’s technically only toward being vintage. The exact dress is here (size small) and here (size medium), same print different style here (size large), here (size small), and here (size medium).