Jennifer Lopez embraces armour-core with a chrome breastplate at the Elle Awards

In further proof that bullet-proof dressing is the red carpet's most durable fashion statement, Jenny from the Block has just hopped on the trend
Jennifer Lopez at the Elle Awards 2023
Getty Images for ELLE
Maddy Mussen6 December 2023

Jennifer Lopez has become the latest star to wear a breastplate, proving it's the red carpet trend that just does not want to die down.

The actress and singer was spotted wearing a blue chrome breastplate at the Elle Awards this Tuesday, where she also took to the stage to make a speech.

Lopez, aged 54, looked radiant (a fact helped by her reflective centre piece) as she spoke onstage, which was paired with a high-waisted black skirt with a thigh-high slit, dramatic diamond drop earrings and a Tyler Ellis black clutch.

Jennifer Lopez at the 2023 Elle Awards
Getty Images for ELLE

Both the breastplate and the skirt are the work of designer Grace Ling, taken from her debut New York Fashion Week collection shown this September. The collection was a lesson in armour dressing, or as the kids are calling it - armour-core - featuring multiple metallic works, from breastplates to Slinky tube tops. No, seriously, like, actual Slinkies.

With this look, Lopez joins a long line of breastplated women before her, reminding us of its red carpet prowess over the past five years.

It all began - as many big red carpet trends do - with Zendaya, back in 2020. The actress wowed paparazzos, the internet and fashion critics alike when she arrived at the Critics' Choice Awards red carpet in a pink Tom Ford two piece. Her hot pink breastplate is widely considered one of her best looks, alongside her other foray into bulletproof dressing, a Loewe sculpted bodice in 2021.

Zendaya at the Critics' Choice Awards
AFP via Getty Images

Speaking of Loewe sculpted bodices, who could forget one of the breastplate's most notable champions, Rihanna, who wore a red Loewe creation to perform at the Super Bowl earlier this year.

There's also Lupita Nyong'o, who's bespoke metallic moulding blew away guests at the 2023 Tony Awards this summer. And Sydney Sweeney, whose 2022 GQ Men of the Year Awards outfit confirmed that the look wasn't just for the small-boobed amongst us.

Sydney Sweeney
Dave Benett/Getty Images

So rest assured, J-Lo is in good company. Not only with her sartorial predecessors, but also her guest for the night, husband Ben Affleck. Affleck, who was wearing a black velvet tux, merrily posed with Lopez on the red carpet, holding her waist and whispering in her ear, while J-Lo laughed and embraced her husband.

Getty Images for ELLE

The pair have been together since 2021, rekindling their early 2000's romance and reclaiming the moniker of Bennifer. The couple regularly attend red carpet events arm in arm and even share matching tattoos.

We wish Affleck would wear a matching breastplate, but he's probably put his Batman days behind him.

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