Lindsey Vonn’s Fearless Slit Steals ESPY Awards Carpet

The choice, a strapless, deep eggplant-hued silk, draped her athletic frame with an elegant fluidity, its rich sheen catching the light as she moved. But it was the design’s audacious hip-bone grazing slit that truly defined the look, offering a flash of her toned leg—and, with an almost playful wink, her black g-string thong. It was a calculated risk, executed with the kind of self-assuredness one expects from a world-class athlete. The movement of the fabric, seemingly light as air, created a dynamic silhouette that underscored the power and grace inherent in her presence.

Vonn’s accessories were curated to complement, not compete: statement drop earrings added a touch of sparkle, while a sleek black clutch and classic black platform heels maintained the streamlined, powerful narrative. Her beauty look—a side-parted wet-wave hairstyle that evoked a sensual, just-emerged-from-water vibe, paired with a smoldering smokey eye—only amplified the dress’s uninhibited spirit. This was not merely an outfit; it was a testament to Vonn’s fearless embrace of her own strength and femininity, a literal and figurative comeback moment.

Indeed, her red carpet triumph echoed her recent return to competitive skiing, a testament to her enduring prowess at 40 years old. Nominated in the Best Comeback Athlete category, Vonn’s second-place finish in the Super-G race at the Ski World Cup finals in Idaho on March 23 marked her as the oldest woman to ever place at the event. With eyes set on the 2025 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, her ESPY appearance felt less like a mere fashion statement and more like a victory lap.