The Story Behind Angelina Jolie's Oscar Leg Moment is Disappointingly Simple
It was one of those defining moments in the world of fashion. A bit like Kim Kardashian showing up at the Met Gala wearing Marilyn Monroe's dress – just without all the controversy.
When Angelina Jolie stepped out onto the red carpet in 2012, in the now-famous black velvet Versace dress with dramatic thigh-high split, she couldn't have imagined she was about to create one of the most famous pop culture moments of recent years. A moment that is still spoken about more than a decade later.
Not only was #Angiesleg soon trending on Twitter, but it was also the subject of countless 'legbombing' memes. And millions of people shared images of themselves adopting the same stance and showing off their own legs.
But it wasn't just an internet sensation. The dress caught the attention of the fashion industry and was described as "super sexy" by Vogue magazine who also wrote that the dress "made fashion history".
And the dress was also said to have influenced autumn's trends for party dresses and ball gowns. So, you might think it was all a well-orchestrated statement from an iconic actor and global fashion house to steal the show at the Academy Awards.
But you'd be wrong.
Because there's a much simpler explanation. Jolie attended the ceremony with her then-fiancée Brad Pitt, who had been nominated for Best Actor for his role in Moneyball. She was basically a plus one. Yes, a glamorous plus one that fans and photographers were bound to notice – but certainly not the intended star of the show.
And the disappointingly simple explanation for creating that iconic moment is comfort. That's right. She had a "more complicated dress" but chose instead to wear the "more comfortable" one.
"When you feel comfortable," she later said, "you feel yourself" and that "sometimes maybe it appears to be a thing".
Well, it was certainly a thing. In fact, it was more than a thing. It was a moment in time. What started as a woman stepping out onto the red carpet alongside her partner became something far bigger than she could ever have imagined – even if she really had concocted a plan.
But it was pure serendipity. Which is always nice, as there is something charming about a phenomenon that takes off of its own accord and isn't fanned by some marketing mastermind. But there is a possible downside to the story too. If Angelina Jolie can choose comfort over style and grab all the headlines at a prestigious awards event, how long before fashion receives a mortal blow and we see crocs on the red carpet?