ZENDAYA MAY BE the youngest-ever recipient of two Emmys, but that doesn’t mean she’s immune to falling foul of a dress code. According to reports earlier this month, the actor was denied entry to a restaurant in Rome, Terrazza Borromini, because of her outfit. Zendaya’s team issued a flat denial, but to us it seemed far-fetched from the start. Not only is she one of the most famous people on the planet, but the outfit in question was so perfectly pitched that it would be no less than criminal to show its wearer the door. 

The ‘offending’ article was something you might remember wearing (or squeezing into) in the early ’00s. Carrie Bradshaw was an early stan, as were Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. We’re talking about the boob tube. Its biggest pro is its brevity – especially on holiday or during a heatwave – but that’s also its biggest con. Is it possible to make a stretchy piece of fabric that is otherwise known as the ‘tube top’ look chic?

According to Zendaya, absolutely. She paired hers with the easy-breezy combination of oversized slacks and penny loafers. Hailey Bieber thought it was so good that she wore an almost identical look a few days later. You don’t, however, have to show a stretch of skin between your belly button and your waistband if the low-rise trend feels about as relevant to your life as pedal pushers and butterfly tops.

Laura Harrier gave us a lesson in how to wear the boob tube in 2023 instead of 2003 during the Cannes Film Festival. She packed a very similar style to Zendaya’s – Next has an excellent version with ruched sides, as do Arket, New Look and Samsøe Samsøe – but styled hers with a flared gingham skirt and pointed ballet flats. You could also play with proportions slightly by trying a narrower bandeau with a high-waisted skirt, à la Lizzo, who wore a zingy boob tube with a matching mini from Pucci. Stylist Monikh Dale tends to pair hers with wide-leg linen trousers – and she’s also found the most grown-up take on the trend from Raey. Made of crepe and cut to flow instead of clinging to your form, it couldn’t be a better partner for cargo pants and leather flip-flops while the temperature is tantalisingly hot. 

If you’re sold and about to take yours for a spin, don’t forget sun lotion with a high SPF. Burnt shoulders are not so sexy in the city. And if you get turned away from a restaurant? Well then, you’re (possibly) in excellent company.