A few seasons ago I spoke to designer Lucila Safdie, who told me about a David Lynch quote that was haunting her both personally and professionally: “Everything is Marilyn.” Putting the finishing touches to her spring/summer 2026 collection with images of Monroe plastered all over her studio, seeping into her visions of doomed femininity, she concluded: “Yeah… it kind of is.” I think about Madonna in much the same way. If you think about it… everything is Madonna. Be it an underwear-as-outwear homage to her legendary Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra, a pair of lurex disco hotpants, or a subversive slogan tee, all style roads ultimately lead back to Madge.
As the girls and gays anticipate the release of Confessions II, there’s never been a better time to take your cues from the original queen of reinvention. For example, when I drag myself to the gym in the morning, bleary-eyed in a combo of pyjama pants and a pair of battered Adidas Superstars from 2016, I am not simply a girl who couldn’t be bothered to dig out the Lululemon. I am, in fact, paying homage to Madonna’s chaotic early Noughties street style: capris and Ed Hardy tanks, Louis Vuitton holdalls and Adidas tracksuits, Britcore flat caps and bug-eye sunglasses.
In the wake of Liana Satenstein declaring the death of “Lara Croft lycra”, and now that hot girls are increasingly adopting Adam Sandler’s approach to getting dressed, I’d argue that this specific era of Madonna’s off-duty street style feels more relevant than ever. So embrace the chaos, and channel the spirit of Madonna with your corner shop fit.
