Throughout the Radical Optimism promo run—from the psychedelic “Houdini” music video to her cover shoots and live performances—Dua has relied on a specific architectural staple: the exposed zipper. Unlike the soft, slinky silhouettes of her previous era, these tops are sharp, functional, and deliberately aggressive.
Think high-neck racing jackets unzipped to the sternum, corset tops with industrial-grade zippers running down the spine, or simple tank tops where the zipper becomes the primary accessory, replacing buttons or clasps entirely.
The aesthetic is utility meets hedonism. It says: I am in control. I can unzip this party—or zip it back up—whenever I choose.
If your search history is full of “Dua Lipa radical optimism zip top,” here is how to channel the vibe:
The radical part of the look is imperfect closure. Do not zip the top all the way up. Dua is often photographed with the center zipper pulled down to the sternum or the side zipper left open to reveal a sports bra or bare skin. The tension between the restrictive high neck and the open chest is the entire point.