2 min read
The 2026 American Music Awards were like an all-out nostalgia fest, with surprises appearances from everyone from the Black Eyes Peas and New Kids on the Block to a performance from the newly-reunited Pussycat Dolls. Of course, with so many early-aughts icons in attendance, it makes sense that Hilary Duff was present, and she went for a very Y2K-coded look in a custom chainmail dress from Rabanne.
Back in the 2000s, the chainmail dress was the uniform for everybody from Paris Hilton to Kate Moss, and in the years since, the metallic conversation-starter clearly hasn’t lost it luster. (In the past year alone, red-carpet moments from stars like Sydney Sweeney and Teyana Taylor have ushered this style right back into the spotlight.)
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Hilary Duff attends the 2026 American Music Awards.
Last night, Duff was the latest to champion the return of the chainmail, in a shimmering, strappy maxi version. The design featured thick ribbed shoulder straps that outlined the plunging neckline, while a high empire waist gave the dress somewhat of a vintage feel.
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Duff wore a custom chainmail dress from Rabanne.
The Lizzie McGuire alum paired the piece with a set of matching silver stiletto sandals from Giuseppe Zanotti, and she kept things minimalist with her jewelry, wearing only a pair of tiered diamond-drop earrings and diamond rings. Her hair, meanwhile, was parted down the middle in subtly wavy strands.
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Duff presented the award for New Artist of the Year.
In February, Duff made her long-awaited return to music with the release of her sixth studio album Luck… or Something, which marked her first new album in over a decade.
At the 2026 AMAs, she presented the award for New Artist of the Year, which ultimately went to Katseye. The global girl group beat out fellow nominees Alex Warren, Ella Langley, Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, and Sombr.