L'HISTOIRE: Brooke Shields' Backless Gown at the People's Choice Awards in 1999

L'HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today’s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.

Red carpets in the 1990s felt like the Wild West compared to the carefully orchestrated thing they are now. When actors and models dressed themselves (as opposed to dedicated stylists), wild cards on the red carpet were more common. For Brooke Shields, the era lent itself to a sense of sartorial freedom. Before she freed her nipple in a sheer dress at her 2005 "Back on the Boards" Party, the actor rocked a low-back dress to the People's Choice Awards in 1999.

Shields, who was starring in the TV show Suddenly Susan at the time, arrived on the red carpet wearing a mock-neck gown with a backless cut. The silky, black fabric sat on the small of her back, and sparkly embellishments connected to the dress adorned her bare skin. (Rather than a back necklace, the frock came with glinting chain jewelry attached.) The ensemble, with its gown by an yet-to-be confirmed designer, was quintessentially '90s, especially as she her hair in loosely tossed curls and applied only light makeup. It's nothing new: many times, less is really more.

Anything revealing skin, especially the back, will be considered a bit risqué by some, but Shields' gown towed the line between that and something more elegant. That's why the look in general is rather timeless, seen on pop stars today like Margaret Qualley and Sabrina Carpenter's own red carpet looks.

A low-back dress or backless top always looks effortlessly cool, whether worn with heels or jeans, respectively. But the ultimate way to take this look to the next level is by adding a back necklace, which can be as simple as reversing a long chain pendant necklace that usually sits on the chest. Try a piece by Reformation or a Meshki dress with one of our luxury jewelry picks, and you'll be good to go.