Thandie Newton stepped out in Los Angeles on December 13, 2025, for the premiere of Anaconda, arriving at the United Theatre in a look that quickly drew attention online. While the actress is no stranger to bold red-carpet fashion, this appearance sparked conversation for a very specific reason: the placement of the belt on her gown.
Thandie Newton’s dress and its belt became the focus of online discussion
Newton wore a look from Wiederhoeft’s Spring 2026 collection, featuring a gold corset-style top with slim straps, a softly draped neckline, and exposed vertical boning that structured the bodice. The coordinating metallic woven skirt fits close through the hips, creating a sculpted, architectural silhouette. A narrow belt sat high on the waist, visually dividing the top and skirt, a detail that soon became the focal point of online discussion.
As images circulated, Reddit’s (r/whatthefrockk) community dissected the look with their usual mix of humour and critique. One fan summed up the immediate reaction bluntly, writing, “That might be the world’s most poorly placed belt and I say this as someone who lived through the 00’s.” Others focused less on the belt itself and more on how it affected the overall balance of the outfit.
One user noted, “No to the weird unnecessary hip-belt thingy. And I’m not sure about the skirt buttons. But the top & the colour are beautiful on her,” suggesting that while individual elements worked, the styling felt overly busy. A third reaction echoed that sentiment, describing the look as visually overloaded, “It is trying to make so many things happen at once, and none work.”
The response highlighted how the look, though bold and intentional, wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some felt the dress asked the eye to move in too many directions at once, making the belt placement feel especially jarring. Others appreciated the ambition of the design but questioned whether a simpler execution might have allowed the craftsmanship to shine more clearly.
