Lindsey Vonn stole the spotlight at the 2025 ESPY Awards on Wednesday night—not just for her incredible comeback story, but also for a wardrobe moment that had the internet buzzing.
The legendary skier, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female athletes of all time, became a trending topic after a red carpet appearance that nearly turned into a fashion faux pas. Vonn, 40, walked the red carpet in a daring eggplant-colored gown from the Elisabetta Franchi Fall/Winter 2025 collection. The strapless dress featured an eye-catching design with a hip-high slit, revealing her famously toned legs and—at one point—more than she may have intended. Cameras captured a brief glimpse of her black G-string as she posed for photos, sparking a wave of reactions online.
Social media lit up with commentary almost instantly. Fans, media outlets, and fashion watchers all seemed to have the same reaction: admiration for Vonn’s confidence, mixed with a bit of shock over the boldness of the look and the near-wardrobe malfunction. Despite the slip, many praised her for handling the moment with grace and composure.
Vonn’s red carpet moment wasn’t the only reason she made headlines at the 2025 ESPYs. She was nominated for the Best Comeback Award, an honor recognizing athletes who have returned to competition after significant setbacks. In Vonn’s case, her comeback story is nothing short of remarkable.
After officially retiring from professional skiing in 2019, Vonn underwent a partial knee replacement in 2024. For most athletes, such a procedure would signal the definitive end of competitive pursuits, but not for Vonn. Defying expectations, she made her return to professional skiing in November 2024 and spent the season training and competing at the highest level once again.
Her hard work paid off in March 2025 at the World Cup Finals, where she stunned the sports world by finishing second in the super-G event. At 40 years old, Vonn became the oldest female Alpine skier in history to stand on the podium at a World Cup race—a feat that cemented her comeback status and earned her the ESPY nomination.
While the ESPYs are known for celebrating athletic excellence, the event often doubles as a showcase for bold fashion choices, and Vonn’s dress certainly fit the bill. Some fans were quick to comment that the skier’s red carpet appearance embodied her fearless personality—whether it’s racing down an icy mountain at 80 miles per hour or wearing a high-slit designer gown in front of flashing cameras, Vonn does it all with courage and flair.
In the end, the wardrobe moment became just a minor footnote in an otherwise triumphant night. Between her comeback story and her viral red carpet appearance, Lindsey Vonn once again proved she knows how to dominate both in competition and in the spotlight.