Olivia Rodrigo spent $25,600 (about £19,400) on the vintage dress Meg White wore on the cover of The White Stripes' Elephant album. The 'Drivers License' singer had the perfect occasion in mind to show off her expensive purchase. Unfortunately, the California weather had other plans, with Rodrigo admitting it was 'too fucking hot' to wear.
The Grammy-winning singer had hoped to debut the Gunne Sax gown at her inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival, held at Great Park in Irvine, California, on 29 August 2026. The event celebrated women in music, making a dress worn by one of rock's most influential female drummers an especially fitting choice. Although the outfit never made it onstage, Rodrigo has not given up on wearing it.
The Dress Behind the $25,600 Price Tag
Before Olivia Rodrigo got her hands on it, the white cotton eyelet dress had already earned its place in rock history. Meg wore the vintage piece on the cover of The White Stripes' 2003 album Elephant, which features the band's hit 'Seven Nation Army'. More than two decades later, the dress has found a new home with one of the duo's biggest fans.
The floor-length gown features a sweetheart neckline, an empire waist and billowing bishop sleeves that taper at the wrists. Delicate eyelet detailing, ruffles and a tiered skirt give it the romantic, vintage look associated with Gunne Sax. It is also a considerable amount of fabric to wear while performing outdoors in the middle of summer.
Julien's Auctions initially estimated the dress would fetch between $4,000 and $6,000 (about £3,000 to £4,500). Instead, it sold for more than four times the upper estimate, with a copy of Elephant on CD included in the lot. Rodrigo herself acknowledged the hefty price tag, describing it as an 'exorbitant amount of money'.
Interestingly, the dress did not originally belong to Meg. It came from the personal collection of musician Tracee Mae Miller, a friend and collaborator of Jack and Meg White, who lent it to the drummer for the album cover shoot. Miller's mother had previously altered the bodice to fit her daughter, and the dress happened to fit Meg as well.
At the time, Miller and Meg often styled themselves for photo shoots using clothes they already owned. The now-famous gown was another piece pulled from an existing wardrobe rather than something commissioned for the album. What started as a borrowed outfit eventually became a five-figure collector's item.
Olivia Rodrigo's Love for The White Stripes Goes Way Back
Rodrigo's decision to spend thousands on Meg White's dress makes more sense considering her admiration for The White Stripes. The singer behind Sour and Guts has cited the Detroit rock duo as an influence on her music. Her appreciation for the band also goes beyond collecting memorabilia.
In a full circle moment, Olivia Rodrigo helped induct one of her favorite bands, The White Stripes, into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
— Pigeons & Planes (@PigsAndPlans) November 10, 2025
Rodrigo is such a big fan of Jack and Meg White that she actually used to run a fan account for the band. She's been outspoken about her… pic.twitter.com/qsJgyGpywr
When The White Stripes were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025, Rodrigo joined Feist for an acoustic performance of 'We're Going to Be Friends'. Iggy Pop inducted the duo, while Jack White accepted the honour on their behalf. The tribute gave Rodrigo an opportunity to celebrate musicians whose work had helped shape her own.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame also names Rodrigo among the artists influenced by the duo, alongside Arctic Monkeys and St. Vincent. With Jack's guitar and vocals and Meg's distinctive drumming, The White Stripes became known for their stripped-back sound and unmistakable red, white and black aesthetic. Their influence continues to reach younger artists long after the band disbanded in 2011.
Why Meg White's Dress Never Made It to Daisy Chain Fields
Olivia Rodrigo makes her stance on Daisy Chain Fields clear:
— Olivia Rodrigo Charts (@chartlivie) October 7, 2026
“Everyone is welcome to come to Daisy Chain. But if you don’t agree with the message that we’re sending, then you don’t have to buy a ticket.” pic.twitter.com/bPaYONIUU6
Daisy Chain Fields brought together some of music's biggest female performers, taking inspiration from Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair. The lineup featured Chappell Roan, Doechii, Bikini Kill, Garbage, Mitski and The Breeders, alongside appearances by Stevie Nicks and Sarah McLachlan. For Rodrigo, it was an opportunity to share the stage with artists from different generations while supporting causes close to her heart.
The event also raised money for organisations supporting women and girls, including Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance and the National Women's Law Center. During the festival, philanthropist Melinda French Gates pledged to match the $10 million (about £7.6 million) already raised, bringing the announced total to $20 million (about £15.2 million). Beyond the performances, the festival supported initiatives addressing maternal health, reproductive rights and economic empowerment.
But while Rodrigo managed to bring her festival vision to life, her planned outfit was another story. Wearing a floor-length vintage gown in the California summer proved less practical than she had hoped, forcing her to reconsider its debut. Still, the singer has not ruled out giving the dress its moment in the spotlight. 'Maybe if I do Daisy Chain in the winter, I can wear it,' she said.
