Even the ancient Romans liked their...

Britney Spears is and will always be “Mrs Extra! Extra!” The 41-year-old pop star first scored her status as a lauded artist with hits like “Toxic” and “I’m a Slave 4 U” - each song inciting self-confidence and a cult-like following reciting her lyrics as mantras. While her vocals left a heart-shaped imprint in the minds of many, the same can be said for Spears’ one-of-a-kind, provocative style. From glitzy jewels and furry overcoats to cropped graphic tees and ultra low-rise denim, the teen pop heroine has never missed a beat when it comes to her fashion. There isn’t much Spears can’t pull off – and not a lot she’s been afraid to try either. Between newsboy caps, fedoras, and even small animals, if her base garments didn’t scream Y2K in the late 90’s or early 2000’s, than her accessories sure did. It didn’t even matter whether she had her famed NSYNC ex-boyfriend by her side, the “Gimme More” artist still wowed every red carpet, front row, and sidewalk. Spears, the queen of the 2000’s, knows how to experiment with style like no other. With Halloween right around the corner and the Grammy winner’s memoir, The Woman in Me, being released on 24 October, let’s take a look at the artist’s best of the best fashion, from her renowned music video get-ups to her night out attire. Pink tube top and knee pads It would be wrong not to start with one of Spears’ on-stage looks that won her the “Princess of Pop” title. Among the number of outfits to choose from is a statement look that’s burned deep in the memory of many: her 1999 pink latex tube top and matching knee pads, worn while performing at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California. With her blond tresses pulled back in two tight pigtails, her baggy white pants with their massive hot pink patches, and platform white sneakers, Spears spun “skater” style and made it girl-coded. Denim, denim, and more denim Depending on who you ask, some will say the “Canadian Tuxedo” movement in fashion was led by Spears. You could always count on the powerhouse singer to splice denim or layer it, transforming the fabric’s inherent casualness into glamour. For the 28th annual American Music Awards in 2001, Spears donned a strapless gown made entirely of jean material. Not only did she pair it with a dazzling drop-down choker, but she matched with her former partner, Justin Timberlake, on the red carpet - who wore the most literal form of a Canadian tuxedo. Thus, the two crafted one of, if not the top sought-after photograph used to piece together the perfect couple’s costume for Halloween. Spears’ love for a good denim ensemble didn’t stop there. In 2001, just a couple months after she and Timberlake were applauded for their teamed-textile moment, the “Baby One More Time” creator wore a patchwork jean two-piece to the Teen Choice Awards. She paired a low-cut scoop bralette with a high-waisted layered band jean skirt, adorned with a white button-up that was unbuttoned and tucked in halfway. Elegant white gown and shawl Any talented artist can change their vocal range from a delicate ballad to a rock anthem, but not all can switch their personal style just as easily. Spears always could. If she wanted to bare her midriff and wear knee-high boots, she did. If she wanted to present a proper persona in a long, lush gown, she did. For the 42nd annual Grammy Awards, fans saw a side of Spears that remained hidden up until then. In a mod white halter-neck dress, a dainty crystal necklace, and a fur-shawl, Spears switched from being a grungy girl to an angelic goddess. Orange and pink bohemian get-up The jazzy dresser was back for the 2000 Billboard Music Awards, where Spears once again proved capable to make any style her own. In a long sleeve, low-cut flimsy orange and pink tie-dye dress, with a matching print velvet bra and mini shorts over sheer pink tights, the fashionista flashed boho-chic for the cameras. Spears paired the outfit with a multi-layered colourful choker, a feathered fedora, and pointed-toe red boots. Fur coat and wide-leg denim To watch a star with your name get inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a coveted occasion that many celebrities and entertainers never forget. When Spears received hers, the pop sensation was only 21 years old. In classic Spears fashion, she honoured the moment by dressing like her most authentic self. Spears wore wide-leg denim cargo pants, a pink fur coat, and a ruched embroidered top with strappy silver sandals. Juicy Couture Tracksuit Spears’ street style was no less emblematic of her creativity than her red carpet looks. Aside from her passion for oversised sweaters and lace-up boots, she struck many with her famed velour tracksuit. Plus, a queen of the 2000’s couldn’t be named queen if she didn’t wear at least one Juicy Couture ensemble. In this case, Spears paired a baby blue tracksuit with a bowling ball bag, white trainers, and tinted wraparound sunglasses. Music video Britney and 2001 MTV VMAs Lasly, Spears’ outfits for her “Baby One More Time” and “I’m a Slave 4 U” music videos were revolutionary. With her braided pig-tailed hair, pom-pom accessories, gray sweater, white blouse, mini pleated skirt, knee-high socks, and peak-a-boo red bra, Spears reimagined the “sexy schoolgirl” worn by many on Halloween today. But Spears confirmed she was more than just a schoolgirl when she performed “I’m a Slave 4 U” at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, when she wore a green wrap bra top, mini bedazzled booty shorts, pasted colourful gems all over her body. Not to mention, she donned a thick snake around her shoulders as if it were a scarf. Read More A timeline of Britney Spears and Sam Asghari’s relationship, from dating to divorce Britney Spears will not read her own audiobook after ‘heart-wrenching’ time ‘reliving’ experiences What is Britney Spears’ net worth? Everything we know about her conservatorship, real estate, and divorces Britney Spears announces engagement to Sam Asghari Britney Spears’ fiance responds to fans calling for star to get prenup Britney Spears reassures fans after deactivating Instagram account

Facebook Marketplace is the most complained-about online retail platform for selling counterfeit, poor-quality and potentially unsafe goods, Trading Standards has reported. The online giant, which enables third-party sellers to trade goods on the platform via the marketplace, was criticised for being slow to take action against problem sellers and for enabling misleading product descriptions, counterfeit goods and potentially harmful products to reappear on its platform after being taken down. A national survey by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) found the online giant causes its officers the most concern, as well as being unresponsive or unco-operative when contacted about problem sellers. More than half (53 per cent) of respondents representing about 50 local authorities across the UK identified Facebook as the most complained-about online marketplace – more than all of the others combined. If it wants to be seen as a proper online retailer where people can buy safe and legitimate goods, it needs to start acting like one CTSI chief executive John Herriman The CTSI’s survey, the first of its kind, also found that Trading Standards teams were unable to properly address problems with online marketplaces because of a “triple whammy” of recurring issues – unco-perative businesses, unsuitable legislation and limited resources. Just 10 per cent of Trading Standards officers said they had been able to take action against online marketplaces as a result of these three obstacles. The CTSI’s survey found that 45 per cent of officers cited a lack of co-operation from online marketplaces as a recurring problem, 63 per cent said the law as it stands is not fit for purpose and 57 per cent had received no response when attempting to contact sellers on online marketplaces. Some 59 per cent said they had been unable to locate details about where third-party sellers on online marketplaces were based and 29 per cent said they wee unable to deal with complaints about online marketplaces because of a lack of time and resources. CTSI chief executive John Herriman said: “Facebook Marketplace needs to up its game. At a time when more and more people are going online to buy things, there is a real urgency for online retailers to take their responsibilities to their customers more seriously. Currently, online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are operating with fewer safety regulations than traditional high street retailers, eroding fair competition and allowing the sale of unsafe goods to flood the market unabated Martyn Allen, Electrical Safety First “The fact that Facebook Marketplace is an offshoot of a social media platform rather than a service that was built as an online retailer from the ground up speaks volumes. If it wants to be seen as a proper online retailer where people can buy safe and legitimate goods, it needs to start acting like one. “Failing to take action against sellers who use their platform to mislead, rip off and potentially endanger consumers just isn’t good enough. “We are calling for all online marketplaces to take action against problem sellers, for the law to be tightened up so enforcers have more tools at their disposal to protect consumers, and for more resources that enable us to do that more effectively.” A Meta spokesman said: “We take these issues seriously and when we find listings that violate our rules, we remove them. “We also work closely with external partners and respond to valid legal requests from law enforcement and the Office for Product Safety and Standards, to prevent illegal activity on our platforms.” Phil Lewis, director general of the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG), said: “Criminals rely on legal e-commerce platforms, social media, maritime freight companies, express couriers, airlines, postal services and internet hosting services to set up rogue shopping sites. “ACG is calling on government to recognise the growing international threats to our families, job-providing businesses and the economy. “Appropriate enforcement resources and a policy architecture are desperately needed to ensure the companies providing these services work alongside our enforcement authorities and businesses, to combat this intensifying threat.” Martyn Allen, technical director of the charity Electrical Safety First, said: “Sadly, the high number of complaints Trading Standards officers receive regarding online purchases comes as no surprise. Online retailers like Facebook Marketplace need to be held to account just like any other type of business, otherwise consumers and legitimate businesses lose out Yvonne Fovargue, APPG on Consumer Protection “Currently, online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are operating with fewer safety regulations than traditional high street retailers, eroding fair competition and allowing the sale of unsafe goods to flood the market unabated. This puts UK citizens at serious risk of injury and harm. “It’s been a year and a half since the UK Government promised publication of the Product Safety Review, which is expected to include proposals to protect British consumers when they shop online. “The time for waiting is over – the Government must prioritise publishing the Review without any further delay.” Yvonne Fovargue, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Consumer Protection, said: “Since the pandemic and now, with the cost-of-living crisis, more people are buying products from online marketplaces. “These consumers deserve to be treated fairly and should be able to be confident that what they buy is safe and accurately described. “Online retailers like Facebook Marketplace need to be held to account just like any other type of business, otherwise consumers and legitimate businesses lose out.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live UKRI announces £50 million to develop trustworthy and secure AI ‘Last Beatles record’ was created using AI, says Paul McCartney Put ‘public good’ at heart of AI and new tech, Starmer to say

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