Around the World in Underwear

THE MOVIE: “Truth or Dare.”

THE SETUP: Documentary on the singing pop icon Madonna, filmed onstage and off during her 1990 “Blond Ambition” tour.

THE LOOK: There’s Madonna at-home (well, at her hotel) in a white terry bathrobe wrapped over satin boxer shorts, black long-line bra and the requisite crucifix. There’s Madonna on a date (with Warren Beatty) dolled up in a short-short black slip dress, cross and daisies--yes, daisies--and wearing her hair in a French twist. There’s Madonna at a party decked out in cutoff jeans and a Pucci-style jersey top. There’s even Madonna-goes-society in a Chanel suit with pearls. Essential dress components: black bra straps showing at all times, dangling crucifix or magnifying glass, clunky-soled shoes, and, for her more demure moments, a few strands of real pearls. Favorite color: black, except for satin nightgowns, which are white. Her concert wardrobe is by now familiar, but wonderfully wicked: man-tailored suits worn with the women’s underwear on the outside.

THE SOURCES: Although her favorite stores are not revealed, Paris designer Jean Paul Gaultier designed her concert wear. He makes a cameo appearance in the film. The scene recording Madonna’s visit to the Paris Chanel store (mass hysteria) provides another clue to her shopping preferences. And she has talked about her appreciation for Franco Moschino, Italy’s fashion punster. Still, you have to wonder when the Material Girl has time to shop; she rarely appears in the same outfit twice.

THE PAYOFF: A close-up look at Madonna’s fashion smarts. Everyone else in her life, and in the movie, from her brother Chris to her backup singers and dancers, is just a blur.