History Main / ActionDressRip

* In ''Manga/HighschoolOfTheDead'', [[ActionGirl Saeko]] does this to the [[{{CloudcuckooLander}} school]] [[GagBoobs doctor]]. Her response is an angry "That was Prada (manga)/Christian Dior (anime dub)!"

* Done in ''WesternAnimation/TotallySpies'' to sari. They even ditched the shoulder sashes, causing them to [[BareYourMidriff bare their midriffs]].

* ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'': In ''Breaking Dawn'', newborn vampire Bella goes out for her first hunt in a tight evening dress that Alice put her in. As she gets ready to jump the river, the dress rips. Bella then rips both sides in order to get the mobility needed to run, much to Alice's chagrin. Prior to this moment, she also ditched the high heels.

* When ''ComicBook/{{Batgirl|2009}}'' and ''ComicBook/RedRobin'' team up to protect Dr. Leslie Thompkins at a charity ball Steph has to modify her dress a bit for better mobility.

* The ''ComicBook/BlackWidow'' does this in Issue #2 of the Kelly Thompson run before engaging some crooks that have accosted a woman in an alley.

** ''ComicBook/UncannyXMen #98'': [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey Jean Grey]] is in an elaborate ankle-length evening dress, not designed for running from Sentinels as they are doing. When Jean tries and fails to tear the dress, [[Characters/WolverineJamesLoganHowlett Logan]] [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fAQESS8RUPc/Um-pm93O_jI/AAAAAAAAStc/q2xbXbd9GHI/s1600/Image00011.jpg volunteers]] and rips a substantial chunk off, leaving Jean to do battle [[{{Fanservice}} in a ragged]] [[http://web.archive.org/web/20040116020015/http://www.collectortimes.com:80/2001_06/dress.gif micro-mini skirt.]]

** There's a scene in ''By the Sword'' by Creator/MercedesLackey where Kero tells her brother's betrothed (whom she had just rescued from a wizard and a large creature she was going to be fed to) to slit her skirts so she need not ride sidesaddle. The latter was horrified about the prospect of being so "unwomanly" until Kero made an observation:

** Defied in the ''Arrows'' trilogy, where Queen's Own Companion Talia (who might have to conduct a ceremony one minute and defend the Queen at knifepoint the next), has a formal gown which is specifically made to be practical to fight in -- no train, for example, and detachable sleeves.

Some {{Fanservice}} occurs, as this is a combination of ClothingDamage and ShesGotLegs.

* In the last few episodes of ''Anime/PumpkinScissors'', Alice goes to a fancy ball with her fiancé, [[spoiler:Lionel]]. She dresses up very nicely for the event, but when [[spoiler:a mob shows up, intending to kill a certain philandering Lord and the other guests too, she challenges that Lord to a duel to keep the bloodshed to a minimum. He calls forth two assassins as proxies instead of fighting her himself]]. After fighting for a while in her fancy dress and heels, the hem of her skirt is cut/torn by her opponent, and she pauses long enough to tear it shorter and more even, so as not to trip on the ragged end.

Compare RipTailoring (a non-action version), MinidressOfPower, FromDressToDressing. Contrast KickingAssInAllHerFinery, BattleBallgown. See also RealWomenDontWearDresses.

** She did again with her wedding dress when the wedding ceremony with ComicBook/GreenArrow is interrupted by [[Characters/BatmanDeathstroke Deathstroke]] and his gang.

** She did again with her wedding dress when the wedding ceremony with ComicBook/GreenArrow is interrupted by ComicBook/{{Deathstroke}} and his gang.

* As shown in [[http://www.gameoverforever.com/gags_en/go_g_072.html this strip]] of the French comic ''ComicBook/GameOver'' (a spin-off of ''Comicbook/KidPaddle''), it is best to ''warn'' beforehand your female companion when you're about to do this to her dress.

* In ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'', Comicbook/LoisLane did it with a ''wedding dress'' while [[BloodstainedGlassWindows shooting up a church]] at her undercover wedding to a drug lord. And then storms into the Daily Planet like that to re-accept Clark's marriage proposal. No-one at the Planet [[SeenItAll really notices,]] because Lois [[IntrepidReporter has a certain reputation]] [[WeirdnessMagnet for pulling this kind of crazy shit twice a month]], and [[CityOfAdventure Metropolis is wild and crazy like that.]] Hell, their high schools' PE classes probably teach the art of the action dress rip regularly, in case Superman and an army of Nazi mecha-ninjas suddenly fall through the ceiling during your black-tie prom and you [[EverybodyWasKungFuFighting find yourself in need of throwing around some kung-fu.]] It's just basic common sense.

** ''ComicBook/UncannyXMen #98'': Comicbook/JeanGrey is in an elaborate ankle-length evening dress, not designed for running from Sentinels as they are doing. When Jean tries and fails to tear the dress, [[ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} Logan]] [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fAQESS8RUPc/Um-pm93O_jI/AAAAAAAAStc/q2xbXbd9GHI/s1600/Image00011.jpg volunteers]] and rips a substantial chunk off, leaving Jean to do battle [[{{Fanservice}} in a ragged]] [[http://web.archive.org/web/20040116020015/http://www.collectortimes.com:80/2001_06/dress.gif micro-mini skirt.]]

** Another ''X-Men'' story subverted this: When the Fury starts to attack the X-Men, Logan points out that Comicbook/{{Storm|MarvelComics}}'s dress isn't really suitable for fighting in and makes the [[MundaneUtility appropriate adjustments with his claws]] with just as much glee as before. Storm looked rather annoyed, and then switched off the holographic image inducer she was wearing, revealing that she was actually wearing trousers, which are now shorts.
* Comicbook/KateBishop made her debut in ''Comicbook/YoungAvengers'' by tearing a slit in her bridesmaid's dress when some goons stick up her sister's wedding and helping the Young Avengers take them down.

* Sometimes happens on ''Series/RupaulsDragRace'' during the "Lipsynch For Your Life" segment. If the queen(s) lipsynching have on an overly-tight or bulky dress, they'll sometimes remove the skirt to give themselves more freedom of movement during the performance. This may involve ripping the dress if it's not made to come apart; there ''is'' $100,000 at stake.

* Knell in ''Webcomic/AntiBunny'' performs one [[http://www.antibunny.com/d/20110619.html here]].

* In the ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' episode "Maid of Honor", Diana alias Franchise/WonderWoman rips off the hem of her dress in order to rescue the captured Princess Audrey of Kasnia.

-->'''Jean:''' ''Hey!'' Not so blasted ''short!''

-->"That leech-thing might not be dead, you know."

* Naomi in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots''. In order to run from incoming Gekko, she rips her stockings and gets rid of her shoes in other to move faster. Other than being somewhat sexier (she wasn't wearing a bra, in the first place, and left her lab coat unbuttoned. Plus if you got a stocking foot fetish well...), it doesn't have anything to do with the plot.

** Another ''X-Men'' story subverted this: When the Fury starts to attack the X-Men, Logan points out that Comicbook/{{Storm}}'s dress isn't really suitable for fighting in and makes the [[MundaneUtility appropriate adjustments with his claws]] with just as much glee as before. Storm looked rather annoyed, and then switched off the holographic image inducer she was wearing, revealing that she was actually wearing trousers, which are now shorts.

* In ''Anime/SenkiZesshouSymphogear'', Hibiki quickly learns that her CombatStilettos are holding her back from fighting properly. Her solution? Stomping her feet so hard that they break.

* Creel of ''Literature/DragonSlippers'' is forced to rip her heavily embroidered dress (a showcase of her talent in order to get a sponsor) in order to ride dragon back, and thus save the kingdom. She is able to save most of it, though, by simply slitting the sides. However, in ''Dragon Spear'', Creel is forced to utterly destroy her [[spoiler:wedding dress]] in order to [[spoiler:save Veilkca's eggs from falling into the sea]] this time it doesn't get better.

Compare RipTailoring (a non-action version), MinidressOfPower, FromDressToDressing. Contrast KickingAssInAllHerFinery, BattleBallgown.

%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1379815276096170900
%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.

* Played with in the Russian miniseries ''Catherine's Musketeers'', where the dresses of the protagonist {{Action Girl}}s are specially designed to be easily convertible.

* In the ''Series/CrisisOnEarthX'' event, when Nazis from Earth-X invade Barry and Iris' wedding, all hell breaks loose. Having spent the previous night together, Sara Lance and Alex Danvers do a tandem dress rip. They even pause to briefly admire each other before wading into the fight.
* Sometimes happens on ''Series/RupaulsDragRace'' during the "Lipsynch For Your Life" segment. If the queen(s) lipsynching have on an overly-tight or bulky dress, they'll sometimes remove the skirt to give themselves more freedom of movement during the performance. This may involve ripping the dress if it's not made to come apart; there ''is'' $100,000 at stake.
** Tragically subverted in the season 12 Ball Challenge. [[spoiler: Rock M Sakura]] tries to rip the rigid panniers of her dress apart but the outfit is too well constructed, literally hanging by a thread at one point. By the time she's free she over compensates with splits and spins but it's still not enough to keep her in the competition.

* This happens in ''VideoGame/TombRaiderLegend'' when Lara Croft visits Japan in a [[{{Fanservice}} very fetching]] LittleBlackDress. The Yakuza show up, and Lara dives for cover behind the bar so she can strategically rip her skirt and strap gun holsters to her thighs.

* Calista does so in ''VideoGame/TheLastStory'' when the Gurak attack Lazulis Castle during her engagement announcement. Though five minutes later, you pass by her room and she can duck in to change into something more appropriate.
** You also get to keep the torn dress as a piece of armor exclusive to Calista. It has appalling stats and can't be upgraded, but keeps its {{Fanservice}} appeal and can even be dyed different colors!

* Toko Fukawa's school uniform dress is tattered and has one in ''VideoGame/DanganronpaAnotherEpisodeUltraDespairGirls'', which reveals [[spoiler:KillTally marks on her thigh representing her SplitPersonality SerialKiller Genocide Jack's victims]].
* In ''VideoGame/GranblueFantasy'', this is the essential ''gimmick'' of Therese's SSR version. She's helping Fille commemorate a major Gem Domain holiday with a performance duel... and Fille got her an outfit that is several times too fancy and poofy to effectively fight in. She ends up having to rip the dress up a bit in order to move freely and win. Unfortunately, she then realizes backstage it just makes the outfit more revealing...

* ''Webcomic/FeyWinds'', Kit ditches her fancy dress when the fighting begins. Inexplicably, [[ShirtlessScene Nigel also strips.]]
-->'''Sid:''' Why did Nigel take off all of ''his'' clothes, too?\\
'''Larina:''' I... don't know. Solidarity?
* In ''Webcomic/RPGWorld'', Cherry wears a pimped out dress to a ballroom dance. But when the bad guys attack, she rips the thing down to a miniskirt and breaks out the crossbow.
* Played with in ''Webcomic/{{Exiern}}'' when Tiffany's ball gown resists her best efforts.
-->'''Tiffany:''' ''[rucking up her skirt]'' What is this thing ''made'' of?
* ''Webcomic/{{Earthsong}}'' plays with this when Beluosus invades Haven during a ball. Nanashi simply detaches her long skirt to reveal trousers beneath--she had stipulated that in the design, just in case.

* Yuuki performs a minor one in chapter 88 in ''Manga/VampireKnight''.

* ''ComicBook/XMen'':
** ''ComicBook/UncannyXMen #98'': Comicbook/JeanGrey is in an elaborate ankle-length evening dress, not designed for running from Sentinels as they are doing. When Jean tries and fails to tear the dress, [[ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} Logan]] [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fAQESS8RUPc/Um-pm93O_jI/AAAAAAAAStc/q2xbXbd9GHI/s1600/Image00011.jpg volunteers]] and rips a substantial chunk off, leaving Jean to do battle [[{{Fanservice}} in a ragged]] [[http://web.archive.org/web/20040116020015/http://www.collectortimes.com:80/2001_06/dress.gif micro-mini skirt.]]
-->'''Jean:''' ''Hey!'' Not so blasted ''short!''
** Another ''X-Men'' story subverted this: When the Fury starts to attack the X-Men, Logan points out that Comicbook/{{Storm}}'s dress isn't really suitable for fighting in and makes the [[MundaneUtility appropriate adjustments with his claws]] with just as much glee as before. Storm looked rather annoyed, and then switched off the holographic image inducer she was wearing, revealing that she was actually wearing trousers, which are now shorts.

* As shown in [[http://www.gameoverforever.com/gags_en/go_g_072.html this strip]] of the French comic ''Game Over'' (a spin-off of ''Comicbook/KidPaddle''), it is best to ''warn'' beforehand your female companion when you're about to do this to her dress.
* Comicbook/KateBishop made her debut in ''Comicbook/YoungAvengers'' by tearing a slit in her bridesmaid's dress when some goons stick up her sister's wedding and helping the Young Avengers take them down.

* ''Lady S'' once has to climb on the roof, and she wears an impractical dress. So she could have used this trope. But she subverts it by removing the dress instead, proving she's a ShamelessFanserviceGirl.
* When ''ComicBook/{{Batgirl|2009}}'' and ''ComicBook/RedRobin'' team up to protect Dr. Leslie Thompkins at a charity ball Steph has to modify her dress a bit for better mobility.
* The ComicBook/BlackWidow does this in Issue #2 of the Kelly Thompson run before engaging some crooks that have accosted a woman in an alley.

* ComicStrip/ModestyBlaise has invested in a skirt with Velcro instead of stitches on one side so it can be removed quickly. If she happens to be wearing something else when the {{mooks}} of the day surround her and ask her to step into their car, she'll do an Action Dress Rip and (sometimes) complain that she just bought it later. Modesty Blaise ditches both her skirt ''and'' her high heels before the fight in several episodes. She could have named this trope... except that, as noted, she typically removes the skirt entirely rather than just rip it open.

* In one story of the ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' series ''Fanfic/FacingTheFutureSeries'', [[OppositeSexClone Danielle]] was brainwashed into a maiden. When she came out of it, she was so angry about the dress she was wearing that it was shredded to ribbons when she transformed.

* ''Fanfic/AManOfIron'': When Ironborn raiders attack the tournament being held for her and Jon's wedding, Natasha rips off the bottom of her dress in order to give her more room to fight with.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12870119/20/Narcissa-s-Chance Narcissa's Chance]]'' Bellatrix uses a cutting curse on the skirt of her wedding dress when Death Eaters crash her and Harry's marriage ceremony.

* The Princesses in ''WesternAnimation/ShrekTheThird'' rip their skirts when they [[DamselOutOfDistress decide to rescue themselves]]. As for shoes, Cinderella is seen ''sharpening'' hers.

* Indiana Jones ripped off part of Marion's dress in ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk''.

* The same variation occurs in ''Film/CharliesAngels2000'', where Dylan and Alex strip off the bottom half of their ballgowns to reveal more action-friendly [[HellBentForLeather leather pants]].

* Hel in ''Film/BitchSlap''.
* A male version in ''Film/TheHunted1995'', in which a 20th-century samurai rips off his own shirt sleeves half-way through a fight with a band of ninjas, in order to give himself proper freedom of movement.
* In the ''Film/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' movie, Buffy rips off the bottom 2/3 of her prom dress, when she has to fight off the vampires that attacked the senior prom.
* Occurs in ''Film/NightOfTheLivingDead3D'' as Barb attempts to flee from a horde of zombies. [[TooDumbToLive She doesn't ditch the high heels, though.]]
%%* Morgan (Geena Davis) in ''Film/CutthroatIsland''.
%%* Helena in ''Film/MirrorMask''.
* Played with in the Russian miniseries ''Catherine's Musketeers'', where the dresses of the protagonist {{Action Girl}}s are specially designed to be easily convertible.
* In ''Film/SnowWhiteAndTheHuntsman'', the Huntsman does this to Snow White's dress when they're trekking through the forest.
* In ''Film/TheLoneRanger'', Rebecca tears the bottom off her dress before crawling along the outside of the train.
* Jane in ''Film/{{Austenland}}'' has been riding sidesaddle, but needs to ride astride to outrun a rainstorm. In this case, the dress is ripped vertically. (She still has some kind of long underwear to conceal her legs.)
* In ''Film/MacheteKills'', Miss San Antonio draws a switchblade apparently to fight another ActionGirl...then stabs it into her own dress, slicing a long line down her skirt so she can move freely. She then throws aside the knife [[CatFight for some hand-to-hand]].
* In the classic suspense movie ''Arabesque'' Gregory Peck tears open the side seam of Sophia Loren's tight skirt so she can ride a horse.
* PlayedForLaughs in ''Film/JurassicWorld''. Owen Grady tells Claire Dearing she can't come along with him into the jungle as she's hardly dressed for it in her corporate dress suit. Claire puts on a determined look, rolls up her sleeves, and ties her shirt in front, just like Dr. Ellie Sattler in the original ''Film/JurassicPark''. As she [[FanService reveals a lot more skin doing so]], Owen just gapes and asks what she's doing. A DeathGlare in response [[DistractedByTheSexy gets his brain working again]].
* In ''Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017'', Belle rips off her iconic yellow ballgown and discards it on the ground when she rides to protect the Beast from Gaston, wearing only a chemise and petticoat throughout the final battle.
* Combined with GivingThemTheStrip in ''Film/PromNight2008''. When Fenton steps on the hem of Lisa's dress, she escapes by running so the bottom of her dress rips off.
* The titular ''Film/AmericanNinja'' does that early in the 1st film. He rescues a young woman from kidnapping and needs her to move through the jungle quickly. He breaks heels off her shoes, then cuts her tight skirt and ties the shreds to create less constricting shorts.
* In ''Film/ReadyOrNot2019,'' Grace has a moment when she's alone after Alex reveals that her previously friendly in-laws are trying to hunt her down and kill her. Her tearing off the bottom of her wedding dress seems to signal that she's accepted the (admittedly ludicrous) situation and realized she needs to get serious.
* A variation happens in ''Film/{{Dreamgirls}}''. When Curtis hires Michelle to be his secretary (out of a parking lot full of people hoping for a record deal), he sees her long, manicured nails and wonders how she'll type with them. She nonchalantly breaks them all off and is good to go.
* ''Film/StrippedToKill'': While performing in Amateur Night at Rock Bottom, the zipper on Cody's dress gets stuck. Because she needs to win the contest, she rips the entire dress off her body to continue her routine.

* In Phillip Reeve's ''Literature/{{Larklight}}'', Ulla doesn't stop at ripping off the hem -- she rips the entire skirt off. However, the book being a SteamPunk fantasy, she's still wearing knee-length underwear.

* Averted in a [[Literature/TortallUniverse Tortall]] short story where [[ActionGirl Kylaia]] has to challenge a man to win back her sister's honor. Rather than rip the dress, she just takes it off and fights in her underwear.
* Creel of ''Dragon Slippers'' is forced to rip her heavily embroidered dress (a showcase of her talent in order to get a sponsor) in order to ride dragon back, and thus save the kingdom. She is able to save most of it, though, by simply slitting the sides. However, in ''Dragon Spear'', Creel is forced to utterly destroy her [[spoiler:wedding dress]] in order to [[spoiler:save Veilkca's eggs from falling into the sea]] this time it doesn't get better.
* ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'': In ''Breaking Dawn'', newborn vampire Bella goes out for her first hunt in a tight evening dress that Alice put her in. As she gets ready to jump the river, the dress rips. Bella then rips both sides in order to get the mobility needed to run, much to Alice's chagrin. Prior to this moment, she also ditched the high heels.
* In the first book of ''Literature/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy'', Vin rips away the entire dress when in a hurry. Later she gets a dress designed for Mistborn who wish to avoid doing this and loves it.
* Akroma does this in the ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' novel ''Legions''.
* ''Literature/DawnOfSteam'': Sam Bowe has does this when assassins intent on killing the French Monarch attack a ball she is attending. Since she hates wearing the dress in the first place, she takes great pleasure in destroying it over the course of the battle until she is left in nothing but her underclothes by the aftermath.

* ''Literature/ChroniclesOfTheKencyrath''. In "Seeker's Mask", Jame does this while being hunted by Shadow Assassins, and she's hobbled by the skirt that she's been forced to wear as a ProperLady. Unfortunately, she doesn't know her clothes once belonged to Aerulan, [[TheMourningAfter the deceased lover of Brenwyr]], who is horrified when Jame rips the dress in front of her (though she accepts the necessity).

* In one of ''Franchise/LupinIII'' movies, ''Anime/FarewellToNostradamus'', Fujiko did this when regains her memory.

* The [[WholeEpisodeFlashback flashback chapter]] of ''Manga/SgtFrog'' that shows how Momoka and Tamama met shows Momoka doing this as she rushes to save Tamama from an alien attack dog.

** In the Alabasta Arc, Nami tears the skirt of her Dancing Girl Outfit in order to fight better against [[spoiler:the assassin Ms. Doublefinger]].
** Also happens in the 10th movie: ''Anime/OnePieceFilmStrongWorld''.