Naomi Watts surprised fans with her recent appearance at the Venice Film Festival this week, as she stepped onto the red carpet with an unusual fashion piece.

The 56-year-old Australian actress displayed a loving demeanor as she attended the event on Thursday alongside her husband, Billy Crudup, for the premiere of his latest film, Jay Kelly.

However, one accessory Naomi wore left many fans on Instagram scratching their heads. 

The remarkable dress, a bespoke Valentino gown crafted by Alessandro Michele, featured floral embellishments and a silk bow that observers initially mistook for a ‘fanny pack.’ 

“That black thing resembles a bum bag/fanny pack. It detracts from the beautiful dress. Completely unnecessary—designers, please remove it,” one fan insisted.

Another chimed in with a similar comment: ‘Beautiful dress but I thought the black bow was a fanny pack at first.’

Naomi Watts, 56, surprised fans with her recent appearance at the Venice Film Festival this week, as she stepped onto the red carpet with an unusual fashion piece

A third commented, “Stunning dress, but what’s with that bow?” while another viewer encapsulated the general opinion with: “The dress looks like it has an unsightly fanny pack built in, not a good look.”

‘Is that a fanny pack?’ said one other user. 

Nevertheless, most fans could agree Naomi’s dress was gorgeous with its plunging sweetheart neckline and embroidered flowers.

The actress accessorised with diamond drop earrings and styled her blonde hair in soft waves as she posed for the cameras. 

Meanwhile, Billy looked dapper in a cream tuxedo, paired with a crisp white shirt, black bow tie, and matching tailored trousers.

He finished the look with black patent leather brogues as he lovingly escorted Naomi down the red carpet.

The couple were not shy about showing affection during their red carpet appearance, happily holding hands as they posed for photographers. 

Naomi was also seen placing her arm lovingly around her husband’s shoulders while Billy stared into his wife’s eyes with palpable adoration. 

The actress put on a loved-up display as she attended the event on Thursday with husband Billy Crudup, 57, but fans were scratching their heads over the silk bow around her waist

The stunning dress, a custom Valentino gown designed by Alessandro Michele, was adorned with floral embellishments, including a silk bow which followers said looked like a ‘fanny pack’ at first glance 

It was a fact not lost on fans, with many forgetting Naomi’s odd fashion choice to swoon over the cute couple.  

‘Well, don’t accept less than someone looking at you the way Billy is looking at Naomi, bless,’ one follower gushed.

A second wrote: ‘Two thoughts – you two look deeply in love and your skin is positively radiant! The love no doubt enhances the radiance!’       

Naomi and Billy began dating in 2017 after they met on the set of the Netflix series Gypsy. 

After making their red carpet debut together in 2022, they went on to tie the knot in New York the following year.