Cut out dresses are trendy but not new! Fashion designers were experimenting with cut out features as early as the ’30s. The style was not made for the everyday person, but rather the glamorous few who were bold enough to try to pull off this daring look. The same is true today! It takes a certain amount of courage to wear a cut out dress. Here is your guide to rocking cut out dresses.
Wear With Confidence
Cut out styles demand attention. They are made for those who love fashion. They are made for those who embrace a little bit of excitement with their style. Wear your dress as if you are a glamorous Hollywood actress arriving to a photo shoot. Don’t forget to smile!
Show Some Skin
Cut out dresses can expose your back, side, mid-drift, thighs, or chest. The dress above is high necked and conservative in the front, but is open in the back. When you are considering modeling a dress like the one above, think about what you will wear underneath. You could go without a bra, or wear a backless bra or adhesive cups.
Only Bare What Is Comfortable
You know your own limits. Wear a cut out style that does not feel too risque. The style is edgy because it bares a flash of skin that might not usually be visible. If it suits you best, only show a small window that feels appropriate to your personality.
Have Fun
When you are shopping at thrift shops you have total control over how much you’d like to invest in an item. Find a dress for a few dollars, and have fun wearing it! Once you wear it to your event, you can feel guilt-free when you pass it along. Dresses are one of the best clothing items to buy used for just this reason. Glam up a summer party by arriving in a flirty, flashy dress, just because you can!
Highlight Your Best Feature
Dresses with a “cold shoulder”, or cut out shoulder, are everywhere these days, and there’s a reason! Some women do not want to show off their mid-drifts or backs. Who wants to be self conscious about rolls and folds when out in public? It is totally understandable to feel that some cut out styles are not flattering for your body shape. However, if you are willing to try and not sure where to start, consider a cold shoulder dress. Many women love their shoulders! Use a cut out dress to highlight a part of you that you love, and want to show off! In this photo actress and singer Marlene Dietrich is giving fans a glimpse of her shoulders in a peek-a-boo cold shoulder dress designed in the ’30s!
Wear Something Underneath
If your dress simply has too many cut outs to manage, but you still love it, wear something underneath! A great staple to own for all vintage lovers out there is a simple dress slip in a neutral color like black, tan, or white. You could also pair a see-though dress with a cute pair of thrifted leggings, printed tights, fitted tank top, or even jeans! When you fell in love with the perfect crochet ’60s dress, nothing should stop you from wearing it fearlessly.
The next time you are out thrift shopping or browsing through a flea market, check out the cut out dresses. This look has been loved by women for the 90 years. From the Hollywood glamour of the ’30s to see-through crochet dresses of the ’60s and funky asymmetrical cuts of the ’80s, we’ve seen many different variations! What are your favorite cut out styles? I’d love to hear in the comments below. Find your favorite and wear it with self confidence!