‘Cut-Out Dresses’

Highlight your curves with cut-out dresses

Cut-out dresses come with deliberate openings at the waist, shoulder, or back to add interest while keeping most of the body covered. Online assortments include minis, midis, and maxis across various price ranges.

Many fashionistas like a cut-out dress for summer or day events, where you want something a little more breathable, and for nights when you need something bold to lift the look. Think about pairing fitted evening dresses with strappy heels or match a looser style with easy, no-frills sandals and a small clutch.

Take your look to new heights with a cut out dress

Pay attention to where the slits in a cut out dress are and match them to the event you're going to. A small side opening comes across as dressy and quaint with heels, while larger midriff gaps work for daytime events, and can be teamed with a denim jacket or a blouse over the top.

For a more put-together look, choose midi lengths cut-out dresses in black or in a warm color, with shoulder or back openings, and add a low heel or block heel for extra balance. If you're heading to a festival or have more relaxed plans, think about pairing a long sleeve maxi dress with a midriff cut out and some flat sandals, plus a crossbody bag for a little hands-free comfort.

Wearing and pairing

You could match a fitted cut-out midi dress with a cropped jacket and ankle boots for a modern look, or wear a floaty maxi with a narrow belt to accentuate the waist where the cut-outs are.

If you want a little more contrast, combine a printed cut-out dress, like a leopard print dress, with some high-top sneakers and a leather jacket in case it gets cold.

If you're having an evening get-together and you want to turn heads, make sure you pair them with understated shoes and a compact bag to draw attention to the dress rather than the accessories.