Obsession du Jour: Cutout Dresses
One of Woody Allen's alter egos once said that relationships are like sharks—they've got to move forward to survive—a simile that is just as applicable to fashion as it is to love. Following the progression of a trend is always fascinating, whether it's watching the way Rodarte's cobweb tights turned into diamond-cut leather leggings or seeing how one strong collection featuring exposed zippers can launch a thousand YKK-embellished imitators. In addition to watching designers evolve, we also pay close attention to the way trends and key pieces develop. Right now, the body-con dress is topping our observation chart, as this snug silhouette transitioned into a daring shape for spring. While some runways showed fitted frocks with sheer details, the most daring designers simply did away with fabric all together! We're fascinated with the results, some of which we explore in this month's Obsession du Jour: Cutout Dresses.
We saw numerous iterations of these snipped-and-clipped dresses on so many spring runways, it's impossible to discuss them all. Instead, we're just going to give you a handful of highlights, please check them out at your leisure. Don't miss the slivers of skin at Narciso Rodriguez (shown above) or the sensuous looks at Givenchy, including the Crisscross Mini Sweater Dress
($681). Even Stella McCartney offered a version of the cutout frock with her Woven Strap Dress ($2395), modeled above by Lily Donaldson at a party in Paris.
Though there is a certain aggressive sexiness inherent in the cutout dress, as we researched this story, we found that there is a surprisingly wide range of styles available. Whether you prefer a punk look (try the safety-pinned tank dress from Stolen Girlfriends Club), something a bit sportier (Opening Ceremony's version is slightly scuba chic), or a sharply designed frock (hello Herve Leger!), surely there's one that fits your personal taste. Of course, you can always go the "classic" route as well and grab a bandage-style update of Demi Moore's Thierry Mugler-designed Indecent Proposal dress. Whatever you pick, you'll certainly be a cut above the rest!
H&M Crisscross Dress ($50)
We always adore H&M for its spot-on style, but they really killed it with this Crisscross Dress. It recalls the strap-happy frocks Cindy Crawford favored back in the early nineties. (Remember her bad-girl Barbarella moment in black Versace at the 1992 MTV Music Video Awards? Too hot!) This ultra-affordable cutout dress has a similar style and makes a strong statement. In short: we love the hint o' bondage!
Stolen Girlfriends Club No Safety Dress ($162)
If your style tends to run towards the punkish/Alice Dellal side of things, make sure you check out the pin-decorated dress by the Kiwi brand, Stolen Girlfriends Club. The white cotton tank is certainly edgy and really should only be attempted by those with abs of steel and an attitude to match.
Herve Leger Bandage Minidress ($990)
As professional red-carpet watchers, we've come to the conclusion that it's nearly impossible to find a celebrity event without also spotting a Herve Leger dress. After all, bandage-style frocks and bodacious starlets go hand in hand! Accordingly, we can't wait to see who wears the daring and dangerous Cutout Minidress, shown above. The sharply slashed dress is just a hot slice of naughtiness and deserves an equally sublimely shaped owner.
Scout Bra-Cup Dress ($180)
The Los Angeles boutique Scout is beloved by in-the-know shoppers and trendsetting tastemakers alike for its well-edited collection of new and vintage clothing. The shop's in-house line is always smartly designed and at a great price point, as you can probably tell from the sleek style of their Bra-Cup Dress.
Opening Ceremony Zip-Up Lattice Dress ($450)
We've found a slew of perfect pieces at Opening Ceremony lately, including this zip-front dress. Available in blue, as shown, or black, the bustier-style bodice is smart and slightly sporty, while the provocative, woven back is quite memorable.
Runway image from First View.
We saw numerous iterations of these snipped-and-clipped dresses on so many spring runways, it's impossible to discuss them all. Instead, we're just going to give you a handful of highlights, please check them out at your leisure. Don't miss the slivers of skin at Narciso Rodriguez (shown above) or the sensuous looks at Givenchy, including the Crisscross Mini Sweater Dress
Though there is a certain aggressive sexiness inherent in the cutout dress, as we researched this story, we found that there is a surprisingly wide range of styles available. Whether you prefer a punk look (try the safety-pinned tank dress from Stolen Girlfriends Club), something a bit sportier (Opening Ceremony's version is slightly scuba chic), or a sharply designed frock (hello Herve Leger!), surely there's one that fits your personal taste. Of course, you can always go the "classic" route as well and grab a bandage-style update of Demi Moore's Thierry Mugler-designed Indecent Proposal dress. Whatever you pick, you'll certainly be a cut above the rest!
H&M Crisscross Dress ($50)
We always adore H&M for its spot-on style, but they really killed it with this Crisscross Dress. It recalls the strap-happy frocks Cindy Crawford favored back in the early nineties. (Remember her bad-girl Barbarella moment in black Versace at the 1992 MTV Music Video Awards? Too hot!) This ultra-affordable cutout dress has a similar style and makes a strong statement. In short: we love the hint o' bondage!
Stolen Girlfriends Club No Safety Dress ($162)
If your style tends to run towards the punkish/Alice Dellal side of things, make sure you check out the pin-decorated dress by the Kiwi brand, Stolen Girlfriends Club. The white cotton tank is certainly edgy and really should only be attempted by those with abs of steel and an attitude to match.
Herve Leger Bandage Minidress ($990)
As professional red-carpet watchers, we've come to the conclusion that it's nearly impossible to find a celebrity event without also spotting a Herve Leger dress. After all, bandage-style frocks and bodacious starlets go hand in hand! Accordingly, we can't wait to see who wears the daring and dangerous Cutout Minidress, shown above. The sharply slashed dress is just a hot slice of naughtiness and deserves an equally sublimely shaped owner.
Scout Bra-Cup Dress ($180)
The Los Angeles boutique Scout is beloved by in-the-know shoppers and trendsetting tastemakers alike for its well-edited collection of new and vintage clothing. The shop's in-house line is always smartly designed and at a great price point, as you can probably tell from the sleek style of their Bra-Cup Dress.
Opening Ceremony Zip-Up Lattice Dress ($450)
We've found a slew of perfect pieces at Opening Ceremony lately, including this zip-front dress. Available in blue, as shown, or black, the bustier-style bodice is smart and slightly sporty, while the provocative, woven back is quite memorable.
Runway image from First View.
i'm really really starting to love cutout dresses. only black ones though. xx Noir Blanc Et Rouge Partout Noir Blanc Et Rouge Partout
Posted by: Noir Blanc Et R | 2009-04-11 18:17:17
Ladies beware of Scout! I bought a 200 dollar dress from them and the package came to me ripped open and empty. I called the postal service and they asked me to call them for more info. I did and they were huge dicks to me over the phone, refused to help had a bad attitude. They refused to put another dress on hold till I got my money back. They even fought me over getting my money. People at Scout are huge douchebags! Don't shop there its not worth it!
Posted by: Marisa | 2009-04-07 17:09:20
I like all of these dresses but I'm a broke college student so the HM one is the only one in my hemisphere financially!
Posted by: shannon | 2009-04-07 10:44:39
Love the H&M one, going to look for it this weekend though I doubt my H&M will have it.
Posted by: SheShe | 2009-04-07 10:07:00
i saw people and celebs wearing this dress like months ago, glad that it is now IN (even though a lil bit late). I like the way they cut and we can actually show off our skins without the trashy low-ish loook.
Posted by: garnettha | 2009-04-07 05:59:02
The Opening Ceremony is so sexy sans trashy with just the back cut-out. LOVE it and would like to see it in a million different colors...
Posted by: nicole | 2009-04-06 22:56:19
The Stolen Girlfriends Club dress is so tight. It looks like a pretty easy diy.. I'm sure a variation will show up on me on my blog in the near future! exquisillusiore.blogspot.com exquisillusiore.blogspot.com exquisillusiore.blogspot.com exquisillusiore.blogspot.com
Posted by: Hadley | 2009-04-06 15:47:55
IM SOO OBSESSED. hannahwanna.blogspot.com
Posted by: hannah | 2009-04-06 14:58:26
love these dresses, insanely sexy. Scout & Stolen Girlfriends Club are both such great brands. I Dont Like Mondays is my favorite place for them, they always have cute stuff - www.idontlikemondays.us
Posted by: Lulu | 2009-04-06 14:47:01
Awesome to see Stolen Girlfriends Club here! I have loved them for ever I own lots of pieces and they are all made so well and are totally badass. I am a proud kiwi seeing them featured! x ragpony.blogspot.com
Posted by: Emma | 2009-04-06 13:58:04
WWW... I heart you, Always on the Ball!!! I like Lilys' dress because its cutout and bondage but not super tight which gives u so many options on accessories, (if u need them) but helps also when deciding on shoes.. The Givenchy and Herve dresses are Marvelous Herve Leger designs the best bondage dress, I'm always satisfied , remember the rainbow striped one Lindays' wore a few seasons back, I can't get it out of my head !!! You guys are so awesome !!! The H & M dress is cute and I luv the blue Opening dress Thanks again WWW!
Posted by: The Illustrious | 2009-04-06 12:49:13
i am obsessed with cut out dresses at the moment! love the stolen girlfriends club and opening ceremony ones and of course herve leger can do no wrong!! http://fashionhedonism.blogspot.com
Posted by: Christing | 2009-04-06 12:18:17
Love the dresses, but Herve Leger is now by Max Azria! The real Herve Leger is now Hervé L. Leroux because Azria stole his company.
Posted by: aimy | 2009-04-06 11:43:22
the white Stolen Girlfriends dress is my fave ;)
Posted by: KiKi | 2009-04-06 10:58:27
so far i have been loving every dress by Herve Leger - especially the bandage ones! \\yy xo http://yvetteyeau.com
Posted by: Yvette | 2009-04-06 10:34:21
l o v e the opening ceremony one! looks like something harley viera newton was recently snapped wearing by the cobrasnake ;) great post! love the "cut above" last line ;)
Posted by: stephanie | 2009-04-06 10:29:28
great dresses. but the prices on the images are different than in the descriptions? hm. i got all excited about a $78 scout dress. x egotrippingatthegates.blogspot.com
Posted by: D | 2009-04-06 10:28:37
This looks sooooooo good!
Posted by: Lana | 2009-04-06 10:13:22
i agree with anna, what happened to the WWW tv? but anyway, this post is fabulous. i love it! I want the Opening Ceremony dress something terrible.
Posted by: Ami | 2009-04-06 09:52:40
I love love love all the dress. I want that H&M dress.
Posted by: Champagne | 2009-04-06 09:31:42
is the scout dress $78 or $180? you have it down as two different prices...
Posted by: viv | 2009-04-06 09:06:01
I love this post! I wish I could afford the Herve Leger or Givenchy, but I going to raid H&M tomorrow and search for that dress!!!!
Posted by: Diana | 2009-04-06 08:34:28
what happened to WWW TV?
Posted by: anna | 2009-04-06 08:17:47
All those dresses are awesome, especially the Herve Leger! Lovee this post xx
Posted by: Victoria C | 2009-04-06 08:08:37
i think this is my most favorite post ever!!!! <3!!! -closetidealist.blogspot.com
Posted by: sam | 2009-04-06 06:14:40
I LOVE cutout dresses!So sexy!
Posted by: guccilily | 2009-04-06 02:41:45