The Prettiest Dress Style of 2020 Has Arrived
There’s nothing that gets us going more than a legitimately pretty trend. Sure, practical trends (like next-wave comfortable shoes, for example) are important, but it’s those gorgeous, statement-making new looks that truly fill us with excitement each new season. One of said trends just so happens to be an It-dress silhouette from the S/S 20 runways: tiered dresses.
Now, this dress shape isn’t necessarily new since it’s been trickling in and out of the trend cycle for years, but as designers from Alexander McQueen to Dior showcased, the chic, multilayered style will hit us hard in an even more noteworthy way come 2020. While many of the updated takes on the new tiered dress will feature dramatic designs in eclectic hues, there will also be a smattering of highly wearable picks as well to incorporate into your night-out vibe or yes, even your day-to-day.
To highlight all of this further, we rounded up a series of runway looks as well as a range of stunning street style looks featuring tiered dresses to showcase how to pull off the trend IRL. Because we know you won’t want to wait until 2020 to test out the look, we shopped out some inspired silhouettes you can buy right now as well.
It really doesn’t get more gorgeous than this luxurious high-neck white tiered dress at Alexander McQueen complete with the unexpected wide black belt.
Well-known for his breathtaking gowns, Giambattista Valli’s spring collection of tiered dresses offered floor-sweeping designs in pretty floral prints.
This gown at Chanel is gorgeous for so many reasons—from the pretty print to the dramatic floor-sweeping design.
Never shy of color, Christopher Kane didn’t hold back in this ruffled dress in a rich red hue with unique hardware accents.
A sheer dress—like this one at Dior—brings an extra layer of drama to the already-impactful tiered shape.
Style tip: Don’t be afraid to mix edgier silhouettes like mock-croc boots with a more delicate tiered dress for a very-right-now vibe.
Style tip: A midi-length dress in a neutral hue is ideal for that 9-to-5 life with a slouchy blazer and booties.
Style tip: Go bold in an eye-catching knee-length dress with equally statement-making accessories like snakeskin knee-high boots.
Style tip: Make a summery-feeling tiered dress work for winter by tossing on a shearling coat with knee-high boots.
Style tip: Have a formal event coming up? Embrace a tiered dress in a darker hue with pretty sheer and lace detailing.
Style tip: Give a boxier silhouette even more shape with the addition of a cool belt.
Now, shop more tiered dresses:
Sage is one of the It shades of the moment. Combine it with an It dress silhouette and, well, that’s just perfection.
Take a cue from this look and team this smock dress with Dr. Martens for a "downtown” feel.
Toss this pink maxi dress on with boots and you’ll look instantly high-fashion.
The puff sleeves and ruffled top bring a playful spin to this burgundy stunner.
Wear this beauty to an event, a wedding, or anywhere in-between.
This printed style would work well with knee-high boots and a leather jacket for the colder months.
Next, check out the best dress silhouette to wear with boots.
Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.
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