Fall 2023 Is All About Embracing the Waist—22 Items to Take on the Trend

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(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

Silhouettes that cinch at the waist have been gaining momentum this summer, but it was the fall/winter 2023 runways that truly cemented the trend, from Gigi Hadid's black Versace skirt suit with its strong shoulders and molded hourglass waist to the chunky belts nipping in waists at Max Mara, Alaïa, Carolina Herrera, and Schiaparelli. The messaging stood clear: This is the year to embrace the waist. 

On the back of a long bout of comfort dressing, we've seen a gradual move from the slouchy loungewear of lockdown toward tailored styles. Today's cinched-waist silhouettes are romantic and powerful. They're more dramatic than dainty and come in a whole variety of iterations that women of all body shapes can feel confident in. In fact, there are plenty of graduations to the silhouette. Many of this season's styles sculpt the waist in a soft, relaxed way that feels unintimidating and ultra-wearable.

If you're inspired by this season's cinched-waist trend, then take a peek below at plenty of outfit inspiration from the runways to street style, then shop some of our favorite wearable cinched-waist styles out there right now. From knit tops to sharp blazers and hourglass dresses, there's something for every taste and budget.

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Cinched Waists on the Runway
(Image credit: Courtesy of Versace)

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(Image credit: Proenza Schouler/Launchmetrics Spotlight)

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(Image credit: Max Mara/Launchmetrics Spotlight)

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(Image credit: Carolina Herrera/Launchmetrics Spotlight)

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(Image credit: Jason Wu/Launchmetrics Spotlight)

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(Image credit: Ermanno Scervino/Launchmetrics Spotlight)

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Cinched Waists on the Fashion Set
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

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(Image credit: @hoskelsa)

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(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)

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(Image credit: @bettinalooney)

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(Image credit: @thevisuelofgrace)

Shop our favorite cinched-waist styles:

Judith Jones
Senior Fashion Market Editor

Judith Jones is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear who specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.