A cut out dress lives or dies by placement. Done correctly, the openings sit where the body actually curves; a waist seam, a lower back, a hip bone so the eye reads shape not skin. Done incorrectly, the cut outs look arbitrary, like holes hacked in for no reason at all, and your dress looks unfinished rather than carefully considered. Engineering-wise, the good ones are built around the gap. Either there’s binding or a fold of fabric to prevent the edge from curling or gaping when you move, and a lining or structure to the rest of the dress to ensure the whole thing doesn’t feel like paper. Jersey and crepe are ideal fabrics, because they hold a clean edge without needing boning or heavy interfacing, though you can get away with something starchier like cotton or satin if you stabilize the panel next to the cut out enough.
Fit is more important than normal with these because there’s less fabric disguising every little thing.
The waist opening should be at the narrowest part of your torso, not necessarily where you think your waist ‘should’ be if it pulls across your stomach when you sit down. Side cut outs should be tested while you move your arms up and down, while walking, while sitting down; not just analyzed statically while you stare at yourself in the mirror. Necklines and hemlines beside the gap should fall smoothly against your skin rather than puckering, which will also usually mean the pattern was cut with the gap in mind rather than crudely sliced through a normal shape.
Once you’ve nailed the crucial bits, styling is easy if you don’t try too hard. These dresses lend themselves to minimal layering because anything you throw on top is instantly obliterating the point of those gorgeous openings. A flattering coat left open, as opposed to a cardigan buttoned up over the top. A single statement necklace instead of two or three competing ones. Shoes can be special occasion sexy because your eye will already be drawn elsewhere. pumps, ankle boots.
These aren’t day dresses. Save them for evenings out, where you know you won’t be sitting around a desk or in a car seat for long periods of time. Restaurants, bars, parties; anytime with music and people and a lot of standing around. If you’ll be sitting down most of the night a hem or hip opening is going to feel like a problem rather than a feature pretty damn quickly.
Top Picks
CUT OUT DRESSCHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Elegant Lace Applique V-neck Ruched Satin Cut Out Corset Prom Dress with Slit
$179.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CUT OUT DRESSTHE LUXURY CLOSETMadoh Black Crepe Cut Out Detail Maxi Dress
$634.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
CUT OUT DRESSHARVEY NICHOLS USAkyn Cut-out Stretch-cotton Gauze Midi Dress - Navy - M (UK12 / M)
$759.93 HARVEY NICHOLS US
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Elegant Lace Applique V-neck Ruched Satin Cut Out Corset Prom Dress with Slit
$179.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDRomantic Off Shoulder Lace Prom Dress Corset Cut Out Mermaid Gown Lace Evening Wear
$199.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HARVEY NICHOLS USSkims Cut-out Stretch-jersey Mini Dress - Off White - M (UK12-14)
$115.92 HARVEY NICHOLS US
DAILY SALE, INC.Women‘s Split Cut Out Midi Dress
$28.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
HARVEY NICHOLS USChristopher Esber Infinity Cut-out Jersey Maxi Dress - Black - 40 (UK12 / M)
$933.81 HARVEY NICHOLS US
HARVEY NICHOLS USSimkhai Katharine Embellished Cut-out Mini Dress - Black
$837.21 HARVEY NICHOLS US
THE LUXURY CLOSETFendi Kids Lavender Jersey Cut-Out Dress 8Yrs
$249.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Elegant Strapless Lace Applique Corset Cut Out Prom Dress with Side Slit
$179.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
FARMRIOLight Blue Spring Affair Cut-Out Mini Dress, SPRING AFFAIR LIGHT BLUE
$248.00 FARMRIO
HARVEY NICHOLS USJacquemus La Robe Bari Sand Cut-out Linen Blazer Dress - Beige
$901.61 HARVEY NICHOLS US
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Sexy Cut Out Lace A-line Gown Corset Party Prom Dress
$179.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
FARMRIOPink Floral Delhi Tapestry Scallop Cut-Out Mini Dress, FLORAL DELHI TAPESTRY LIGHT PINK
$280.00 FARMRIO
W CONCEPT (US)CUT-OUT ROUND NECK JACKET DRESS DARK GRAY MBDFOP
$192.00 W CONCEPT (US)
HARVEY NICHOLS USAkyn Cut-out Stretch-cotton Gauze Midi Dress - Navy - M (UK12 / M)
$759.93 HARVEY NICHOLS US
THE LUXURY CLOSETBottega Veneta Black Rib Knit Cut-Out Mini Dress
$554.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
FARMRIOWhite Malu Winter Cut-Out Long Sleeve Maxi Dress, MALU WINTER WHITE
$398.00 FARMRIO
FARMRIOMulticolor Tropical Painting Cut-Out Buckles Maxi Dress, TROPICAL PAINTING MULTICOLOR
$298.00 FARMRIO
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Stunning Mermaid Ruched Satin Cut Out Corset Long Prom Dress with Slit
$189.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDElegant Lace V-neck A Line Cut Out Tulle Prom Dress
$189.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
FARMRIODark Blue Cut-Out Short Sleeve Maxi Dress, DARK BLUE
$170.00 FARMRIO
HARVEY NICHOLS USSkims Cut-out Stretch-jersey Mini Dress - Dark Grey - M (UK12-14)
$115.92 HARVEY NICHOLS US
HARVEY NICHOLS USSimkhai Jenna Textured Cut-out Knit Mini Dress - Black
$708.41 HARVEY NICHOLS US
THE LUXURY CLOSETMagda Butrym Black Cut-Out Jersey Ruche Mini Dress
$219.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
EGO (US & CA)Long Sleeve Cut Out Front Layered Frill Hem Detail Mini Dress In Black Lace, Women's Size US
$34.00 EGO (US & CA)
W CONCEPT (US)Reversable Open Back Cut-out Dress (Black)
$174.00 W CONCEPT (US)
DAILY SALE, INC.Women's Sexy Bodycon Deep V Neck Long Sleeve Cut Out Club Mini Dress
$28.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
SELDOM SEEN STYLESWomen's Strapless Bodycon Mini Dress Ruched Cut Out Tube Top Party Dress Set
$29.16 SELDOM SEEN STYLES
RENT THE RUNWAYRonny Kobo x RTR Cut Out Mini Dress Red-print
$52.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
THE LUXURY CLOSETMadoh Black Crepe Cut Out Detail Maxi Dress
$634.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
THE LUXURY CLOSETMaje White Embroidered Gabardine Cotton Cut-Out Detail Mini Dress
$163.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
GODDIVAGoddiva Cut Out Ruched Bodycon Midi Dress
$28.00 GODDIVA
EGO (US & CA)Halterneck Strappy Cut Out Draped Front Mini Dress In Lilac Floral Print, Women's Size US
$28.00 EGO (US & CA)
SELDOM SEEN STYLESArrietty Flower Draped Skirt SetWomen's Pink Cut Out Maxi Dress Flower Detail High Split Vacation Party Dress Set
$44.00 SELDOM SEEN STYLES
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Stunning Off The Shoulder Lace Cut Out Corset Long Mermaid Prom Dress Slit
$189.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAMRibbed Cut Out Front Side Slit Maxi Dress
$46.24 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDElegant Lace Corset Cut Out Lace Mermaid Prom Dress with Cap Sleeves
$179.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
PLANET BLUE CORPMapale Asymmetrical Cut-Out Dress with Ring Detail and Sheer Mesh Back
$44.00 PLANET BLUE CORP
PETAL & PUP USMerletto Cut Out Maxi Dress
$109.00 PETAL & PUP US
SELDOM SEEN STYLESWomen's Color Block Mini Dress Backless Spaghetti Strap Cut Out Party Dress
$28.98 SELDOM SEEN STYLES
THE LUXURY CLOSETM Missoni Multicolor Knit Cut Out Shoulder Dress
$288.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAMSolid Cut Out Ruched Spaghetti Strap Tiered Dress
$49.50 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM
RENT THE RUNWAYWeworewhat Cut Out Mini Dress Blue-cream-print
$104.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
EGO (US & CA)Bardot Ruched Cut Out Detail Mini Dress In Chocolate Brown, Women's Size US
$29.00 EGO (US & CA)
W CONCEPT (US)Double Neck Cut-Out Dress [Cream]
$240.00 W CONCEPT (US)
W CONCEPT (US)Puff Sleeve Cut - Out Detail Dress Check WBCSOP003
$275.00 W CONCEPT (US)
EGO (US & CA)Cape One Shoulder Cut Out Mini Dress In Black Sequin, Women's Size US
$42.00 EGO (US & CA)
−70%
CALVIN KLEINCalvin Klein Women's Sheer Cut Out Back Maxi Dress - Black$279.90
$83.97 CALVIN KLEIN
−40%
SHOPBOPSeven Wonders Myla Braided Cut Out Maxi Dress Red$159.00
$95.40 SHOPBOP
−55%
IFCHICDsquared2 Maxi Cut Out Cotton Polo Dress$720.00
$324.00 IFCHIC
−25%
IFCHICJacquemus Mistral Fluid Viscose Jersey Boat Neck Cut-Out Mini Dress - X$850.00
$637.50 IFCHIC
![Double Neck Cut-Out Dress [Cream]](https://images2.productserve.com/?w=200&h=200&bg=white&trim=5&t=letterbox&url=ssl%3Acdn.wconcept.com%2Fproducts%2F7205040%2F92%2F720504092_1.jpg&feedId=21675&k=a1e686fda5bd2a2a4503753436a1d9dc7ddf742d)
