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 DRESSZEAGOOFlowy Cut Out Halter Neck Long Dress 3D Flower Chiffon Ruffle Frill Trim Puffy Swing Dress - Pink / L(8-10)
$45.99 ZEAGOO
CUT OUT DRESSUNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAMCut Out Waist Ruffle Hem Puff Sleeves Fit Dress
$49.50 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM
CUT OUT DRESSCHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Sexy Cut Out Lace A-line Gown Corset Party Prom Dress
$157.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Elegant Lace Applique V-neck Ruched Satin Cut Out Corset Prom Dress with Slit
$157.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDElegant Lace V-neck A Line Cut Out Tulle Prom Dress
$166.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
FARMRIORed Artsy Flora Cut-Out Maxi Dress, RED
$170.00 FARMRIO
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Elegant Strapless Lace Applique Corset Cut Out Prom Dress with Side Slit
$157.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HARVEY NICHOLS USSkims Cut-out Stretch-jersey Mini Dress - Off White - S (UK8-10)
$115.92 HARVEY NICHOLS US
HARVEY NICHOLS USFrame Cut-out Ribbed-knit Midi Dress - Pink
$476.56 HARVEY NICHOLS US
HARVEY NICHOLS USSkims Cut-out Stretch-jersey Mini Dress - Dark Grey
$115.92 HARVEY NICHOLS US
DAILY SALE, INC.One Shoulder Cut Out Midi Dress
$56.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
EGO (US & CA)Halterneck Cut Out Twist Front Shell Trim Detail Maxi Dress In Pink, Women's Size US
$41.00 EGO (US & CA)
FARMRIOMulticolor Delicate Forest Cut-Out Maxi Dress, DELICATE FOREST MULTICOLOR
$360.00 FARMRIO
DAILY SALE, INC.Women‘s Split Cut Out Midi Dress
$28.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDElegant Lace Corset Cut Out Lace Mermaid Prom Dress with Cap Sleeves
$157.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
ZEAGOOFlowy Cut Out Halter Neck Long Dress 3D Flower Chiffon Ruffle Frill Trim Puffy Swing Dress - Pink / L(8-10)
$45.99 ZEAGOO
GODDIVACity Goddess Faux Leather Cut Out Sheath Midi Dress
$29.00 GODDIVA
THE LUXURY CLOSETSelf-Portrait Green Chiffon Cut Out Mini Dress
$367.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
FARMRIODark Blue Cut-Out Short Sleeve Maxi Dress, DARK BLUE
$170.00 FARMRIO
UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAMCut Out Waist Ruffle Hem Puff Sleeves Fit Dress
$49.50 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Stunning Off The Shoulder Lace Cut Out Corset Long Mermaid Prom Dress Slit
$166.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
FARMRIOOff-White Graphic Ainika Cut-Out Hearts Mini Dress, GRAPHIC AINIKA WINTER WHITE
$348.00 FARMRIO
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDUnique 3D Floral Lace Corset Cut Out Sweetheart rom Dress Illusion Bodice Satin Mermaid Gown - dark-navy
$141.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HARVEY NICHOLS USSimkhai Katharine Embellished Cut-out Mini Dress - Black
$837.21 HARVEY NICHOLS US
W CONCEPT (US)DA Back Cut-out Dress
$244.00 W CONCEPT (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDUnique 3D Floral Lace Corset Cut Out Sweetheart rom Dress Illusion Bodice Satin Mermaid Gown - black
$141.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
FARMRIOGreen Anthurium Leaves Cut-Out Midi Dress, ANTURIUM LEAVES GREEN
$248.00 FARMRIO
W CONCEPT (US)Reversable Open Back Cut-out Dress (Black)
$174.00 W CONCEPT (US)
EGO (US & CA)Cut Out Strappy Underwired Detail Drape Front Mini Dress In Brown, Women's Size US
$49.00 EGO (US & CA)
HARVEY NICHOLS USAkyn Cut-out Stretch-cotton Gauze Midi Dress - Navy - S (UK8-10 / S)
$759.93 HARVEY NICHOLS US
HARVEY NICHOLS USJoseph Hills Cut-out Crepe Midi Dress - Dark Pink - 38 (UK10 / S)
$701.97 HARVEY NICHOLS US
EGO (US & CA)Sleeveless Cut Out Twist Front Detail Maxi Dress In Black, Women's Size US
$34.00 EGO (US & CA)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Sexy Cut Out Lace A-line Gown Corset Party Prom Dress
$157.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
FARMRIOOff-White Porcelain Garden Cut-Out Midi Dress, PORCELAIN GARDEN OFF
$298.00 FARMRIO
EGO (US & CA)Long Sleeve Keyhole Cut Out Skater Mini Dress In Gold Sequin, Women's Size US
$45.00 EGO (US & CA)
EGO (US & CA)Long Sleeve Shoulder Pad Cut Out Trim Detail Maxi Dress In Black, Women's Size US
$42.00 EGO (US & CA)
EGO (US & CA)High Neck Asymmetric Sleeve Cut Out Ruched Mini Dress In Brown Slinky, Women's Size US
$45.00 EGO (US & CA)
RENT THE RUNWAYRonny Kobo x RTR Cut Out Mini Dress Red-print
$52.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
HARVEY NICHOLS USCoperni Twisted Cut-out Stretch-jersey Mini Dress - Black
$476.56 HARVEY NICHOLS US
EGO (US & CA)Scoop Neck Cut Out Panel Detail Maxi Dress In Burgundy, Women's Size US
$29.00 EGO (US & CA)
W CONCEPT (US)Cut-Out Pocket Slit Mini Dress
$202.00 W CONCEPT (US)
W CONCEPT (US)Back Point Cut Out Dress (Black)
$201.00 W CONCEPT (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva Cut Out Faux Leather Mini Dress
$49.00 GODDIVA
UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAMUnique Kulture Ladra Metallic Fantasy Wedge Heel Sandals – Cut-Out Dress Shoes
$80.00 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM
HARVEY NICHOLS USChristopher Esber Infinity Cut-out Jersey Maxi Dress - Black - 36 (UK8 / S)
$933.81 HARVEY NICHOLS US
RENT THE RUNWAYEudon Choi x RTR Shoulder Cut Out Knit Dress Black
$38.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
EGO (US & CA)Long Sleeve Cut Out Ruched Detail Maxi Dress In Red, Women's Size US
$39.00 EGO (US & CA)
FARMRIOPink Floral Delhi Tapestry Scallop Cut-Out Mini Dress, FLORAL DELHI TAPESTRY LIGHT PINK
$280.00 FARMRIO
THE LUXURY CLOSETDavid Koma Black Crepe Cut-Out Long Dress
$546.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
−83%
DTLR-VILLAEd Hardy Heart Wings Cut-Out Tank Dress$58.71
$9.98 DTLR-VILLA
−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
−25%
IFCHICJacquemus Mistral Fluid Viscose Jersey Boat Neck Cut-Out Mini Dress$850.00
$637.50 IFCHIC
