In a striking departure from the high-waisted silhouettes that dominated recent seasons, drop-waist dresses have emerged as the standout style for summer 2024. This captivating trend was prominently featured on the runways of renowned designers, with models at Loewe and Alaïa showcasing trousers with ribcage-skimming pockets and barrel-leg pants cut just below the chest.
However, the news in dresses is decidedly different, as drop-waist designs have taken center stage. Jil Sander’s collection presented an array of drop-waist dresses featuring ribbed tank top uppers and full skirts, while 16Arlington’s fall/winter 2024 show showcased sheer turtleneck tops paired with scalloped waistbands. Ferragamo’s Look 53 exemplified the trend with a fitted bodice and pleated skirt.
Jonathan Anderson also embraced the drop-waist silhouette in his autumn/winter collection, opening the show with a series of maxi dresses adorned with low, hip-skimming skirts and giant buckled belt adornments. The trend has also found expression in sporty takes on the drop-waist silhouette, as exemplified by Zendaya’s custom, crystal-swathed Loewe tennis dress for a film’s photo call in Milan. Her stylist, Law Roach, also curated a bespoke, drop-waist Thom Browne dress—complete with a polo collar and racket appliqué—for her appearance at the London premiere.
Contributing beauty editor Tish Weinstock has enthusiastically embraced the drop-waist trend, moving away from the ’90s and Y2K styles that have recently dominated fashion in favor of pieces reminiscent of the 1920s and ’30s. She diligently scours eBay, Vinted, and Etsy in search of vintage treasures from bygone eras.
To provide some inspiration for your own drop-waist wardrobe, here is a curated selection of the best options currently available:
1. 16Arlington Vezile Pleated Cotton-Poplin Midi-Dress, $1,134 at Net-a-porter
2. Alaïa cotton poplin midi dress, $2,594 at Mytheresa
3. Cecile Bahnsen White Ruth midi dress, $1,073 at Ssense
4. Christopher Esber fusion jersey and gathered crepe maxi dress, $827.16 at Net-a-porter
5. COS drop-waist gathered tank dress, $328.55 at Another Tomorrow
6. Vintage sheer dress, $261.92 at Etsy
7. Free People low-back midi-dress, $129 at Free People
8. Jil Sander drop-waist full-skirt dress, $4,910.80 at Farfetch
9. Khaite Romee open-back draped merino wool maxi dress, $5,480 at Net-a-porter
10. Matteu gathered drop waist dress, $798.54 at Browns
11. Nicklas Skovgaard Ssense Exclusive white Audrey maxi dress, $1,792 at Ssense
12. Proenza Schouler White Label drop-waist cotton maxi dress, $890.87 at Farfetch
13. Reformation stretch organic-cotton maxi dress, $366.30 at Selfridges
14. Sandy Liang red cricket midi dress, $1,628.70 at Ssense
15. Simkhai Kenlie Taffeta-trimmed midi-dress, $1,352.79 at Mytheresa
16. Tove Solene cotton-blend midi dress, $660.85 at Mytheresa
17. Ganni sleeveless mini dress, $387.73 at Farfetch
With this diverse range of drop-waist dresses available, there’s sure to be a perfect option for every taste and occasion, allowing you to effortlessly embrace the latest fashion trend.
