Trendy off-the-shoulder dresses are a versatile outfit for striking looks

A dress is a special, multifaceted wardrobe item that allows any representative of the fair sex to appear modest and feminine, daring and sexy, mysterious and luxurious. This is an outfit that is appropriate for any occasion - city walks, business meetings, romantic dates, social events, especially since the variety of models and styles makes it possible to experiment, trying on different roles. The trend of recent seasons is a dress with open shoulders, which is deservedly considered the embodiment of seductive elegance. The reasons for the popularity of this model are simple: it allows you to create an original image for any occasion, emphasize individuality, and profitably adjust the silhouette. But when trying on such a style, it is very important not to overload the outfit so that it does not look vulgar and aggressive.

Features of the cut

Dresses that beautifully bare the shoulders were popular back in the 18th century. Fluffy multi-layered skirts, tight corsets, wasp waists, and revealing necklines were the main attributes of court fashion. The style was given a second life in the 1950s by Spanish fashion designer Cristobal Balenciaga, who is known as the creator of other original models - a sack dress or a coat without buttons. The designer removed unnecessary pathos from dresses with bare shoulders, making them simpler and more elegant. An interesting idea was improved by couturier Christian Dior - his models conquered with sophistication and were perceived as outfits for red carpets and evening gala events. Many years later, the range of dresses with bare shoulders expanded, and other famous designers began to use them. Gradually, the style was transformed, becoming widespread among everyday models.

The off-the-shoulder dress comes in many variations:

• with straps;
• with frills;
• with sleeves - short or long;
• with completely bare shoulders (bustier dress);
• in asymmetry.

The neckline shape also varies – boat-shaped, sweetheart-shaped, V-shaped, straight. Depending on the occasion for which the outfit is chosen, it is worth paying attention to the following models:

• casual summer look - a light dress with ruffles on the shoulders;
• a romantic look for a walk or a date – in boho or peasant style;
• party outfit - new look dress;
• office option - knee-length sheath;
• Evening dresses with open shoulders - long to the floor or medium length, narrow or with a full skirt, elegant drapery.

Formal dresses with open shoulders will definitely attract attention and make their owner more graceful.

What figure is it suitable for?

Off-the-shoulder dresses can flatter almost any figure. They visually stretch the neck, draw attention to the seductive curve of the shoulder and the neckline. The main thing is to choose the right model and place accents. Dress options for different body types:

1. Hourglass. Most styles that flatter the waist and bust suit owners of this shape.
2. Triangle, pear. Open shoulders are a godsend for this figure. The model visually expands the upper part of the body, balancing the entire silhouette. You can choose styles with open shoulders and sleeves, flounces, drapery. In this case, it is advisable to give preference to straight-cut items. If the hips and legs are large, the length should be midi or maxi. The waist is emphasized with a belt.
3. Inverted triangle. This type of figure is characterized by a wide top and narrow hips. A style that reveals the shoulders will only add volume and massiveness. To balance the silhouette, you can use one-shoulder dresses or dresses with a V-neck (visually reduces the shoulders, shifts the emphasis to the neckline), a lush or flared bottom (adds volume to the hips).
4. Rectangle. A silhouette characterized by an undefined waist, easily adjusted with a belt, adding volume at the top and bottom (light frills, drapery).
5. Apple. In this case, it is necessary to shift the emphasis from the waist to the chest, for this you can use an empire-style model (with a high waist, a bell-shaped skirt), provided that the legs are slender. If the legs and hips are full, an excellent choice is a Greek-style dress (the shoulders are bare, the skirt is loose and flowing, the waist is high). The length is floor-length or midi.

It is strongly not recommended to wear a dress decorated with straps, flounces, and large sleeves for a girl with broad shoulders.

Slender, tall women will suit styles of different lengths and textures. Slender, short girls are not recommended to wear long dresses with very voluminous bottoms - they make the silhouette heavier, visually making the height even smaller. Women who are prone to being overweight should be careful in choosing an outfit - it is recommended to avoid tight-fitting silhouettes, voluminous draperies, and fluffy skirts. It is better to choose a dress for the overweight with open shoulders in the Greek style or a product decorated with a wide, light cape (frill), it should frame the shoulder line, cover the arms, and reach the waist, emphasized by a belt. The bottom should be flowing, loose, and floor-length.

It is important to pay attention to the skin in the neck, shoulders, and décolleté area. If age-related changes are noticeable, it is better to avoid revealing outfits. You can opt for a delicate boat neckline covered with a light mesh.

Popular models and styles

Off-the-shoulder dresses are available in casual, romantic and evening options. The most interesting of them are:

1. With flounces. Dresses with gathers on the shoulders are always romantic and feminine. These can be light summer models or outfits for walks of various lengths, but necessarily loose-fitting. Cocktail and evening options decorated with flounces look beautiful and original, which add sophistication to the image, making it unique. Drapery can be varied - light, multi-tiered, wide, narrow, corrugated. For evening dresses, frills made of dense fabric are used, which holds its shape well. A dress with a lace cape flounce looks beautiful and gentle.
2. On a wide elastic band. A romantic model that is easy to use due to reliable fixation along the shoulder line and waist. Used in boho styles (a loose dress made of light fabric, exposing the shoulders, with wide sleeves) or peasant. An elegant, without unnecessary decor, long dress with an elastic band is a good option for an evening outfit. The short model is suitable for walks or parties. A wide range of dresses of this style is presented in the collections of the Chinese brand Artka.
3. With sleeves. This category amazes with its diversity. A delicate dress with open shoulders and short sleeves in the form of lanterns, bells or flounces makes the image playful and flirty. Narrow or flared, long or short - sleeves perfectly complement an evening outfit, giving it sophistication and charm. A dress with a narrowed sleeve, a neat boat-shaped neckline looks very elegant - it hides some skin imperfections, beautifully emphasizes the curves of the silhouette. The image with sleeves made of lace, guipure, light mesh becomes mysterious and solemn. Such models are often presented in the Dolce & Gabbana collections.
4. Straight. A universal dress cut that suits all body types. Correctly placed accents, a successful neckline, and an optimal length allow you to use this style as a casual, business, or evening option.
5. Loose. Short dresses with open shoulders and a loose cut are a great option for young girls with a slim build.
6. Fitted. This model emphasizes all the advantages and disadvantages of the figure. A fitted style with bare shoulders is not only an evening outfit. A sheath dress with a shallow neckline, complemented by a jacket or blazer, is an excellent office option.
7. With straps. The straps have a functional and decorative function. They can be narrow, wide, intertwined on the chest or connected behind the neck. An original idea is dropped straps that act as a sleeve.
8. One shoulder. Fashionable and spectacular. Only one shoulder is bare, the other is decorated with straps, a frill or a sleeve.

The main styles of dresses with open shoulders are:

1. In the Greek style. Beautiful and romantic – the shoulders are completely open, the waist is high, the skirt is light, multi-layered, flowing. The image is complemented by neat drapery on the bodice or a contrasting thin belt.
2. With one sleeve. Extravagant and stylish – dresses with open shoulders and sleeves are always memorable, stand out among other outfits. The single sleeve can be short, similar to a wide strap, or long. The top is often decorated with a frill or mesh.
3. With drapes. This element adds elegance to the image. Light gathers look beautiful on the bodice, especially if it is made with a wrap. For more formal occasions, the skirt is draped.
4. Mermaid. A popular style in which a narrow floor-length skirt flares out sharply towards the bottom. A great option for a wedding look or a prom dress.
5. Tight top, voluminous bottom. This combination, typical of the retro style, is often used today. Voluminous multi-layered skirts with tulle, knee-length or slightly lower, a top that follows the silhouette, and a sensual neckline – this combination looks impressive and beautiful. A modern variation of the retro style was Christian Dior's new look – a tight top and a wide bell-shaped skirt.

The "shirt" model with straps or a collar is popular today. A dress for a girl with open shoulders is often sewn in this version.

Materials of manufacture and length

The most common materials for creating off-the-shoulder dresses are cotton, linen, lace, chiffon, jersey, denim, velvet, velour. Depending on the style, fabrics are used as follows:

• linen, cotton and chiffon – for light summer looks, casual or walking outfits;
• knitwear – for discreet office and warm everyday dresses;
• velvet, velour – for evening and business wear for the cold season;
• silk, satin – for exquisite formal wear;
• lace, guipure – for decorating evening and romantic style items;
• Denim is a versatile material that is inappropriate only for evening and formal wear.

The length also affects the integrity and harmony of the created bow:

1. Mini can only be used by slim girls. A popular option is to wear a short loose dress as a tunic.
2. Maxi is a good choice for tall girls. Short girls are advised to wear long dresses with a narrow skirt to visually stretch the silhouette.
3. Midi is a universal length that can correct any figure.

A dress with a cape is an exclusively evening option, so it will look most harmonious in maximum length.

Current colors

The color range of dresses is quite wide, the color depends on the style and season:

1. Black. A classic option for evening and business looks. The office dress code can be played up with a contrasting jacket or scarf. A black evening dress with open shoulders is best emphasized with an elegant decoration.
2. White. Used to create evening, business looks, but goes especially well with the summer version.
3. Beige. A universal elegant color. An outfit in this tone requires additional bright accents.
4. Red. Will make the image bright and juicy. To prevent the outfit from seeming aggressive, it should be softened with accessories in calm tones, for example, a clutch, a cape. A “bold” evening dress to the floor with dropped shoulders and a bare back, made in red, looks original and elegant.
5. Pastel colors (blue, peach, coffee, powder, smoky) make the image light. Suitable for women of any age.
6. Bright colors (yellow, green, blue, pink) add freshness and richness to the image. Recommended for young girls.
7. Deep colors (emerald, burgundy, cobalt, olive) are a great option for mature women.

The prints used on the dress also play an important role, but it is important not to overload the image:

1. Printed patterns. Most often made in the form of flowers, used in evening dresses.
2. Stripe. A trendy print for several seasons: horizontal – widens the silhouette, vertical – stretches.
3. Polka dots. This pattern is preferred by calm, romantic natures.
4. Leopard. An option for bold, extraordinary personalities. Such an outfit cannot be complemented with accessories.
5. Ethnic motifs. The pattern has become relevant recently, but is gaining more and more popularity.

Red off-the-shoulder dresses are very demanding in terms of accessories and jewelry. Makeup should also be perfectly matched. The main rules are moderation and balance.

What to wear with

In order to create a complete image, it is necessary to competently combine the original style with other things. The model and style of the outfit will help to determine what to wear with an off-shoulder dress.

Options for combining with shoes:

1. For a summer beach dress you need to choose low-heeled sandals.
2. Cowboy boots or ankle boots without heels will go perfectly with a short, light boho dress.
3. For everyday straight or tight-fitting styles – ballet flats, slip-ons, sneakers, half-boots.
4. For an evening, cocktail or office look - a classic pump with an elegant heel.

Often dresses that bare the shoulders are complemented by other clothes. Bright examples of combinations:

1. For a light option (peasant, boho, with frills) you can choose a loose denim jacket or a leather biker jacket. A wide-brimmed hat will complete the set.
2. Short tunic dresses can be combined with jeans or leggings, cardigans with or without sleeves.
3. An office dress should be complemented with a classic jacket.
4. The evening look is combined with a bolero, a summer coat. A cape on the shoulders looks especially elegant with an evening dress - it can be warm or lace, cover only the shoulders or fall below the waist.
5. When wearing dresses for every day, you can cover your neck and shoulders with a light stole or scarf, which will add charm and complete the look.

As for bags, designers offer the following solutions:

1. A voluminous shopper-type model will suit everyday walking sets; it would be good if it was made in a bright color.
2. For evening and business looks, it is better to choose small bags or clutches (possibly on a chain) in contrasting colors. If the outfit is bright and provocative, a calm, neutral bag will make it softer, and vice versa.

Accessories for an off-the-shoulder dress should be harmonious. The main rule is no excesses. The style of the dress itself is quite flashy, attracts attention, so extra decor can upset the balance, make the image ridiculous. The only option that involves an abundance of jewelry is the boho style.

Jewelry for an off-the-shoulder dress should be selected based on the style:

1. A casual or summer option should be complemented with bracelets or large earrings.
2. Large wooden beads will suit the ethnic style.
3. Elegant earrings or a necklace are chosen to match an evening outfit.

It is not recommended to wear a necklace under a dress decorated with straps.

A romantic look can be complemented with loose hair, light curls, an evening and business look - with gathered, raised hair. A Greek-style hairstyle looks interesting. The only thing that absolutely does not go with such an outfit is unnaturally voluminous styling.

An off-the-shoulder dress is the embodiment of femininity, seductiveness, and charm. It is chosen by extraordinary women who are not afraid to be bright and to be the center of attention. By skillfully playing with and complementing the dress, you can create an incredibly beautiful, stylish look.

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