The 33 Best Cut-Out Dresses to Buy This Summer

Ever since the cut-out dress revival in the spring and summer of 2020, skin-bearing dresses have become the most coveted statement piece of the summer. The trend dates back to the ’60s, when Diana Rigg donned the infamous cut-out jumpsuit in The Avengers. It then funnelled into the ’90s as a playful addition to liberal, slinky dresses.

What re-emerged on the runway as an editorial look is now gracing e-commerce sites as a fresh take on summer eveningwear. Be it lower-than-average scooped backs, perforated side holes or centrally aligned keyhole detailing, the prevalence of cut-outs can’t be escaped. The design brings an edgy look to flirty frocks and transforms typical summer ensembles into contemporary styles with one or two mere punctures. There’s no one-size-fits-all, either. The cut-out trend comes in a host of variations, from barely-there crevices (no wider than a bra strap) to exposed side panels to O-shaped holes.