This Once-Hated Dress Trend Is Suddenly All I Care About

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(Image credit: @endlesslyloveclub)

If 2023 has taught me anything thus far, it's to never say never. At the start of the year, I suddenly came around to the idea of wearing voluminous full skirts, something I would have never been caught dead in before. Now that summer dressing is on my mind, there's another surprising style bubbling up, and it's making me question everything I thought I knew. All of a sudden, I'm seeing fit-and-flare dresses start to trend, and for once, I'm not opposed to the idea of wearing one. In fact, I've seen so many chic options that I've officially removed them from the list of things that are banned from my closet.

I'll admit it—I was once a hater of fit-and-flare dresses. The fitted waist and full skirt just felt too sweet for my personal style, yet here I am, writing my apology letter to the style. If you're wondering, "But why now?" the answer has to do with the new wave of fit-and-flare dresses I'm noticing. Instead of having volume on both the top and bottom, balanced only by a nipped-in waist, the styles on deck for 2023 offer a refined update with a completely fitted bodice and full skirt. Some of the standout dresses even qualify as drop-waist styles, another current favorite of mine. In other words, the styles you're about to see are streamlined, minimal, and very chic.

Ahead, scroll through to shop the best fit-and-flare dresses of summer 2023 and glean some outfit inspiration along the way.

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This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Up next, see the seven major shoe trends of summer 2023.

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews withBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.