I'm Obsessed With This Dress Trend—and It Literally Suits Everyone

Isn't it lovely when a major trend comes around and appears to genuinely suit everyone? That idea is thrown around a lot in the fashion industry. For example, I'm always told wrap dresses should look good on me because they're supposedly universally flattering, but they really don't work with my figure. Occasionally, though, something magical comes along and really does live up to the hype.

One such wardrobe winner is this year's batch of shirred dresses. Don't know what shirring means? Let me explain: It's when a fabric has many horizontal lines of thin elastic thread stitched into it in order to draw the fabric together and create a stretchy, flattering panel that will snugly fit waists but happily expand over boobs, tummies, bottoms, and more. It's like body-con but bohemian, and it looks seriously good on everyone—not to mention it's comfy.

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

One of my favorite shirred dresses—a style from Rhode Resort from last year.

Such is its sudden presence on the scene. There are already multiple beloved frocks featuring this modern kind of smocking. Some are super affordable (like a leopard-print maxi from ASOS) whilst others take the trend to a more extreme, experimental, and expensive end of the spectrum. (I'm looking at you, sold-out Totême midi.) But what they all share in common is that they love your body—no matter how you feel about it. And for that, during the summer months, I am eternally grateful. Keep scrolling to shop the shirred dresses with fan clubs forming, and then carry on with the best of the rest.

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Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief ofBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK. Hannah has been part of the theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.