This Might Be the Most Elegant Dress Trend, Well, Ever

There are tons of dress styles out there, from mini and maxi to sleeveless and long-sleeve, but what if I told you that one is available in all your favorite silhouettes? It's all about the neckline. Timeless boatneck pieces have been popping up everywhere, from tank tops to—you guessed it—dresses. There's just something about this specific neckline that adds a certain elegance to any look. It's no wonder Meghan Markle opted for one on her wedding day. You can find designs with this neckline in many dress forms, including column, A-line, and shift. Plus, the shape lends itself beautifully to statement pendants and choker necklaces.
To help you decide which to add to your wardrobe, I rounded up 29 of the best boatneck dresses, all guaranteed to elevate your winter rotation. The good news is that you can also wear a lot of these styles once spring comes around next year and beyond. It's a classic look that will stand the test of time season after season, so you'll want to snag one (or more!) of the below dresses. There are LBDs, zebra-printed numbers, and ribbed knits that you can incorporate into your closet now—no actual boat needed.

Lauren Adhav is a freelance fashion editor based in Los Angeles. Originally from Orlando, Florida, she got her start as the beauty and fashion editorial assistant at Cosmopolitan and worked her way up to fashion editor. She contributed to both the website and print issues, pitching new ideas, forecasting trends, covering red carpet events, and informing the overall coverage and brand voice.
After five years in NYC, she moved to Los Angeles. As a freelance fashion editor, she contributes to Cosmo, The Cut, and nowBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing . She also spends an unhealthy amount of time online shopping for the perfect piece, and now that she's in L.A., she's rediscovering her soft spot for malls.
-
I Officially Have a Zordy Closet—31 Zara andReplica Store Standouts That I'm Living In Straight Through Fall
Plus, chic fall 2025 outfit ideas that I plan on re-creating ASAP.
-
TheBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 100: Every Fall 2025 Item to Shop This Season
From affordable finds to worthy investments.
-
Fashion People With Good Taste Are Obsessed With These Trendy Denim Styles for Fall 2025
See the outfit inspo and shop the jeans.
-
FromReplica Store to Zara—Meet the New Fall Items That Will Sell Out By October 15
These finds don't stand a chance of making it to November.
-
Cool-Girl Fall Era Loading—31 Picks From Zara, J.Crew, and Gap That Fit the Bill
I'm a senior shopping editor and these have my stamp of approval.
-
Sorry to the Black Pieces in My Closet—I'm Obsessed With This Equally Chic, Classic Color for Fall
Fashion people from London to Paris agree.
-
Fine, I Won’t Gatekeep—These 27 Abercrombie Finds Are Too Chic to Miss (and They're All On Sale)
I can't decide which fall pick is my favorite.
-
I’m a Senior Shopping Editor—These 29 On-SaleReplica Store Basics Are Instant Closet Staples
Bring on chic, effortless fall outfits.