It feels like only yesterday that we saw out the end of party season by celebrating the start of 2024, and just like that Christmas has rolled around again. Don't get me wrong, I love the festive season, but as soon as my social calendar starts filling up, my mind struggles to think past the obvious options of little black dresses and sequins, and this year I've been looking for something different. Given just how heavily my everyday wardrobe relies on skirts, trousers and jeans, dresses tend to be the reserve of very special occasions. Some dresses, however, are unsung heroes, quietly superior to the rest and there is one trend in particular that has been picking up in popularity over the last year and is guaranteed to be a smash hit this party season.
Look to the spring/summer and autumn/winter 2024 runways and you'll spot the reoccurring languid, luxurious draped dress. I can still remember sitting in the TOVE show last September and being mesmerised by the Greek goddess-ness of the figure enhancing silhouettes—wrapping around waists and loose in all the right places. Over at Supriya Lele, Aaron Esh and Alaïa, gathered mesh created peek-a-boo layers, and looking ahead to 2025, 16Arlington and Brandon Maxwell continue to make heroes of high-necked long-sleeved drapery. So, if you're looking for a dress every bit as comfortable as it is classy, you just found it.
The added appeal of this dress is that it requires minimal effort to style. Other Stories chocolate brown midi dress is perfect for the office with a knee high boot and a boxy blazer, and on the other end of the spectrum Khaite's one shoulder dress would look impeccable with a heeled court shoe and statement jewellery for evening. With no need to worry about over accessorising and clingy fits, I'm convinced that the draped dress is the effortlessly elegant trend we've been waiting for, and should you be wondering how the style set are wearing theirs now, keep scrolling to see and shop the very best draped dresses for 2024.
How Celebrities Are Wearing Draped Dresses
Style Notes: If anyone knows their way around a good dress, it's Victoria Beckham, and her halterneck midi ticks off two trends at once: blush pink and drapery.
Style Notes: Little black dress? Riley Keogh prefers the long white dress for day-to-night dressing, and keeping the accessories simple lets the dress speak for itself.
Style Notes: Draped dresses come in all styles and shapes, but we particularly love Laura Harrier's strapless dress from The Row that looks like a classical sculpture brought to life.
Style Notes: One shouldered and an asymmetric hem? Selena Gomez's red carpet dress manages to be both dramatic and understated thanks to some clever draping.
How Influencers Are Wearing Draped dresses
Style Notes: I don't know what I love more about Hannah's dress: the subtle off-the-shoulder moment or that fiery shade of red.
Style Notes: Did we mention that this chic trend is also perfect for timeless wedding gowns too?
Style Notes: Prepare to see a lot of styes on the market that echo Marisa Martins' Ninety Percent dress. Chocolate brown is having a moment right now, and it lends itself particularly well to this cut.
Style Notes: If this isn't a lesson in how to make draped dresses work for party season I don't know what is. The satin! The mesh! The gloves! This whole looks scores tens across the board.
Shop the Best Draped Dresses 2024
Ninety Percent are experts in draped jersey dresses that look a million dollars.
Currently in the sale at an even better price.
This khaki-gold is such a unique shade.
I cant believe this is under £20.
We'd expect nothing less from the likes of Sienna Miller.
So good with a knee-high boot.
Once again, H&M's offerings look far more expensive than their price tag.
Your next formal event, sorted.
I have a feeling this would look good on every body.
The bubble hem isn't going anywhere either.
Act fast, there's only a few of these left in stock.
I'm impressed by how well this works with flats.
You can never go wrong with burgundy.
One for desk-to-dinner.
Expect to see much more of blush pink in 2025.
Once again, hot red steals the show.
This also comes in burgundy and rust.
Honestly? This feels red-carpet ready.
If you've got a formal wedding dress code to meet, this is a great place to start.
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