As the last of the warm weather lingers, our urge to slip into a flirty little dress while we still can has never been stronger. And in 2024, one silhouette has risen through the ranks to occupy pride of place in our new season wardrobes: the drop waist dress.
While hemlines typically rise in accordance with the temperature, the drop waist dress du jour is following a different trend, with a contoured bodice that hits just below the hips, and gives way to a billowing, floor-skimming skirt.
Fashion is nothing if not cyclical, and the style of the moment takes its cues from the 1920s, when curve-skimming, tubular dresses – emphasised by a waist band that grazed lower on the hips – were all the rage. Now, a whole century later, the drop-waist silhouette is staging a comeback, cropping up on runways most recently at the Chanel and Miu Miu Autumn Winter 2026 collections, and filtering through to our wardrobes courtesy of brands like Musier Paris, St Agni, and Matteau.
It’s perfect timing, really. Here in Australia, the last days of summer Summer, couple with event season, means our social schedules are peppered with events that call for elegant cocktail ensembles. Our solution to deciphering the dress code? The drop waist dress. The longer hemline and contoured silhouette meets the mark for dressier occasions, with the addition of a low heel and some great jewellery. And for daytime occasions, dress your look down with simple sandals (like these ones, by A Emery) and minimal makeup.
Below, get acquainted with the style of the moment with ten drop waist dresses we’re eyeing up in 2024.
1. Matteau Gathered Drop Waist Dress
2. Anna Quan Gisele Dress
3. Faithfull Lia Maxi Dress Valentina Broderie Black
4. St Agni Silk Handkerchief Halter Dress
5. Maison Essentiele Buckle Dress
6. SWF x Revolve Drop Waist Dress
7. Amiya Eden Dress
8. Shona Joy Juno Gathered Bodice Maxi Dress
9. Christopher Esber Orion Gown
10. Helsa Maddison Maxi Knit Dress
11. STAUD Ari Mini Dress
12. Bec and Bridge Camille Blouson Dress
13. De La Vali Aidana Maxi Dress
14. Alemais Alberta Scarf Midi Dress
15. Viktora & Woods Endearing Dress
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