Last Updated on January 31, 2025 by Eve Dawes
How to wear bandage dresses & the 50 best luxe for less and designer bandage dresses we’re wearing right now
Bandage dresses are one of those pieces most of us have hanging in our closets but are they in style this year? Bandage dresses are nothing new. They’ve been around since the early nineties and reached their peak from 2007-2011 with Hervé Léger bandage dress leading the way. But form fitting styles from bodycon dresses to designer bandage dresses, colorful to black bandage dresses were seen all over the Spring Summer runways. How you style them and the fit is everything though. So keep scrolling to make sure your outfits a do and not a don’t.
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Don’t believe me, Vogue is preparing us for the return of the bandage dress too. If you’re not sure if bandage dresses are for you anymore, swap them out for flattering bodycon dresses in less clingy fabrics that are bang on trend this year.
Whether it’s a Hervé Léger bandage dress or luxe for less style, white, red or black bandage dress. It’s all about the material and what makes you feel confidently beautiful.
Since April 2021, search interest for Hervé Léger dresses increased 74% and search interest for bandage dresses increased 49%.
Vogue
Are bandage dresses in style this year
Bandage dresses AKA bodycon dresses are still in style right now and one of those styles that don’t really go in and out of fashion. They’re more of a classic a wardrobe staple that can look fresh by changing up your shoes, bags and accessories or looking for more modern detailing like cut outs, sheer panels, asymmetrical necklines and fringing.
However, bodycon dresses are a major trend this year, along with a lot of other 90’s and Y2K trends and they don’t have to be bandage style. It’s such a flattering style that it’s no wonder we’re not willing to let this sleek silhouette making dress go anywhere.
Long live the bandage dress!
Is more expensive actually better?
Obviously designer bandage dresses are going to the most flattering like Herve Leger bandage dresses as the materials better quality and they hold everything in more. However, it’s all about the fit and the material.
Bad material just looks cheap and unflattering but there are great luxe for less brand options.
The bandage dresses to wear this year
For the most on trend iterations of the bandage dresses look for cut outs, off the shoulder styles, sheer overlays, fringing and even 2 piece bandage top and skirt sets. Don’t just think knit, lots of other materials work for the bodycon trend, the most improtant this is it’s form fitting.
I wore Herve Leger bandage dresses a ton in the 00’s, especially when I lived in LA. As they always had such great sales in their boutique on Rodeo drive. They’re truly a classic style that’s here to stay.
It doesn’t have to be a dress, bandage skirt sets are another way to wear this trend and are great for creating more outfits by mixing and matching separates and layering for different seasons.
Designer Bandage Dresses
Material is everything when it comes to any formfitting dress especially bandage dresses or satin. The better the quality, the more flattering it’s going to be. So I definitely recommend going for the best of whatever’s in budget even if that’s not a designer bandage dress or skirt set.
The better the material, the more it will sculpt and support you in all the right places without bunching in all of the wrong places or being see-through. Especially when it comes to white bandage dresses.
The designer bandage dresses I’ve picked up below are absolutely stunning. From trending cut outs to bralette and skirt sets. Crop tops are staying around for at least the next couple of seasons so a bandage crop top and skirt set with a cardigan or blazer is an on trend to wear this look.
There’s obviously lots of Herve Leger bandage dresses and sets in this edit as they’re the brand who really pioneered this look as well as other designers like Karen Millen.
Best bandage dresses under $200
The body hugging styles under $200 in the edit below include both bodycon dresses as well as some affordable top and skirt sets. Some of my favorites are the on trend red bandage dress with fringing, a super sexy head turning black bandage dress with cut outs and an on trend pale pink skirt set that’s on sale.
Karen Millen has some gorgeous bodycon dress styles but because they’re on sale they’re selling out fast.
Shop luxe for less to designer bandage dresses
From ASOS to Herve Leger and Balmain, here’s what’s hot right now.
How to style bandage dresses
For the most on trend looks, it’s all about wearing the bandage dress in your own way and making sure it fits. Find a way of styling it that works for you and your lifestyle. When it comes to how to style a bodycon or bandage dress they’re more versatile than you might think. The main thing is to make sure it fits and looks classy versus being too small or too revealing.
A quick and easy way to keep the look up to date and fresh is the shoes and accessories you style it with. Whether that’s loafers, slides or booties for the day or platforms, slingbacks, stiletto pumps or sleek strappy sandals for the evening.
In past decades, the bandage dress styling was all about lots of leg and strappy heels. Which is still how I like to wear them. While that still works with the right shoes and accessories, the way to style bandage dresses this year is more about whatever makes you feel your best.
So grab your ballerina flats for a more comfortable everyday look or killer platform heels for a night out. Yes, platform heels are still in style! Don’t forget a seamless g-string for a VPL free look.
To keep your bandage dress on rotation during the cooler months or for more modesty add a chic blazer or jacket. For a more casual look, try styling it with a denim jacket and sneakers. For an edgier look try styling it with a leather jacket.
The do’s and don’ts of wearing a bodycon dress
Obviously fashion’s personal and these do’s and don’ts of wearing a bodycon or bandage dress are just a guideline to help you look your best, but you do you. Hopefully these do’s and don’ts and simple fashion tips, will help you feel the most confident and ensure the looks current and not dated.
- Make sure it fits. If it’s too small you’ll look like a sausage and be spilling out. If it’s too big you’ll lose the whole bodycon, flattering effect of the dress.
- Make sure you don’t have VPL or bra lines but choosing the right undergarments. Think a nude V-string thong and nipple coverups rather than full booty pants or a heavy bra. The material should be supportive enough to not need one. If you really need to wear a bra make sure it’s smooth and seamless to help create that sleek and chic silhouette.
- Wear them with confidence. These dresses really don’t work when you’re slouching. They and you really look their best when you’re standing with good posture and rocking the dress with confidence.
- Find a color and cut that suits you. While trends come and go the most important thing is that the color and cut of the dress suits you and that you feel confident in it.
Celebrities wearing bandage dresses
The bandage dress has always been a celebrity favorite from the 90’s to 00’s to recent sightings which include:
- Cindy Crawford
- Eva Herzigova
- Kim Kardashian
- Dita Von Teese
- Katy Perry
- Rachel Weisz
- Kate Winslet
- Jennifer Love Hewitt
- Taylor Swift
- Nicole Kidman
- Jessica Chastain
- Lindsay Lohan
- Bar Refaeli
- Alessandra Ambrosio
- Cate Blanchett
- Victoria Beckham
- Miranda Kerr
More recent celebrities wearing bandage dresses include Cara Delevingne in a super sexy black cutout bandage dress at the 75th Cannes Cannes Film Festival. Jane Seymour in a classic and glamourous gold bandage dress. Dua Lipa in a black bandage dress with mesh accents styled with lots of gold jewelry and Hannah Waddingham in a curve hugging olive green midi bandage dress.
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