What is a wrap dress?
A wrap dress crosses over at the front and ties at the waist, so you get a V neck and a fit you can adjust. In jersey it's a work and weekend hero. In crepe or silk it goes to weddings and dinners. Sit down in it before you buy to check the neckline stays put.
When to wear a wrap dress
Wear it to
Who it suits
Works on you if you want a defined waist you can adjust on the day
Works on you if you like a V neck that frames a necklace
Works on you if you want one dress that does the desk and dinner
Heads up if you hate checking your neckline: a faux wrap stays put
Heads up if it'll be windy: a true wrap skirt can open when you walk or sit
Heads up if the invite says black tie: most wraps read day or smart casual
How to style it
- Block heels or strappy sandals
- Leather flats or loafers for work
- Knee boots in winter
- A fitted blazer or cropped cardigan
- A small crossbody or clutch
- Fine jewellery that sits inside the V
- Avoid. A chunky belt over the tie
- Avoid. Long, bulky knits that cover the waist
- Avoid. Long necklaces that tangle in the cross over
How a wrap dress works
One front panel crosses over the other and ties at the waist, often through a small opening in the side. That cross over is what makes the V neck. Because you tie it yourself, you set the fit each time: a bit looser after a long lunch, a bit sharper for photos. Apparel Search calls the adjustable fit the style's big selling point.
A faux wrap looks the same but is sewn closed, usually with a zip or a pull on skirt. Less adjustable, much less fuss.
Where it came from
Wrapping clothes wasn't new. The Met's Costume Institute says the wrap's basic form was already "deeply embedded" in American sportswear. Then in the 1970s it became a sensation, after a designer's printed jersey wrap dress was produced in 1974. Soft, easy to pack and smart enough for work: that's still why people buy them.
Fabric by season
Jersey is the classic. It's a knit, so it stretches and moves with you, and cotton jersey breathes well on warm days. Crepe has a crinkled, textured surface and looks a touch dressier, which makes it the pick for weddings and the office. Silk and chiffon wraps are for evenings and hot weather events.
Australia and the US play it the same way, just at opposite ends of the year. Summer: light viscose or chiffon in a midi. Winter: heavier jersey with knee boots and a coat that doesn't hide the tie.
Gaping, and how to handle it
The most common wrap complaint is a neckline that gapes or slides open. By Hand London explains why: everyone's measurements differ between the upper chest, bust and waist, so a wrap rarely sits perfectly straight off the rack. Their fixes are for people who sew, but you've got easy wins in the change room too.
- Sit down in it. If the V opens when you sit, it'll open at the table.
- Tie it a little higher and firmer, which pulls the cross over closer.
- Use double sided fashion tape or a tiny safety pin inside the cross over.
- Wear a camisole underneath for more coverage.
- Choose a faux wrap or a higher V if you don't want to think about it at all.
Shop wrap dresses
See all wrap dressesCommon questions
How do you stop a wrap dress from gaping?
Tie it slightly higher and firmer, use fashion tape or a small safety pin inside the cross over, or wear a camisole under it. Sit down in the change room to check. If it still opens, a faux wrap is the easier choice.
What is the difference between a wrap dress and a faux wrap dress?
A true wrap crosses over and ties at the waist, so you control the fit. A faux wrap looks the same but is sewn closed, often with a zip. It's less adjustable but it stays put.
Can you wear a wrap dress to a wedding?
Yes. A midi wrap in crepe, silk or a polished print suits most day weddings. For black tie, go floor length in a dressy fabric, or pick a different style.
When did wrap dresses become popular?
Wrapping was already part of American sportswear, but the wrap dress became a sensation in the 1970s. A printed jersey version produced in 1974 is the one that made it famous.
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