We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
15 gorgeous cut-out dresses to wear all summer long
From slinky bodycon numbers to beautiful boho picks😍
The sun is out, temps are rising and Aperol is officially on the menu, which means one thing: cut-out dresses are back and better than ever. Cut-out designs have dominated the fashion world for, like, forever and show no signs of letting up anytime soon. From the red carpet to celebrity Instagrams and even the high street, they’re the summer dress style that’s everywhere.
Shop our favourite cut-out dresses
While talk of the style might give you flashbacks of your fish bowls and block-heeled stilettos era (yikes), cut-out styles can absolutely be classy. Don’t believe us? Everyone from Meghan Sussex to Kate Middleton has been spotted wearing one, so if it’s good enough for the royals, it’s defo good enough for us.
Not entirely sure if a cutout style is for you? One of the best things about the cut-out dress is its versatility. Gone are the days where these dresses are strictly bodycon or mini in length. There are plenty of boho, maxi and alternative designs on the market now, too. The real trouble will come when trying to choose just one...
Whether you’re searching for something floaty to create a cute festival outfit, a timeless piece to add to your capsule wardrobe, or a wedding guest dress that turns heads, keep scrolling for our pick of the best cut-out dresses on the market RN...
Starting off very demure and very mindful, this floral print maxi dress is a dreamy pick for summer soirées. Style with chunky bangles and raffia wedges to offset the ultra-feminine vibes
| Sizes | UK 8-16 |
|---|---|
| Material | Printed chiffon fabric |
| Care | Wash with similar colours |
Another sophisticated cut-out dress design comes in the shape of this breezy midi from ASOS. It’s made from a cotton and linen blend that’ll keep you cool in high temps. Big thumbs up from us.
| Sizes | UK 4-18 |
|---|---|
| Material | 91% Cotton, 9% Linen |
| Care | Machine washable |
This dress is bloomin’ beautiful (haha, get it?). Jokes aside, we’re genuinely obsessed with the bold floral print and slinky material of this Reformation dress–it’s perfect for everything from summer nights at your local wine bar to tropical baecations.
| Sizes | UK 4-16 |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% Silk (snazzy) |
| Care | Dry clean only |
This is just perf if you only want to show a little (and by little, we lit mean a slither) of skin. Brides to be, this is a high street wedding dress option that’s made for hens and casual ceremonies.
| Sizes | UK 4-18 |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% cotton denim |
| Care | Machine washable |
Didn’t think we’d forget to give you our best bodycon mini recc, did ya? This thigh-grazing frock will look great as a beach cover-up with flip flops or in the festival fields with cowboy boots.
It’s giving... Grecian goddesss. Pair with a warped gold clutch and strappy sandals for a wedding in the Med and prepare your acceptance speech for the Best Dressed Awards.
| Sizes | UK 4-14 |
|---|---|
| Material | Premium jersey |
This beauty might be on the pricier side but boy, is she pretty! We can never resist a designer pick and the halter-neck details and pleated skirt give this silhouette an unexpectedly romantic twist.
| Sizes | UK 6-14 |
|---|---|
| Material | Woven fabric |
| Care | Dry clean only |
Who said cut-out dresses need to be daunting? We can’t lie, Zara killed it with this asymmetric one. The flared long sleeve, midi-length and micro side cut-out make it a v v wearable option.
| Sizes | S-L |
|---|---|
| Material | Plain woven material |
More cut-out dresses we love
Forever New Maddie twist-front mini dress
Aya Muse Ribbed-knit cut-out maxi dress
Simply Be Floral Print Cut Out Back Plisse Midi Dress
Maddy Alford is the Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK and Women's Health UK, covering fashion content online and in print. Maddy specialises in shopping galleries and first-person reviews of the best fashion buys, from jeans and jewellery to wedding dresses, gymwear, and winter coats. She also writes op-eds on on pop culture, viral fashion moments, travel journalism, fitness, and the LGBTQ+ community's relationship with style. Maddy is also a fashion stylist who has worked on over 100 photoshoots at Hearst, including those starring Raye, Niall Horan, and Lena Dunham. Previously, she has worked in fashion PR and e-commerce, including stints at ELLE US and UK, Net-a-Porter, InStyle, and Time Out New York. Maddy has ten years of experience in the fashion industry in both London and New York City, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She is passionate about second-hand shopping, inclusive fashion, running on Regent's Canal, and finding London's cosiest pubs.
Rosie Davenport is an Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK and Red Online, covering fashion, beauty and travel reviews, as well as major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Rosie has reviewed everything from Reformation dresses to the latest massage guns and knows the new brands to bookmark as well as the latest trends to follow. Before this role, Rosie was a Fashion Ecommerce Writer on publications including ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping for nearly two years, and gained a MA from Central Saint Martins in Fashion Journalism in 2021, focussing on the rise (and rise) of fashion podcasting. Rosie has also worked at The Times, been a sub editor at The Mail on Sunday’s weekly YOU magazine and produced in-depth retail reports for the trend forecasting agency WGSN. Her career highlight? Previewing Prada’s AW21 menswear show in the depths of lockdown and interviewing Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons from her bedroom. Outside of work, Rosie can be found rummaging through vintage shops or getting lost in one of London’s iconic department stores. You can follow Rosie on Instagram @rosie.davenport
Shadé (pronounced sh-ah-day) is the Senior Fashion & Lifestyle Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. From what to shop in the latest Revolve flash sale to how to style the hottest new trends, she shares shopping advice, reports on new collabs and reviews your fave fashion brands.
There's a flattering swimsuit for everyone!
30 best summer dresses to shop for sunny szn
Personalised necklaces for main character energy
The beauty advent calendars to have on your radar
