Wearing a wrap dress

The first high-fashion wrap dress was designed in 1974 by Diane von Furstenberg, according to The Guardian. This look was inspired by ballerinas’ outfits, and quickly took off, becoming one of the biggest looks of the 1970s. Over 5 million were sold in the decade. In fact, Amy Adams wears three of them in 2013’s period piece “American Hustle.”

The appeal of the wrap dress is its simplicity. It hugs your curves without the need for buttons or zippers. All it has is a tie. According to Marie Claire, von Furstenberg famously said of the wrap dress, “Well, if you’re trying to slip out without waking a sleeping man, zips are a nightmare.”

Woman in white, multi-flower print fitted dress and black heels — Stage Presence Dress from Monroe and Main

The shape of the wrap dress accentuates your natural curves, highlighting without the discomfort and hassle of corsets, waist trainers, or anything else meant to “suck you in.” It’s been lauded time and time again as one of the dresses that’s flattering on all body types. If you don’t currently rock wrap dresses, here are a few tips to get your started:

Make it Modest

You may be hesitant to wear a wrap dress to the office because of the deep-V neckline. While showing off your decolletage may be perfectly fine for date night, you probably want a little more coverage at work. Simply wear a camisole beneath the dress – try to find one that matches one of the accents on, rather than the main color. If you feel like that may be too bulky for you, consider a high-neck bralette. They are usually inexpensive and pretty, and lifesavers for those too-low-cut tops.

White raffia wedge sandal — Raffia Sandal from Monroe and Main

Dress it up

If you’re wearing your wrap dress to an event that doesn’t call for a cami beneath it, dress the outfit up with a pair of heels and some jewelry. While the pattern on the dress needs to come into play when choosing a shoe, many summery wraps look great with a pair of wedge heels or heeled strappy sandals.

“There’s no way you can go wrong with a wrap dress.”

Go solid or patterned

If you’re concerned about how your silhouette will look, any wrap dress will do. Solid-colored wraps will draw attention to the smallest part of your waist, while patterned wrap dresses will camouflage any bumps or bulges you don’t want to show. There’s really no way you can do wrong! If you’re looking to give the illusion of a flatter stomach, go for a dress that cinches on the side, rather than one that utilizes a tie.

If you decide on a maxi wrap

Maxi wrap dresses can be just as alluring as a shorter one. For an ethereal look – perfect for a romantic beach vacation – try a maxi wrap with a slit so you can show a little bit of leg. Pair this with stiletto heels – nothing too chunky.

Woman carrying sandals in Hawaiian-print maxi dress

Make sure it fits well

A properly fitting wrap dress can be worn in any environment, while an ill-fitting one will most likely end up sitting in the back of your closet. This is because it can be a pain to continuously adjust a wrap dress that doesn’t fit right. When trying your dresses on, opt for a style that fits snugly in the chest to ensure you don’t have any wardrobe malfunctions. It’s also important to make sure the cinch or belt on your wrap dress hits your natural waist.