SPRING 2012 TREND: DROP WAIST DRESSES

To your budget fashionista delight or dismay, we can officially report the drop waist dress is back for Spring. Characteristic of the Chloe’ label, and the typical no-curve Chloe’ model, rocking the drop waist dress used to be only an (ill-fitting) dream for some of us. Regardless of your silhouette history, rest assured, the updated styling saw resurgence on Spring runways, in much more floating and flattering shapes that could camouflage even the most body-conscious fashionista’s flaws.

How to Wear Drop Waist Dresses this Spring

Paralleling other S/S ‘12 trends in terms of buttery, lightweight fabrics and whimsical candy-colored prints, the new drop waist dress is the perfect, breezy substitute to your structured, Spring cocktail dress. Whether you’re looking for a slouchy or slim fit, everyone can have a piece of this Spring’s Gatsby-inspired elegance.

1. Dress with Dropped Waist, $98.48 from ASOS

2. Feather Print Drop Waist Silk Dress, Now $71.99 from BCBG Max Azria

A floating top half is quick to hide any body issues, and a great way to showcase better assets like legs or shoulders. If you’re a fan of wrap-style dresses, look for similar shapes in the drop waist silhouette. V-necklines can be one of the most figure flattering shapes on any woman, and a sleeveless, tank cut is perfect for the fashionista looking to show a bit more skin.

Look for layered silk chiffon’s in those infamous Spring Pantone colors for the simplest palette to color block or showcase a bold bag. An all-over color dress also pairs perfectly with Spring’s large-patterned lace trend. Top your drop waist dress with a lady-like lace jacket or slip a lace top over your dress and turn it into a drop waist skirt/blouse combo.

1. Baby Phat Strapless Striped Ruffled Sequin Drop Waist Dress, Now $47.99 from Macy’s

2. Drop Waist Ruffled Lisa Dress, Now $79 by Rachel Roy

3. City triangles Embellished Drop-Waist Dress, $89  from Kohl’s

For print, pattern, and texture junkies, take a cue from Cavalli and add some spunk to the bottom half of the drop waist trend. Look for dresses with a basic top half, like strapless or short sleeve neckline, and leave the pizazz to the skirt of the dress. Pick your poison of embellishment styles, as pleats, paillettes, feathers and fringe were all represented on the runway and are ready to be shopped from trend to high-end department stores. Giving your outfit some sweet Spring whimsy doesn’t have to be limited to print, so look for soft and ultra-feminine touches to achieve the coveted 1920s glam.