As the weather warms up, our urge to ditch jeans and jumpers in favour of flirty little dresses has never been stronger. And in 2024, one silhouette has risen through the ranks to occupy pride of place in our new season wardrobes: the drop waist dress. 

While hemlines typically rise in accordance with the temperature, the drop waist dress du jour is following a different trend, with a contoured bodice that hits just below the hips, and gives way to a billowing, floor-skimming skirt.

Fashion is nothing if not cyclical, and the style of the moment takes its cues from the 1920s, when curve-skimming, tubular dresses – emphasised by a waist band that grazed lower on the hips – were all the rage. Now, a whole century later, the drop-waist silhouette is staging a comeback, cropping up on runways for the likes of Carolina Herrera, Khaite, and Celine, and filtering through to our wardrobes courtesy of brands like Musier Paris, St Agni, and Matteau.

It’s perfect timing, really. Here in Australia, we’re on the cusp of not only Summer, but event season, which means our social schedules are peppered with events that call for elegant cocktail ensembles. Our solution to deciphering the dress code? The drop waist dress. The longer hemline and contoured silhouette meets the mark for dressier occasions, with the addition of a low heel and some great jewellery. And for daytime occasions, dress your look down with simple sandals (like these ones, by A Emery) and minimal makeup. 

Below, get acquainted with the style of the moment with ten drop waist dresses we're eyeing up in 2024.

1. Matteau Gathered Drop Waist Dress

2. Minima Esenciales Karis Drop Waist Maxi Dress

3. St Agni Strapless Dress

4. Maison Essentiele Buckle Dress

5. SWF x Revolve Drop Waist Dress

6. Faithfull the Brand Citara Maxi Dress

7. Dissh Milano Black Cotton Midi Dress

8. Christopher Esber Orion Gown

9. ESSE Studios Halter Duo Dress

10. Anna Quan Juni Dress

Feature image: one, two.