Halter dresses are back in style – here are the 20 best ones to buy

Summer is finally here in full swing. As the temperatures rise, you might be tempted to make some changes, like booking a trip or building a whole new wardrobe. You’re not the only one leaning towards the latter. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new season shopping, but let’s be honest, it can also be overwhelming. After all, where do you even begin on your shopping journey? Luckily, there’s always a foolproof starting point… well, the dress department. Don’t get us wrong. Other staples like sandals, sunglasses, swimsuits, and linen sets are also essential to your summer wardrobe. However, nothing keeps you feeling sophisticated when it’s sweltering outside quite like a dress. A dress is the one item you can definitely wear all summer long.

But if you’re not sure what type of dress to incorporate into your closet, consider a more classic silhouette, such as a halter neck. If this has given you pause, hear me out. I know that others don’t feel the same way about this style, but I’ve always found it very sophisticated. While everyone’s feelings about halter neck dresses may vary, there’s no denying that it’s fast becoming one of the biggest trends this season. Don’t believe me? Below, we’ve rounded up examples of how the halter neck dress trend has taken over the runways, the street style scene, and even Nordstrom’s digital racks, solidifying the style’s comeback. If you’re looking for items to refresh your summer wardrobe, prepare to stop searching.

On the runway

Styling notes: One way this dress silhouette has been adapted in recent seasons is by incorporating special hardware, a great example being Coperni’s Spring/Summer ’24 collection, where the addition of buckle hardware to this black dress makes the dress even bolder.

Styling notes: Another way to give this dress style a modern twist is to incorporate on-trend colours: For example, there were several halter neck dresses in Ferragamo’s SS24 collection, but not as many as the pistachio green maxi.

Styling notes: It wasn’t just the color that made this dress stand out, but the styling as well, as seen in Fendi’s Spring/Summer ’24 collection, where a minimalist halter neck dress was styled with contrasting accessories for a modern take on color blocking.

Styling notes: As well as styling, designers also focused on details, especially textiles, to make the dress feel a bit more daring. Several halter neck dresses were seen in luxurious materials, such as Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer ’24 show, where a style was seen in saffron red velvet.

Styling notes: Designers are making this “outdated” dress feel fresh in a variety of ways, but the most straightforward way they brought it back this season was through their embrace of simplicity (see: Torv’s spring show). Clean tailoring, neutral hues, and breezy fabrics made this classic dress even chicer.