A person with curly hair is sitting on large, light-colored rocks outdoors. They are wearing a Diane Von Furstenberg Etta floral print drop waist maxi dress and large, dangling earrings. Green plants are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

The Dress Edit

The 15 Best Drop Waist Dresses To Flatter Every Figure

 

Drop waist dresses are everywhere this spring and for summer and the reasons are obvious. Not only do these pieces offer a flattering waistline, but they also deliver a fashion-forward take on style. Now is the perfect chance to channel your inner fashion icon and let your personality shine through. Whether it’s a maxi from Helsa or a mini from Free People, the options are virtually endless when it comes to drop waist dresses. But before you think these flirty looks aren’t made for every body shape, scroll through this edit. You might just prove yourself wrong—at least I did.

A woman in one of the best Helsa The Naomi maxi drop waist dresses in blush pink, a strapless, floor-length lavender gown, stands against a green and gold wall. She has a poised expression and is leaning slightly to her right with her left arm resting on the wall. The floor is covered in green carpeting with a white baseboard.

HELSA The Naomi Dress

A woman stands on the deck of a boat, facing sideways with her head tilted slightly back. She is wearing a Bardot Lorenza light blue drop waist midi dress, flowing elegantly. The background features a calm sea and a rocky coastline under a clear sky.

BARDOT Lorenza Midi Dress

Maxis, Midis & Drop Waists Go Hand In Hand

 

Haven’t yet seen the best drop waist dresses? These midi and maxis are just the pieces you need to see. Not only are the longer lengths great for more special occasions, but they help elongate the body is the most flattering way possible. My ultimate favorite would have to be the Helsa The Naomi dress—not just because Jasmine Tookes wore it. Its luxurious draping makes this look the best for parties of all kinds, including romantic dinners. Whether hiding flats for comfortability or wearing it with heels like the Paris Texas Lidia sandals, this dress is iconic in more ways than one. Plus, bags like Self-Portrait’s Micro Bow bouclé tote also style it well.

 

For a more ethereal approach, the Bardot Lorenza midi dress is stunning as far as color is concerned. Blue just so happens to also be trending for summer, making it an ideal look for anyone attempting to follow trends. Plus, it’s even more stunning with the Aquazzura Rock Chic crystal  mules and one of Self-Portrait’s embellished totes. The best drop waist dresses are those that take on a more unique approach with asymmetrical waistlines. And if you’re anything like me, you know thes subtle details make all the difference.

  • HELSA The Naomi Dress

    $358
  • FREE-EST Vivi Mini Dress

    $78
  • MARANT ETOILE Parsley Embroidered Cotton-gauze Mini Dress

    $770
  • BARDOT Lorenza Midi Dress

    $159
  • DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Etta Tiered Floral-print Woven Maxi Dress

    $480
  • AJE Nova Pleated Midi Dress

    $625
  • FREE PEOPLE Made Me Smile Mini Dress

    $78
  • LOVESHACKFANCY Sal Dress

    $445
  • EMILIA WICKSTEAD Viri Floral-print Taffeta-faille Gown

    $3,765
  • ETRO Ruffled Paisley-print Silk-crepon Maxi Dress

    $7,300
  • FOR LOVE & LEMONS Kinsley Mini Dress

    $279
  • LINE & DOT Adella Dress

    $161
  • OSCAR DE LA RENTA Draped Off-the-Shoulder Silk Chiffon Gown

    $5,990
  • ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Solarised Orchid Jacquard Knit Mini Dress

    $2,890
  • MARIA LUCIA HOHAN Jordan Mini Dress

    $1,775

Minis I'm Head-Over-Heels For

 

I might have fallen in love with midi and maxi drop waist dresses, but that’s no reason to forget about the minis. Flirty, fun, and appropriate for many occasions, these pieces are must-haves for summer. Just when I thought I’d be living in bodycons and A-line pieces, these styles stole my heart. The Free-est Vivi mini dress is a great example of a mini that’s underrated. As simple as it is, this dress makes the best at-home lounge go-to. Whether it’s by the garden or even for Sunday brunch, you won’t have to try too hard to style it. The Ferragamo Zina ballet flats and Serapian Secret mini woven tote make the best accessories for an effortless, playful look.

 

With a similar sense of style, the Free People Made Me Smile mini dress is left as the best for last. I’m not much of a yellow type of girl, but this piece wins on so many levels. Not only is its drop waist put front and center, its pleats flatter any woman’s shape. If there’s one dress to pack on your next trip or day out on the town, make this your first option. As for accessories, I’ll be snagging the Gucci Horsebit platform sandals  and Bottega Veneta Solstice shoulder bag to pair with it. Drop waist dresses are some of the easiest pieces to style, and these two picks prove just that.

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A woman with long braids is wearing a Free-Est Vivi mini pink drop waist dress. She is looking down to her left and standing against a plain, light-colored background.

FREE-EST Vivi Mini Dress

A person with long hair poses against a plain background. They are wearing the Free People Made Me Smile yellow mini drop waist dress, a strapless, yellow design with pleats and layered necklaces. Their arms are raised above their head, and they have a neutral expression.

FREE PEOPLE Made Me Smile Mini Dress

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