The Cut Out Dress Has Gone Viral On Instagram – But Is It Actually Wearable?

Any fashion fan with an Instagram account will know it’s not just memes that go viral nowadays; ‘It’ pieces are just as likely to generate likes, shares and copious heart emojis. Worrying about turning up to a party in the same shoes/bag/jacket/whatever as someone else is so Noughties, now you just have to get over it. Or if you can’t, then just get it to the grid first.

Fashion’s latest culprit to achieve Insta-fame? Cult Gaia’s Serita dress, a sandy-hued, form-fitting maxi, and surely this summer’s sexiest spin on a knit.

There are two key ingredients needed for an item of clothing or accessory to achieve viral success status – and this dress has both. The first is celebrity and mega-influencer endorsement. Cult Gaia can namecheck Hailey Bieber, Rosie Hungtington-Whiteley and Camille Charriere as fans. Tick!

The second is some sort of design flair that makes a piece really standout. That, in this case, has been achieved by the sassy cut-out detailing at the sides. These transform what would otherwise be a charmingly minimal design into a ‘grammable moment.

Cult Gaia’s isn’t the only cut-out dress doing the rounds right now. Similar styles, from the likes of Reformation, Zara and & Other Stories, are making a case for this being the surprise hit dress of the summer. Yes, there are the ultra-sexy versions but a slit can also subvert the sweetness of this season's more puritanical designs. You can go bright or neutral, dressed up or dressed down, the rest is over to you.

But are these dresses only reserved for a specific type of body (Angels Candice Swanepoel and Romee Strijd are also fans of the Serita; the latter wore hers for her Instagram pregnancy announcement)? Well, not necessarily. Sure, you might balk at the idea of showing off your midriff, particularly after weeks of lockdown stagnation, but the cut-out dress can be surprisingly flattering (they’re easier to wear than a cropped top, thanks to the fabric covering most of the midriff and a lot more forgiving than cycling shorts, which show no sign of diminishing in popularity despite their ‘challenges’). If you find the cling of the Cult Gaia dress unforgiving, then just look for styles in breezy cotton instead.

Furthermore, many of these designs allow you to actuallywear a bra with them – not always a given with summer dresses – just choose a style with lower cut outs. Still feeling daunted? Opt for loose-fitting styles that reveal a sliver of skin rather than Love Island acres of it (the most flattering cut outs are the ones which narrow towards the middle). Demure-yet-daring is your directive; take Kiwi designer Georgia Alice’s white Milan dress as your reference point.

Convinced? Then you only need to remember the golden rule: don’t forget to post your #OOTD.

SHOP: Cut-Out Dresses To Buy Now & Wear All Summer Long