Buy Now, Wear Now Open-Back Dresses You Can Also Wear Later

February 5, 2021

We’re getting to that tricky time of year when it’s too late to buy winter-based items. Especially if you consider shipping delays, by the time you get your new score, you may not be able to flaunt it until December. On the other hand, if you start adding spring pieces to your virtual cart, you’ll have to wait a bit to rock them. The solution? Best-of-both-worlds open-back dresses. Ventilated dresses are great layering devices. You can cover them with a heavy coat or cardigan. Or slip a turtleneck or crew-neck sweater underneath. Hell, maybe do both. (You may also want to sport leggings or tights with midi or mini iterations.) Come spring, whether it takes six weeks to arrive or not, ditch the layers. Although you may need to invest in a bra that’s designed for backless creations. Open-back dresses can even keep you cool enough to keep rocking them in summer. Just remember to apply some sunscreen back there to prevent sunburns. See the slideshow for some truly stylish open-back dresses you can pretty much wear all year long.

Open Back Dresses

Kirin

Black Knit Piping Dress, $213 at SSENSE
H&M

Ribbed Jersey Dress in Dark Beige, $24.99 at H&M
The Frankie Shop

Chain Back Dress in Oatmeal, $104 at The Frankie Shop
Tibi

Striped Open-Back Sweater Dress, $665 at mytheresa.com
Zara

Shoulder Pad Knit Dress, $49.90 at Zara
RIXO

Nadine Open-Back Floral-Print Silk-Crepe Maxi Dress, $370 at Net-a-Porter
Helmut Lang

Grey Ring Dress, $141 at SSENSE
Mango

Cut-Out Back Dress, $79.99 at Mango
REMAIN Birger Christensen

Valcyrie Open-Back Merino Wool Midi Dress, $260 at Net-a-Porter
Reformation

Cait Dress in Black, $128 at Reformation
Savannah Morrow The Label + Net Sustain

Harmony Open-Back Silk and Organic Cotton-Blend Midi Dress, $479 at Net-a-Porter
Urban Outfitters

Gangela Spot Print Maxi Dress, $89 at Urban Outfitters
Beaufille

Open-Back Patterned Knit Dress, $379 at Farfetch
Mango

Ribbed Jersey Dress, $19.99 at Mango
The Line by K

September Dress, $235 at Revolve
Weekday

Begonia Cutout Back Midi Dress in Black, $39.20 at ASOS

As passionate about feminism as she is about fashion, Morgan C. Schimminger spends much of her time writing and editing pieces on everything from celebrity style to the fight to keep funding for Planned Parenthood. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California at Berkeley and a master’s degree in publishing from Rosemont College. Morgan has contributed to a variety of publications, including StyleBakery, Uptown, metro.pop and Sister 2 Sister. Every week for theFashionSpot, she profiles the Top 10 Best Dressed Celebs and provides a daily dose of stylish stars via Look of the Day.