Best Cutout Dresses. It is a favorite amongst celebrities and has recently resurfaced on the red carpet, taking over our Instagram feeds with the last NYFW… what is it exactly? The cutout clothing trend, of course!

This daring fashion choice takes many forms. Cutouts in dresses, slits in tops, holes in sweaters. Many are saying it’s the new black. And if you are a gal who likes to stay on top of the trends, this is one you don’t want to miss out on.

But you might have some qualms about this particular trend. As an ordinary woman, rocking a sweater that features sixteen different-shaped holes (narrowly exposing your bra, we might add) in your weekly trip to Target seems a little… well… extreme. And popping on a dress that has giant pieces of fabric missing to head to your sister’s bridal shower can you leave you feeling a tad, um, exposed.

That’s why we’ve rounded up 20 of the best cutout outfits around that you can actually wear. From peek-a-boo shoulders to pretty little back details, these stylish looks all feature small, well-placed cutouts on cute dresses, tops, and sets so that you can hop on the trend without feeling like you’ve left half of your outfit at home. Let’s get started!

How to Wear Cutout Dresses

Here are our top tips on how to wear cutout clothing and how to rock the cutout fashion trend.

• Avoid the hole-y look. Clothing with random holes in it is not nearly as stylish as a structured dress with an actual cutout on the sides or along the back. You don’t want to look sloppy so unless your style is super grunge, we recommend keeping your cutouts more structured and deliberate.
• Less is more. You don’t have to go overboard with this trend. A simple dress here, a cute top there, is really all you need. It’s an inherently edgy clothing trend as well, so don’t feel like you have to wear the most revealing options out there. Keep it understated and leave a little to the imagination.
• Pay attention to your undergarments. While it depends on your cutout placement, you may be showing a little more skin than you are used to with cutout clothing. So wearing the right undergarments is essential. Opt for skin-colored wherever possible, and consider getting creative with your bras to avoid them showing. Sticky bras, low-back bras, strapless or sewn-in bras are all good options.

Without further ado, here are our top picks for simple but stylish cutout outfits that you can wear… from maxi dresses to bathing suits and everything in between!