WHAT ARE SCARF DRESSES AND WHY IS EVERYONE WEARING THEM RIGHT NOW?

We can't get enough of the hyper-feminine trend.

March 13, 2024

From the runway to the red carpet, scarf dresses are dominating the trend charts.

Remember Princess Diana‘s powder blue 1987 Cannes Film Festival dress? One of the most iconic runway images from the history of the Cannes Film Festival, the late Princess’ soft blue strapless Catherine Walker gown, complete with a chiffon gown, lives in our heads rent-free. But we are hardly the only ones, for scarf dresses (as we have dubbed them), that have made a full-blown comeback.

From the runway to the red carpet, scarf dresses – and to some extent even tops – are having a major moment. Slinky slip dresses, breezy sundresses, and magnificent red carpet-worthy gowns are all being accessorized with long, floaty neck scarfs designed to trail. While the distinct style has been gathering steam for a while now with a red carpet and street-style appearance here and there over the past year, it has now evolved into a major trend.

Dresses – both long and short – affixed with a matching scarf that can be wrapped around the wearer’s neck are dominating the runways, red carpets, and our social feeds. Scarf dresses and tops were spotted on the Spring/Summer 2024 runways of Alberta Ferretti, Roberto Cavalli, and Elie Saab, and they also appeared on the Fall/Winter 2024 runways of Alberta Ferretti, Burberry, Elie Saab, Etro, Loewe, and more.

That’s not all; scarf dresses even made it to the 2024 Oscars red carpet, where one of the very best looks of the night — a powder blue strapless Elie Saab number (reminiscent of Princess Diana’s Cannes gown) — donned by Hailee Steinfeld, featured a matching neck scarf.

Greta Lee also opted for the trending style, walking the Oscars red carpet in a fresh-off-the-runway Loewe Fall/Winter 2024 black-and-white gown.

As for our social feeds? They are currently flooded with scarf dresses and scarf tops worn by the fashion crowd. Now, the best part about the trend is its versatility. You hardly need a red carpet to achieve the hyper-feminine look. In fact, a sleek chiffon or satin neck scarf is a great way to elevate a simple summer dress or your trusted slip dress. You can even play with textured lace or floral scarves to make a statement.

Can’t wait to wear the trend? Discover how the chicest girls in fashion are styling scarf dresses and scarf tops.