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Image / Fashion

Sweetheart necklines are fueling our obsession with 1980s dresses


By Freya Drohan
31st Jan 2020
Sweetheart necklines are fueling our obsession with 1980s dresses

Step forward the unlikeliest of fashion inspirations: 1980s debs dresses


Thanks to our ongoing love affair with puff sleeve mini dresses rendered in taffeta and satin, our night out out looks have started to resemble a scene from a vintage American prom.

Fitting snugly into the same retro-inspired ballgown category, sweetheart necklines are also coming to the fore. According to the fashion treasure trove that is Moda Operandi, the €1,100 Maddy top from buzzy New York-based label Khaite was one of the most purchased items on site after the Spring/Summer collections debuted last year. Despite its eye-watering price tag, it’s clear to see why the flattering, body-hugging, décolletage-baring knit captivated an audience — including trendsetter Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

For her most recent runway outing, Khaite’s Catherine Holstein showed the Maddy top in black and white styled underneath corsets and bustiers in a thoroughly modern take on debutante dressing.

At Brandon Maxwell’s country club-inspired showcase, there were sleeveless sweetheart neckline tops with long flowing trains paired casually with jeans, and at Bottega Veneta (arguably the ticket of the season) the lust-worthy but simple little black knit dresses came with an equally-romantic neckline.

Similarly, at Proenza Schouler, trench coat lapels were upgraded to join together in a heart-shaped silhouette instead of the usual double-breasted situation, and Jacquemus presented tight, ribbed cardis with a slightly unbuttoned sweetheart neckline that were just as double tap-worthy as his fuchsia pink runway.

All things considered, this alluring and romantic trend looks set to stick around — and we’re not just talking about until Valentine’s Day has come and gone.

Whether you want to dive in headfirst and go full *throwback Tuesday* with a puff sleeve, sweetheart neckline cocktail dress in a jewel tone, or you want to add a new flattering bodysuit to your wardrobe à la Rosie HW, there’s an option out there for you.

Shop the sweetheart neckline trend now:

Delevan top, €116.38 from Reformation

Sweetheart puff shoulder bow blouse, €19.50 from Nasty Gal

ROTATE Oxana Dress, €290 from BrownThomas.com

Kendall & Kylie Biance vegan leather jumpsuit, €117.07 from Shopbop

By The Way faux suede bustier, €28 from Revolve

Floral puff sleeve mini dress, €89 from & Other Stories

Song of Style Leona top, €152 from Revolve

Sweetheart neck Bardot bodysuit, €18 from PrettyLittleThing

Sweetheart Bardot crop top, €28 from PrettyLittleThing

Saint Genies Sweetheart neck corset mini dress, €47.01 from ASOS

Curve sweetheart neck top, €12.44 from ASOS

Read more: Waistcoats are trending – here’s 6 of our favourites

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