What goes around must come around in the realm of high fashion and it comes as little surprise that tube dresses—a popular favorite from the 2000s—are back on everyone’s sartorial radar. But while the strapless bodycon was earlier considered the gambit of bold red carpet fashion, a recent resurgence of wear-anywhere silhouettes will inspire you to start dreaming creative ways to include it in your wardrobe. Ahead, all the insider-approved ways to style this 2000s staple:
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How to style tube dresses like a celebrity It-girl
When it comes to tube dress styling, you will want to take your cues from some of the best-dressed names. The silhouette has been popping up on the red carpet circuit with frequency—Nadine Nassib Njeim took the trend for a whirl at the 2024 Vogue Ball of Arabia in a lustrous Rami Kadi gown with iridescent fringe. The color palette also found favor with Yasmine Sabri who opted for a metallic tube dress with a slit at the Cannes Film Festival. Tube pleated dresses are also having a moment in the spotlight with Nancy Ajram shining bright in a gilded chainmail number.
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Elsewhere, on Hollywood shores, metallic moments are aplenty in this silhouette, from Kylie Jenner’s iridescent Maison Margiela creation detailed with a bow and cape to Dua Lipa’s rose-hued column dress at the Critics Choice Awards earlier this year.
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How to wear tube dresses for every occasion on your social calendar
Before you delve deeper into exploring tube dress outfit ideas, it helps to understand the origins of this trend. While strapless dresses have been around since the 1930s—notably first popping up in the collections of Christian Dior—the tube top-style silhouette was first produced in 1971 as a manufacturing error. The bandeau silhouette has since been sported by fashion icons down the ages for just about every occasion—Vera Wang’s strapless silhouettes for bridalwear now serve as industry lore. The resurgence of this 2000s trend now paves the way for other sartorial hallmarks of the era: kitten heels, cardigans and hair accessories. If you are looking to invite a tube maxi dress into your everyday rotation, take notes from our guide on how to wear this silhouette wherever your social calendar takes you:
How to style tube top dresses for summer
- For those who prefer tube dresses with straps, Amina Muaddi has plenty of inspiration to offer with her summer-ready number.
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- Allow your hunt for the perfect tube dress for the beach to be guided by tropical prints and mood-enhancing colors.
- For making heads turn as you dash from brunch to the beach, make note of the Good American tube maxi dress with ruched detailing that will infuse a lively pop of color into your summer wardrobe.
- Pleats and ruffles are always a good way to add a touch of femininity to a look but if you are looking to stand out from the crowd at a sundowner, opt for a bodycon mini in a monochromatic color with a feather trim.
Orchid tube dress in stretch-jersey, Kourh
Ruched maxi tube dress in stretch-satin, Good American
Cynthia feather-trimmed mini dress in crepe, The New Arrivals by Ilkyaz Ozel
How to style tube dresses for a formal black-tie event
- If you are ready to break free from the usual suspects, an elevated take on this style will help you nail the memo on black-tie elegance.
- Just ask Dorra Zarrouk who opted for a fit-and-flare gown from Georges Chakra for the Cannes Film Festival 2023.
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- A black tube dress undoubtedly serves as a silhouette that is hard to get wrong but if you are looking to dial up the drama, consider pairing your tube dress with gloves.
- With a sleek updo and a raincheck on statement-making jewels, you have all the makings of a winning sartorial moment.
Tube maxi dress in faux leather, Good American
K/signature rock-chic fingerless gloves in leather, Karl Lagerfeld
How to style tube dresses with blazer to the office
- While the words tube dresses and office wear might not often be uttered in the same breath, with the right styling choices, this silhouette will see you through the 9-5 grind and beyond.
- Start your journey by teaming your go-to strapless bodycon dress with a cardigan for easy yet effective layering.
- To ensure that your look abides by prevalent office dress codes, opt for understated colors such as muted neutrals and a cardigan or a blazer in a coordinated hue.
- With a sprinkling of sparkle—think classic diamond studs and an impactful tennis bracelet—you are ready for whatever the day brings.
Honeycomb tube midi dress in rayon-knit, Isa Boulder
Disheveled cardigan in cotton-knit, Marni
Belted blazer in crepe, Boss
How to style tube dresses with sleeves
- If you are looking to give this fashion staple a more modest upgrade, there are a slew of tube dresses with sleeves to be considered.
- Leading the pack is Nancy Ajram whose choice of bodycon knit is underscored by feather-trimmed sleeves and subtle styling touches, such as a sleek belt.
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- Your options range from impactful layering—how about a strapless maxi dress with a coordinated bolero—to belted silhouettes that will help you match pace with the trend turnovers of the season with effortless ease.
- For those looking to make a more dramatic statement, allow your search to be guided by outré silhouettes and voluminous sleeves.
Strapless maxi dress and bolero set, Nass
Belted strapless maxi dress in jacquard, Nass
Lea puff-sleeved maxi dress in twill, Solace London
How to style tube dresses for a party
- It ain’t really a party until a tube minidress joins the chat. For all the invites on your après-hours calendar, allow this Y2K staple to see you through with ease.
- Sequins and lustrous metallic always make for a winning duet with this silhouette, while slits and feather trims will always invite double-taps on the ‘gram.
- To ensure that your dress has its moment in the spotlight, you’ll want to consider your finishing touches with care: slicked-back, pin-straight locks teamed with a raincheck on jewelry. Compensate with a go-bold-or-go-home approach to your choice of footwear—there is no going wrong with a pair of skyscraper heels doused in crystals and diamanté.
Harlow tube mini dress in sequin jersey, Auteur
Feather-trimmed mini dress in crepe, Self-Portrait
Alexa 105 crystal mule sandals in satin, Amina Muaddi
How to style a tube dress with accessories
- The tube-like contours of this style staple offer a blank canvas for accessorizing for minimalists and maximalists alike.
- The latter will want to take notes from Gigi Hadid’s appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2023. The star’s choice of a nude Zac Posen tube dress was elevated with a generous helping of diamonds worn in every way imaginable—from ear clips and wrist cuffs to stacked rings and a showstopper choker.
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- If you’d like to keep things simple, team a monochromatic tube dress with a colorful pendant necklace and logomania-approved huggies to ensure all eyes on you wherever you go.
Harper mini dress, Elle Zeitoune
Love summer pendant diamond necklace in 18kt yellow gold, L’Atelier Nawbar
Small logo hoop earrings, Miu Miu
