Cutouts Are Getting Even More Daring Next Season

Among the many trends from the early aughts that made a comeback in 2021, the revival of cutouts has taken center stage. Once associated with nights at the club and rebellious teenagers, the concept of cutouts has recently been revisited and redesigned through the lens of high fashion. And, based on the looks designers were serving up on the Spring '22 runways, hole-punching and whale tales are only the beginning.

Though there was undoubtedly a time when cutouts were more or less a controversial trend, models and celebrities have recently embraced the fashion statement, wearing these skin-baring designs in such a way that feels attainable outside the Hollywood bubble. For example, on an evening in Paris back in June, Bella Hadid stepped out in a pair of black, low-rise pants with hip cutouts, and offset the eye-catching bottoms with a simple black tank and lace bralette. Simple, subtle, and a totally acceptable going-out outfit.

Kim Kardashian also adopted carved-out attire during a trip to Vatican City, baring slits of back and hips in early July. But from there, the trend became a little more audacious: on a date night with fiance Travis Barker, Kourtney Kardashian was spotted in a black-and-white striped bodycon dress with circular cutouts cascading down her underarm to her skirt's slit. Katie Holmes walked the black carpet in a super cutout LBD, while Dua Lipa wowed in a two-piece set with cutouts around her chest on an outing with beau, Anwar Hadid.

Scandalous? Maybe. Sexy? Absolutely. And with with the latest round of runway shows as our proof, we're forecasting cutouts to become even more daring next season. The question is: Are you ready?

Prabal Gurung

Starting off with something subtle, Prabal Gurung introduced this tutu skirt dress clad with side cutouts at the designer's Spring '22 NYFW show. The dramatic dome carvings at its sides and front are bold, but not over-the-top. You can easily cover up a bit with an open oversized blazer or duster coat, then shed the top layer once you're ready to show more skin.

David Koma

David Koma kicks the cutout trend into high gear with this ensemble from the designer's most recent runway presentation. It begs the question: why have tiny slits in the leg or thigh when you can cut off an entire limb from the garment? Honestly, we love it. From that sleek horizontal cutout extending from the left shoulder through the model's chest, to the full elimination of the right leg, we're getting sexy Kim Possible vibes from this number — AKA a dream come true.

PatBO

While nowhere near as subtle as Prabal Gurung's dress, this colorblocked number from PatBO is on the tamer side of daring cutouts to come next season. Showing skin at the waist, chest, and left shoulder, the flirty yet structured mini also boasts a high slit, so you're bound to make a statement from every single angle.

Victor Glemaud

This hot pink set from Victor Glemaud is serving up major '90s starlet vibes. The throwback halter and hip-hugger two-piece involves a thong pant waistline and cleavage-revealing slits around the chest, giving loungewear a kind of sex appeal we never knew it needed.

Christian Siriano

Arguably one of the most audacious cutout looks from NYFW was the genius vision of none other than Christian Siriano. Little is left to the imagination with this calf-length dress studded with chunky white buttons dotting a line from the decolletage down. Still, the designer isn't the only one who embraced the cutout LBD: Roberto Cavalli (see: main image) also sent a bellybutton-baring, hip-highlighting, halter-neck design down the runway. With bare neck and arms, this level of the cutout is extremely bold and not for the faint of heart (or confidence).

Saint Laurent

Sure, we were momentarily distracted by the thought of carrying clutches in our pants, but Saint Laurent's Spring '22 collection also featured a variety cutouts. One design that quickly caught our eye was this tight, form-fitting floral jumpsuit. On top of the bold print, it appears to combine a bikini top with summer 2021's favorite crisscross detail, showing off the chest as well as the sides of the body. Colorful, skin-baring, and daring? That's essentially warm weather dressing in a nutshell.

Main Image: PatBO and Roberto Cavalli