And Just Like That, We're in Our Halter Era (Again)

Halters have gotten a bad rep for decades thanks to their association with the "going out tops" of the early 2000s and the Paris Hilton–backed party-girl aesthetic that's subsumed the category. But I'm here to rewrite the narrative around the silhouette because it's currently being given a very chic new makeover—and I can assure you that the halters of the moment are far from tacky.

I feel 100% confident in saying this because for the past six-plus months, I've been charting their boomerang and I'm finally ready to share the results of my findings. I first took note of the neckline when Bottega Veneta presented an A-line halter dress in their spring/summer 2023 collections that was worlds away from the thin-strapped iterations of the early aughts. In fact, the look was downright elegant and that's not a term most will associate with a halter neckline. More designers including Khaite, Saint Laurent, and Alaïa have joined in and featured elegant halter numbers in their recent fall 2023 collections, proving that the new era is definitely happening.

Now, it's infiltrated my social media feeds and my favorite retailers, who are offering everything from halter turtlenecks to beautiful knitted dresses that are ideal for the fall and winter. Ahead, see the trend on the runway and on Instagram and, of course, shop every cool iteration in the market.

Miu Miu showed a number of delicate V-neck halter dresses that came in the form of semi-sheer floral embroidery and polka-dot prints. Paired with kitten heel pumps, the dresses give off a retro effect that recalls the polished glam of the 1950s.

Alexa Chung recently wore a similar polka-dot halter dress on her Instagram, which she transformed into a fall piece by styling it with a blazer and pumps.

Khaite's take on the halter silhouette is decidedly refined. In her fall 2023 collection, designer Catherine Holstein included a knit maxi dress with cutout cold shoulders and a high neck that lends a striking silhouette.

Elegant style is gaining ground this year, and simple halter tops like this are what fashion people are wearing with items like maxi skirts and minimalist sandals.

Saint Laurent paired cross-strap halter tops with corporate-coded pencil skirts and pumps for the office-to-drinks rotation.

Turtleneck halters that hark back to the '90s are also having a comeback. Here, the simple top looks chic with tailored trousers and slingbacks.

Emerging Danish label A. Roege Hove reimagined their signature pleated sheer fabric in a series of halter tops and dresses for their fall collection

Halter dresses with a plunging V-neck and open back look so elegant and classic, especially when they come with an of-the-moment maxi hemline.

Alaïa's take on the silhouette involves a chic bodycon moment that's signature to designer Pieter Mulier.

Though halters popped up throughout the summer, we're still going to see the neckline continue into the fall through knit halter dresses like the gorgeous Khaite one that Abi Marvel is wearing here.

Bottega Veneta was notably one of the first designers to introduce us to the halter neckline 2.0. In the spring 2023 collection, it featured an A-line halter dress with thick fringe on the skirt. To me, this look set the tone for the new wave of elegant halters to come.

While attending a party for Mango's Jen Ceballos collection in Miami, I opted for a silky halter-top style and paired it with simple black trousers and pumps for a polished take.