Something unusual happened on the fall/winter 2020 runways: We saw a lot of LBDs reimagined. It's common to see a sleuth of black dresses in any given collection or season, but this time around, it was clear that in 6 months' time, everyone's little black dresses are getting a major makeover. Between cocktail parties and frilly soirees, prepare to feast your eyes on LBDs that have been spliced, draped, and fringed for the wearer's (and the viewer's) enjoyment.
Ahead, we have broken down the seven latest LBD trends to come down the fall/winter 2020 runways complete with the imagery and shopping to back each up. By now, you surely own at least one little black dress that you've worn to death, so do yourself a favor and treat yourself with one of the fresh styles ahead.
Spliced and Diced
This season, it wasn't just little black dresses we saw get spliced and diced—it was a major trend we're preparing to see this coming fall. However, seeing the gaping cuts on these frocks felt fresh for an LBD.
Shop the trend:
Delicately Draped
Any LBD with fabric draped in some way around the neck is an LBD worth paying attention to. This subtle detail is giving a sultry and alluring vibe to this otherwise "basic" dress style.
Shop the trend:
Puzzled Pieces
This season was really all about the neck. Necklines got all kinds of exciting, but this swirly, modern (almost reminiscent of a missing puzzle piece) design was one worth calling out as it relates to the LBD.
Shop the trend:
Noir Boudoir
Spring was all about lingerie-inspired detailing, and apparently, so is fall. We saw more sheer, boned, and laced dresses come down the runway than ever before. If you ask us, it's just the upgrade your LBD collection has been in dire need of.
Shop the trend:
On the Fringe
Fancy a frivolous trend? Then a fringed LBD is the style for you. Lengthy fringe fell from frocks up and down the runways, and surprisingly, the frilly detail finally felt wearable. Just scroll to the shopping below—you'll see.
Shop the trend:
Opened-Up
Believe it or not, the off-the-shoulder trend is back and feels much more elevated than before. While we definitely saw more traditional off-the-shoulder styles, it was this fold-over detail that we fawned over the most.
Shop the trend:
Strapless Silhouettes
Strapless styles aren't new by any means, but if there's anything we learned from last season, it's that the '90s influenced many of the spring collections. So naturally, details from the decade percolated into fall 2020 as well. Particularly, the tube top, as it pertains to dresses. We saw both literal iterations of clean tubbed dresses but also the incorporation of festive frills to make them feel more alive.
Shop the trend:
-
I'm High-Key Obsessed—Nordstrom Has the Best Basics, and They're on SaleTop-tier pieces ahead.
-
Bella Hadid Wore the Affordable Black-Dress Trend Everyone's Wearing With Tights and BootsHow to style it for winter, in a nutshell.
-
I Want a Rich-Looking Wardrobe—33 Perfect Picks From Nordstrom's Cyber Monday SaleGet your hands on these chic gems.
-
Victoria Beckham Just Swapped Her Puddle Pants for This Classic '90s TrendA timeless design.
-
Kaia Gerber Channeled '90s Cindy Crawford at the Academy Museum Gala's After-PartyFrom 1994 to 2024.
-
My Friend Wants to Elevate Her Wardrobe—I Sent Her These 31 Nordstrom Fall Sale FindsAll have closet-staple status.
-
Sleek, Sophisticated, and Selena-Approved—This $199 Dress Is a Sellout Waiting to HappenDon't say we didn't warn you.
-
Bring On the Compliments—These 32 Mango Dresses Are on Major Sale and Ready to Turn HeadsUnder $50 and dangerously close to selling out.
