Shop These 8 Modern Takes

Official recession indicator or not, bandage dresses are back. The body-hugging silhouette that once ruled early aughts club dance floors and red carpets is back, albeit with minor tweaks. While recent iterations of this design subscribe to the same tight, sculpted look as those of yesteryear, designers are reworking the iconic body con with unexpected enhancements, from trending colors (hi, chocolate brown and guava pink) to shapewear-inspired fabrics that are equal parts breathable and body-contouring.

Whether you’re reliving your club rat roots or just want to feel like your most snatched self, there’s a bandage dress out there that aces the assignment. Read on to learn all about the bandage dress revival, including the history and how to style it in 2025.

The History of Bandage Dresses

Though you most likely remember it as a mid-2000s wardrobe staple à la Hervé Léger, this form-fitting dress’s origin story dates back to the early 1980s, courtesy of Azzedine Alaïa. Inspired by Egyptian mummies, the famed designer debuted a line of satin-finish dresses that clung tightly to the body, contrasting the oversized shoulder pads and structural tailoring that became the uniform of the time.

In the early ’90s, the first collection of Léger’s signature bandage dress hit the runway with the same dramatically snug fit we know today. Though it was mainly a supermodel wardrobe essential in its initial heyday, Léger’s design hit a mainstream high in the mid-to-late 2000s. From Kim Kardashian to Rihanna and Victoria Beckham, just about every household name of this era was an avid fan of this waist-cinching dress. In its golden era, the trending fit inspired recreations from other brands that became just as popular as Léger’s, most notably from House of CB.

The Trend in 2025

Peeps of the bandage dress revival started to bubble across TikTok in 2024, but it quickly fast-tracked to becoming the must-have dress of this summer. Kaia Gerber kicked off the trend this previous fall when she wore a white bandage Hervé Léger dress as an homage to her mother, Cindy Crawford, who wore an identical number to the Oscars in 1993. The following spring, Hailey Bieber hopped on the skin-tight bandwagon and wore a burgundy Saint Laurent play on the bandage dress to the Fashion Trust U.S. awards. Then came the slew of fashion influencers showcasing their vintage Léger finds and new stylings from the likes of Aritzia, Bebe, and House of CB to make it official: the bandage dress is back.

While the dress has maintained its signature silhouette, you’ll also find modern twists like pared-back palettes, an occasional cutout, and comfier, less-restricting fabrics. Still, we’ll be honest: In terms of size inclusivity, most brands’ bandage dress offerings are still falling disappointingly short, as the largest size available at most brands is an extra large (minus a bandage-adjacent find from Good American). That being said, the bandage dress trend is still relatively on the rise, so we hope to see more extended size ranges from brands in the near future.

The Evolution

As with most fashion trends making their way across TikTok and elsewhere, the return of the bandage dress has a lot to do with nostalgia and our subconscious craving for a simpler—and dare I say, rowdier—time. But there’s a bit more to it than that: The bandage dress is a reminder that boldly celebrating every curve will never go out of style. This time around, it’s less about fitting into a “one-size-fits-all” mold and more about playing with proportions, texture, and personal style. 

How to Style

A bandage dress is surprisingly low-lift to style: The beauty of it is that it looks meticulously styled, even when you only had seconds to hop into the garment and go. For a timeless, fail-proof outfit, pair it with matching pumps or open-toe heels and a teensy bag like Jacquemus’s Bambino. If you want an indie sleaze moment, ripped tights and Converse will do the trick.

This dress is meant to be the star of your look, and we don’t often see it styled with outerwear, but if you need a layering option, an oversized blazer is always your wardrobe’s best friend. Finish it off with your favorite jewelry (preferably hoops and a tiny necklace), et voilà. No matter how you style it, just keep in mind that at its core, this dress is club attire. Still, you’d be surprised at where and when you can get away with wearing it (like graduation day).

Standout Modern Bandage Dresses to Shop

We’re in the midst of a bandage dress renaissance, but you won’t find any dated styles here. Below, take a look at some of the hottest takes on this form-fitting trend, including modern plays on seam patterns, elevated color options, and skin-baring cutouts.