Countless styles have emerged, peaked, and faded into the annals of contemporary fashion history. Few, on the other hand, have stood the test of time and endured to become iconic silhouettes like the timeless wrap dress.

The dress has been a staple in women's closets since Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF) perfected its design in the '70s. It's comfortable and versatile, suitable for any occasion and body type while remaining flattering unlike any other design.

This guide explains what a wrap dress is and the different types of wrap dresses you can wear.

What is a Wrap Dress

A wrap dress is a dress in which one part is wrapped over/across the other and tied at the back or fastened at the side to form a V-shaped neckline. In the west, the concept first emerged in the 30s in experimental designs inspired by the much older wrap-style garments of China and Japan, like the shenyi and kimono.

But it wasn't until DVF combined a stretchy silk jersey, tie waist, and skirt into a dress that the modern iteration was born. DVF designed a comfortable, lightweight garment that wrapped around the torso while accentuating curves, creating a garment that would gain a reputation for being 'fun yet practical' and 'proper but still sexy.'

Since then, the wrap dress has remained in vogue, showing up on runways, at weddings, in meeting rooms, picnics, the beach, and everywhere in between.

Types of Wrap Dress

There are many types of wrap dresses. For this guide, we're gonna classify them according to length:

  1. Mini wrap dresses are the shortest, usually ending above the knee. They are a great choice for summer and casual outings.

  2. Midi wrap dresses end at the knee and below, without reaching the ankles. They are perfect as casual wear but can also be adapted for formal occasions.

  3. Maxi wrap dresses touch and even surpass the ankles depending on design. Embodying elegance, they are perfect for anything from evening outings to dates and formal occasions.

Wild Rose Wrap Dress Collection

Our wrap dress collection is crafted from soft, breathable cotton to ensure comfort and effortless style.

Jua Dress

A full-length, wrap-style masterpiece designed to complement every silhouette, the Jua Dress features graceful half sleeves and exquisite hand block prints in a package that screams timeless elegance.

Wrap Dress

Effortlessly chic and versatile, this knee-length, sleeveless wrap dress is designed to take you from sun-soaked days to elegant evenings with ease.

Like what you see? Check out our full collection of sustainable cotton garments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When was the wrap dress created?

The wrap dress' iconic modern form is the work of the legendary fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF). She perfected the design in the 70s. But by then, iterations by other designers had existed for at least forty years, themselves inspired by the shenyi, kimono, and other asian wrap-style garments.

What types of wrap dresses are there?

Wrap dresses can be categorized by length into mini (shortest), midi, and maxi (longest) dresses. Mini wrap dresses end above the knee (or higher), midi dresses are knee-length or longer without touching the ankles, while maxi wrap dresses reach and often cross the ankles.

Gordon Hewitt