This Summer's Best Backless Dresses Are Made to Stand Out
With summer in full swing, you may get the urge to reach for dresses that skew more on the sultry side. Blame it on the weather—or simply feeling flirty—but there's nothing like showing off a little more skin than usual—and backless dresses are the foolproof trend we can count on.
The perfect backless dress strikes a balance between understated and sexy, featuring adequate coverage (à la high necklines) that highlights the wow factor of a bare back. Not sure how much you want to reveal? There are a plethora of options for your preferences. From low-back styles that disclose just enough to daring cuts that go down to the waist, we've got at least one backless dress you'll feel confident in for every occasion this season.
Whether you're seeking a bold mini for your next vacation or an elegant and comfortable midi for wedding season, shop 17 of the best backless dresses that will be sure to get a double take.
This rosette-adorned mini from Revolve is begging to be worn for a glamorous night out.
Sizes: XXS-XL
Colors: Light Pink, Red, Ivory, Light Yellow, Black
Materials: Viscose, polyester, elastane
Leave it to Reformation to design the perfect backless wedding guest dress. The polka-dot print and flounced skirt lend a classic flair to the back-baring style.
Sizes: 0-12
Colors: Moon Dot, Chianti
Materials: Viscose
You can't go wrong with a breezy, billowy cotton maxi to wear beachside or poolside—and this one is available in a rainbow of shades.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: 17 options
Materials: 100% Cotton
The Brooklyn-based label's Jamaican-inspired design can be dressed up with heels or dressed down with sneakers.
Sizes: XS-XXL
Colors: Rasta Print
Materials: Polyester, rayon
This Silvia Tcherassi midi has it all: a plunging halter neckline, draped detailing, and gold-tone hardware. Accessorize it with matching chunky jewelry.
Sizes: XS-L
Colors: Brown
Materials: Viscose, acetate
The shoulder ties instantly offer a darling look to this simple knit mini from Zara. The best part? You can make it yours for under $50.
Colors: White
Materials: Viscose, polyamide
This Aritzia cowl-neck satin LBD with an open back is poised to be a wardrobe staple for seasons to come.
Sizes: 00-12
Colors: Black, Dark Olive, Saville/Multi, Turner Taupe, Matte Pearl
Materials: Polyester
You can count on Jacquemus to create a sophisticated white dress, with a subtly sexy side and an A-line skirt.
Materials: Viscose, nylon, polyamide, elastane
The ultimate summer dress, if there ever was one. This striped linen number by Australian brand Zimmermann highlights an asymmetric neckline, side cut-out, and a barely-there strappy back.
Sizes: 4-12
Colors: Yellow Stripe
Materials: 100% Linen
For those looking for a casual one-and-done dress, consider this plaid mini finished with a delicate lace trim.
Sizes: 4XS-4XL
Colors: Tan Plaid
Swimwear brand Solid & Striped makes dresses too! See why gingham is summer's signature print in its bestselling dress, which has pockets, smocking, and a multi-strap back.
Colors: 6 options
Materials: 100% cotton
This slinky Retrofête column gown comes in a luxe chestnut brown. The beaded straps are the standout detail, extending all the way down to the waist.
Colors: Chestnut
Have a tropical getaway on the docket? Pack this gorgeous maxi, which features a triangular neckline, ornate crisscross straps, and a subtle floral print. Pair it with your favorite flat or kitten-heel sandals.
Colors: Off-White
Make a statement in this unexpected pink-and-blue stunner by Mango. The cornflower-blue brocade embroidery and bubblegum-pink fringe hem combine modernity and old-world charm for an unforgettable look.
Colors: Pastel Pink
Materials: Polyester, acetate, viscose
A no-frills linen dress is a warm-weather essential. The Lelia by Nili Lotan is an elegant, lightweight maxi offered in an earthy khaki shade with a cinched back. Throw it on when you want to beat the heat and feel put together.
Colors: Khaki
What looks like a regular shift dress has a surprise exposed back. We especially love the relaxed silhouette for comfort. If you're not into the zebra print, opt for the classic black iteration.
Sizes: 0-20 (including tall and petite sizing)
Colors: Brown Zebra Print, Black
For your next night out, choose this jaw-dropping jersey maxi from Éterne, the label from celebrity stylist Chloé Bertoli. A refined high-neck front expertly counters the revealing low-waist back, giving you a true 'business-in-front' situation.
Colors: Black
Materials: Modal, spandex
Every product featured on ELLE.com is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.
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'But it's not just enough that he snores, he brings our dog, Trey, who's a little Frenchie, and they snore together. It's like a symphony of snoring.' Wade marked Union's 50th birthday with a wrist tattoo of the outline of a heart next to the letters 'GU.' In a Reel on Instagram, Union looks delighted by the surprise. 'The moment you find out your man has made you his 17th tattoo. @dframeddanewade made his best bday surprise for #SouthAfrica WadeWorldTour2022 edition #Capetown Part 4,' Union wrote in the caption. Union celebrated Wade's 41st birthday by throwing him a huge dinner attended by their closest friends and family, including celebrities Corey Gamble, Jemele Hill, Avery Wilson, Essence Atkins, and Queen Latifah. 'Any chance to celebrate you, know that I'll be the loudest one cheering!' the star wrote on a carousel of pics and videos on Instagram. They walked the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles. Wade wore a Prada suit, and Union was dressed in Ralph Lauren. Union made a revealing comment about her and Wade's finances during an interview on the Black Millionaires podcast, saying they split bills in the middle in their household. 'In this household, we split everything fifty-fifty,' she said, via People. 'But in the other households that each of us have to support, there's always this like, gorilla on your back, that's like, 'You better work, bitch, you better work. Oh, you're going to sleep in?' You know, somebody might not eat.' Union added she maintains a 'scarcity mindset' from before she found success, saying, 'I think I just have more responsibilities for my money. I get nervous like, 'Oh God, that movie didn't open. Am I going to have enough to hold everybody up?'' Fans were seemingly very interested in Union's revelation, and Wade eventually discussed their finances on the Club Shay Shay podcast. 'I said something about it being my house that I paid for,' he told host Shannon Sharpe. 'My wife looked at me and said, 'You will never say that to me again when it's something that we share.' So when we moved to [Los Angeles], my wife said, 'I got half on it you will never say my house again—you can say that in the arena!'' During Wade's Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame acceptance speech, he called out Union. 'My wife, Gab, thank you for making our house a home,' he said. 'Thank you for making sure our kids feel seen, heard, and protected when I'm not around.' Wade continued, 'Thank you for being on this journey with me these past 15 years. Thank you for learning to love my imperfections, just as much as we enjoyed and love the moments of perfection. I love you.' Union celebrated Wade's birthday with a tribute on Instagram. 'You are a gift to me, your family and everyone you encounter,' the actress wrote. 'Your purpose is rooted in the divine. May the blessings on blessings rain down on you. Love you Bay.' Union and Wade celebrated 10 years of marriage together. The couple enjoyed a fun vacation in Martha's Vineyard.
