Scissor Chic

 Striking, sexy and just a bit naughty…

Starlets are scorching up the red carpet in outfits so hot they should come with a warning label at the moment. Stunning dresses with intriguing cut-out details are sizzling in the summer heat right now and are all over the stores from designers to chain stores.

This hot trend was seen last year on the runways at Balmain, Herve Leger, and Preen among others. Since then celebrities such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Mandy Moore have embraced showing some skin in a less conventional way.

Left: Zimmerman. Below: Leighton Meester, model wearing Dion Lee

This is not a DIY trend like ripped jeans so put down those scissors! Depending on the strategic placement of the cut-outs this look can be cheeky and playful or sexy and daring. However Mandy Moore manages to make it look sophisticated, the sexy slivers make her Preen LBD more edgy and modern.

Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester also made an impact with a sexy Emilio De La Morena peek-a-boo dress with geometric shapes that’s provocative without being too revealing and totally fashion forward.

Creative cut-outs have been seen on the Australian catwalks of Zimmermann, Manning Cartell, Friedrich Gray and Konstantina Mittas (below) who all sent out their own versions of the look.  

Newcomer Dion Lee also sent several variations of cut-out garments down the runway last year including stunning blazers with cut-out elbows which are a perfect example of contemporary tailoring adapted to the Australian climate. What could be better then beautiful garments with built in air-conditioning vents for the Southern hemisphere’s scorching summer months?

To wear this cheeky new trend, the trick is to keep accessories to a minimum and for those body con dresses sky high heels are non-negotiable for long lean legs. If you’re not so keen on the attention from exposing slices of your midriff, the blazers with cut out elbows or subtle leggings are an easy, wearable way to add this hot trend to your wardrobe.

As the adage goes If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

By Evelyn Ebrey
2 February 2010