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trendlets
June 26, 2012

Thirty Figure-Flattering, Ladylike Sheaths

By Diana Tsui

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The classic sheath dress first appeared in the fifties, countering the full-skirted Dior New Look silhouette that rose to popularity a decade earlier. With its nipped-in waist and figure-hugging shape, Jackie Onassis quickly adopted the style, cementing its status as a wardrobe staple. Today, the piece remains a favorite for the likes of Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama, and Anna Wintour. And rendered in vibrant florals or embellished tweeds, it’s an effortless way to get dressed in the morning, especially as the summer days wear on. But if those options skew a bit too ladylike for you, Cédric Charlier toyed with digital prints and Stella McCartney used trompe l’oeil lace to add unexpected twists to the traditional silhouette. Click ahead to see all of these choices and more in our slideshow.

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Paul & Joe Sister crocheted cotton dress $495 at Net-a-Porter
Coast vintage look pencil dress $240 at ASOS
Reiss Edina dress $340 at Reiss
Black Halo floral Jackie O dress $390 at Shopbop
Vera Wang printed cotton-blend faille dress $1,095 at Net-a-Porter
Stella McCartney lace-print silk-satin dress $1,235 at Net-a-Porter
Maeve Marbled Waters shift dress $158 at Anthropologie
H&M printed floral sheath $34.95 at H&M
Oasis silk botanical dress $90 at And Other Brands
Warehouse tropical print dress $75.39 at ASOS
Corey Lynn Calter Simone tie back dress $151.20 at Corey Lynn Calter
Yoana Baraschi Sunblaze lace dress $328 at Anthropologie
Mango slim-fit cocktail dress $80 at Mango
J.Crew Origami sheath dress $198 at J.Crew
Milly cobalt and vermillion printed sheath dress $400 at Stylebop
Kain Cam effect silk-blend wrap-effect dress $265 at Net-a-Porter
Nanette Lepore Waterfall dress $298 at Nanette Lepore
Jonathan Saunders Serle star-print dress $1,066 at Matches
Oscar de la Renta belted cotton-blend jacquard dress $1,490 at Net-a-Porter
O’2nd sleeveless Praha print dress $450 at Barneys
Barneys Co-op floral print block shift dress $450 at Barneys
Creatures of the Wind lace sheath $1,060 at the Corner
Zara printed dress $79.90 at Zara
Dolce & Gabbana printed sheath dress $580 at the Corner
Cedric Charlier multi paint print dress $995 at Barneys
Ann Taylor Summer Shadows print sheath dress $138 at Ann Taylor
Jason Wu tweed and gabadine dress $1,495 at Net-a-Porter
David Szeto tie front dress $1,050 at Barneys
Giambattista Valli macramé lace and bouclé wool pencil dress $2,384.66 at Browns
Bottega Veneta degrade lurex jacquard dress $2,442 at Matches
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Tags:

  • trendlets
  • lady-like sheaths
  • goods
  • dresses

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