How to Wear an Asymmetrical Dress: Your Complete Guide!

Would you like to know if an asymmetric dress would flatter your silhouette? Are you seeking outfit ideas featuring a split dress? Or perhaps you want more information on asymmetric wedding dresses?

You’ve come to the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I have a great fondness for asymmetric cuts, which allow for a fresh take on classic garments by adding a touch of whimsy and originality.

Today, I present to you a comprehensive guide dedicated to the asymmetrical dress, so you can find out if it suits your style and how to wear it.

Whether your dress has a plunging neckline or an asymmetrical hem, special attention should be given to the choice of your shoes, as well as your hairstyle and makeup. Indeed, wearing an asymmetrical dress typically exudes a lot of elegance, regardless of your body shape. Its unique cut draws attention to your legs or your neck and shoulders. It can be worn for everyday occasions, as well as for events such as a formal evening or even a wedding. In fact, there are some stunning asymmetrical wedding dresses available, perfect for those looking for a style that combines sophistication and originality!

Do you want more details? Read on to find out:

• What defines the three main types of asymmetrical dresses,

• What body shapes do they enhance,
• If an asymmetrical wedding dress might be right for you,
• How this type of dress can flatter your curves,
• And finally, a tutorial for those who would like to try their hand at sewing an asymmetrical dress!

What is an asymmetric garment? What about the dress?

Are you wondering what exactly an asymmetrical garment is? Let me explain it simply before we dive into the details. 😉

An Original and Stylish Outfit Cut

The vast majority of the clothing we wear is symmetrical, as most bodies are. It was at the beginning of the 20th century, in 1912, when Madeleine Vionnet, a French designer, first created haute couture garments with bias cuts. This marked the beginning of asymmetrical styles, which later appeared in the collections of renowned fashion houses, such as Balenciaga, and then in ready-to-wear fashion.

An asymmetrical dress or jumper is, by definition, an original piece of clothing designed to allow for great freedom of movement: indeed, Madeleine Vionnet was a pioneer in her time, eliminating the corset for the first time in favour of more fluid, comfortable, and body-friendly garments.

Discover the 3 Main Types of Asymmetrical Dresses

For a dress, asymmetry can be achieved in three different ways:

• by shortening the skirt portion at the front of the legs, to reveal them while maintaining length at the back,
• by creating an asymmetrical neckline that leaves one shoulder bare while covering the other,
• by adding a slit on the side of the skirt to reveal a leg up to the thigh during movement: this is the renowned split dress.

3 Tips for Wearing a Shorter Front Dress with Confidence

To begin with, I’d like to share some tips on how to wear the first type of asymmetrical dress that I mentioned in the previous paragraph. This style is often used for evening dresses, wedding gowns, and also for bohemian maxi dresses, as it adds a sense of dimension.

➡️ An asymmetric dress, when dressed up, requires you to pay particular attention to how you will accessorise it. A chic and glamorous hairstyle that pulls your hair up, such as a high bun, will pair especially well, as will a subtle make-up that matches the colour of your dress.

➡️ The choice of footwear is crucial. If you're looking for a reliable option, you can opt for stilettos, which will enhance your legs and flatter your silhouette. If you're not entirely comfortable with heels, you might consider wearing strappy sandals, which will also pair well with this type of dress.

➡️ Lastly, be aware that this style of asymmetric dresses is especially flattering when they feature multiple layers. This could include underskirts or a special draping technique, which helps to create a stunning effect of volume and movement, making it quite alluring.

The Asymmetrical Neckline Dress, Perfect for Those with Broad Shoulders

When you have broad shoulders, it can sometimes be a bit challenging to find a neckline that highlights your bust effectively. The asymmetrical neckline dress, with its unique shape, will help to accentuate your neck and shoulders. The diagonal cut creates an optical effect that draws attention to one of your shoulders and your neck.

👉 If you wish, you can wear a choker necklace with this style of neckline, with or without earrings. This will help to brighten up your face!

👉 Regarding hairstyles, it is entirely possible to wear your hair down or tied up. You may wish to tuck it to one side to echo the style of your dress. However, if you choose to do this, the side that is left bare must be the one with your bare shoulder, in order to maintain balance in your outfit.

The Split Dress … a closer look at a unique asymmetrical dress

Would you like to wear a dress that is both sexy and light? The asymmetrical slit design would be perfect for you. With its cut-out skirt, it subtly reveals the length of your legs and the curve of your thighs, making it suggestive yet remaining chic and elegant.

Like the asymmetric neckline, this type of cut creates an optical effect that naturally draws the eye towards your legs, making them appear longer.

Among the three styles of asymmetric dresses in this article, this one is the easiest to pair with a jacket, whether you opt for a long one that falls below the knee or a shorter one that sits at the waist, to beautifully accentuate your silhouette.

👉 Lastly, as with the shorter dress at the front, I recommend wearing a lovely pair of heels or sandals to enhance the appearance of your legs.

Wedding Trend: An Asymmetrical Wedding Dress

Are you looking for a wedding dress that is both stylish and unique? There are many stunning designs of asymmetrical wedding dresses available. These styles stand out from the crowd while remaining glamorous, and they have the added benefit of being suitable for most body shapes.

A cocktail dress with an asymmetrical neckline or a slit skirt would be perfect for a wedding with a formal dress code and a sophisticated atmosphere. If you’re looking for something simpler, for a civil wedding for instance, I recommend opting for shorter dress styles, which will convey a sense of vibrancy.

Bohemian wedding dress

Can I wear an asymmetric dress if I have a curvy figure?

If you have a curvy figure, you can definitely wear this type of dress. However, I would highly recommend choosing plus-size styles specifically designed to flatter your generous curves. This will ensure that your asymmetrical dress hangs perfectly and doesn’t look unbalanced.

Feel free to wear dresses with stunning draping, which will truly enhance your silhouette and give you the look of a goddess! If you wish, you can also accentuate your waist with a belt for an amazing effect! 😉

How to Make an Asymmetrical Dress?

Are you new to sewing? If so, I would recommend starting with making a split dress, as it doesn’t require you to sew a bias hem.

Indeed, creating a bias-cut décolleté or skirt requires the development of a specific pattern, which must be referred to accurately, so that the various fabric pieces that make up the dress can be assembled seamlessly.

If you would like to see more clearly what this is about, I recommend watching this video, which explains in detail how to create a pattern for an asymmetric neckline.

Once you've created the pattern, all you need to do is transfer it onto the fabric and carefully sew the various pieces of your bodice together. For the underdress, you can use this technique:

All you need to do then is combine the two elements to create a stunning asymmetric dress!

I hope this article has helped you learn a bit more about asymmetrical dresses, and has inspired you to wear them in your daily life, to elevate your style with both class and originality!

Many of the dresses featured in the illustrations of this article are from our collection of chic bohemian dresses. Discover them now, along with many other unique styles, by visiting our online shop!

Bohemian Long Dress