After months of hiding yourself under heavy knits, puffer coats, blanket scarves and so forth, it's time to remind the world what the rest of you looks like. With gusto. Tasteful skin exposure via creatively slashed clothing is in for spring. A pop of shoulder here, a peek of navel there, a strategically placed triangle of hip, a bold rectangle of thigh, an oval cut-out running right along the sternum...you get the idea.
Hordes of designers have already cosigned the trend. The Spring 2024 collections of Ann Demeulemeester, Atlein, Fendi, Peter Do, Sacai, Issey Miyake, Alexander McQueen and Courrèges, to name just a few, featured clothing that had been artfully slit and shredded as if by Edward Scissorhands or a medicated Wolverine.
Need further proof that provocative-chic slicing is in? Two-ish weeks ago the American people's princess Taylor Swift attended the Super Bowl in Las Vegas wearing a pair of glamorous black high-waisted Area jeans featuring narrow mirroring thigh cut-outs bordered by tiny crystals. Stylist Joseph Cassell topped off the look with a black Dion Lee corset and various custom #87 accessories (of course).
What's more, the trend's currently enjoying another season on the runway with patches of skin visible at Luar, Eckhaus Latta, LaQuan Smith and more. Designers are showing off their ability to play with construction. For Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta, a pencil skirt with spiral seams and leg-revealing cut-outs paired with a cropped felt jacket with an oversize faux-fur collar and cuffs did the trick.
The key to ensuring your look skews less ice dancer, more high fashion, interesting as opposed to distracting, is to have one point of interest. Pair a spliced top with tailored trousers or an undone skirt with crisp shirting or peekaboo denim with a structured bustier.
Ready to give it a go? Shop our sliced selections below. Forgive the preponderance of monochrome, these sliced-and-diced pieces tend to be black and white for heightened skin contrast.
Zara Cut Out Crepe Dress, $79.90 at Zara
Zara Cut Out Crop Top, $49.90 at Zara
TOTEME Cutout Ribbed-Knit Top, $520 at Mytheresa
Rick Owens Cutout Virgin Wool Top, $485 at Mytheresa
Y/Project Cut-Out Denim Miniskirt, $245 at Mytheresa
Paige Raundi Cutout Jumper, $281 at Farfetch
Versace Cutout Turtleneck Knit Midi Dress, $904 at Mytheresa
JW Anderson Cut Out Knee Bootcut Jeans, $595 at Shopbop
Alexander McQueen Slashed Denim Midi Skirt, $1,150 at Farfetch
Christopher Esber Slash-Detail Maxi Skirt, $102 at Farfetch
Versace Slashed Knit Jumper, $758 at Farfetch
Helmut Lang Slash Long-Sleeve Top, $194 at Farfetch
Monse Zebra-Print Slashed-Detail Silk Shirt, $555 at Farfetch
Raey Slash-Back Cotton Belted Jacket, $275 at Matches Fashion
Paris Georgia Cutout Maxi Dress, $550 at Moda Operandi
K.ngsley Romain Cutout Cotton Jersey Tank Top in White, $180 at Moda Operandi
Maison Margiela Cutout High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans, $695 at Net-a-Porter
Intimately Cut It Out Seamless Long Sleeve, $58 at Free People
Coperni Black Asymmetric Flower Maxi Dress, $720 at SSENSE
The Andamane Black Cut-Out Mini Dress, $375 at Browns
Helmut Lang Ribbed Knit Long Sleeve Top, $225 at Bloomingdale's
Area Crystal Slit Jean, $695 at Area