Diane Von Fürstenberg was aiming to extend the idea started by the American designer Claire McCardell, who was successfully promoting sportive and everyday casual wear during the 40-s to the 60-s of the last century, using the technique of “wrapping”. Moreover, at the end of the Sixties, another stylist Betsey Johnson was successfully showcasing a version of the wrap dress in the best luxe stores on the Madison avenue of New York. But in history entered the wrap-dress made of jersey with colored geometrical pattern, the very one created in 1972 by Diane Von Fürstenberg. She simplified the construction of the belt wrapping the waistline and added the slogan “Feel like a woman, wear a dress!”.
In 1973 the most popular LBD became the “wrap” dress of Diane Von Fürstenberg.
The wrap dress has simple cuts, a loose bodice wrapped and fixed with a waistline belt, and a flared skirt, altogether making this dress look classy and gracious on any body type. It can be in many versions: from mini to long length, with or without a collar, with short or long sleeves, or with no sleeves at all looking like a summertime robe. However, my favorite is the wrap-dress with ¾ sleeves length making a silhouette look very slender and feminine.
The wrap dress looks stunning paired with high heels stilettoes, sandals, wedges, high boots, but also flats. This will be the perfect dress to decorate with bold, unique labeled accessories, making a statement. The V-neckline invites wearing pendants of all kinds, bold earrings, and scarfs. The edges of the dress are wrapped on the side and fixed with a belt or a broach, bringing the attention to the waistline. Attention: the adherent jersey requires wearing underneath “invisible” lingerie (the one that has no stitches); moreover, if your body is not in the perfect shape, you shall wear underneath correcting lingerie, like corsets and bodysuits.
The wrapping can be made only on the upper part of the dress, on the bodice, keeping the skirt integral, or it can go down to the bottom. The left side of the bodice goes under the right side, this superimposition of the two parts is named “wrapping”, giving the name to the WRAP DRESS. Some modern versions of it may have a visual simulation of the wrap, sometimes made using two different materials, but maintaining the dress integral. The two halves are wrapped and fasted from the inside thanks to a button or stitched, while on the outside a belt made of the same material as the dress goes around the waistline and ties in a bow on the left side. Wrapping the two sides of the bodice creates a beautiful V-neckline which visually elongates the neck accentuating the chest line and taking the attention to the west line, making it look slimmer, and at last, visually narrows the shoulders.
This dress was mastermind built to be easily dressed on and with ease dress off. The style is minimalistic and discrete, making this style dress universal, perfect not only for leisure time but also for business occasions, cocktail hour and festivities.
Best wishes,
Nadiya
MetropolitanMe Blogger