Cate Blanchett wore this Armani Prive dress to a photo call a couple years ago, but the trend for subtle open-back tops has trickled down from couture to the mainstream this summer. Different from your usual open-back silhouette seen most often on evening gowns, designers are using draping and panels in new ways. Two sophisticated favorites are the cutaway sleeve that turns almost into a cape in back, as seen on Blanchett but often rendered in a more fluid silk or cotton, and the inverted V-back. For this style, panels that join in a point at the top of the shirt are used, creating an alluring upside-down V of exposed skin. If you want to be extra flirty, you can wear a visible bra, just make it a fashion bra and not your average support style. It's perhaps more classic to forgo a bra if you have that body type, or use molded cups or support that is designed for backless styles. Either way, it's a very trend-forward look that can be a cool detail on a daytime top or provide a little stylish oomph for evening.
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