The bandage dress's stylish comeback: modern styling tips for every occasion

For those familiar with fashion from the 2000s and early 2010s, you will remember the iconic bandage dress.

This ultra-tight, body-con garment not only dominated the local style scene of the time, but it was also rocked by A-list celebrities from Kim Kardashian to Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton and Beyoncé, while also being prominently featured on top designers' runways.

Revolutionised by French fashion house Hervé Léger, I had several versions of the dress in different colours, fabrics and lengths.

It made me feel sculpted, pulled-together and glamorous. The bandage dress also looks like shapewear disguised as a dress. It hugged every curve and created an instant hourglass silhouette.

But after years in the spotlight, the garment fell out of favour as fashion shifted toward minimalism, athleisure and looser silhouettes.

This was also part of a movement which saw women from all walks of life and from across the world opting for comfort and seeking more diverse representations of style and body shape.

With this in mind, the bandage dress has reentered the fashion world, but this revival is coming with a modern twist.

Instead of the ultra-tight, body-con party staple that defined the early versions, today’s reimagined bandage dress has been updated for a more modern, versatile, and inclusive aesthetic.

This includes designers now using stretch-knit constructions, mixed media, and structural panelling rather than purely rigid banding. For example, a recent Tom Ford stretch-knit mini dress uses panel-like elements and cut-outs, nodding to the bandage tradition without being a literal replica.

Modern bandage dresses also incorporate softer tailoring with A-line skirts and midi lengths, making them more appealing for different body types.

The updated version also features minimalist palettes with neutrals, earth tones, and monochrome replacing neon and jewel tones.

And unlike earlier versions of the dress, which were the star of the show in its own right, modern offerings see it being worn with blazers, oversized shirts or even sneakers for a day-to-night transition.

There is also a focus on more sustainable fabrics as manufacturers are using eco-friendly blends and stretch-knit instead of traditional heavy bandage material.

Celebs and the modern bandage dress

One of the most powerful recent celeb sightings in a bandage dress was when model and actress Kaia Gerber sparked renewed attention by wearing a white Hervé Léger number to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), intentionally echoing her mother Cindy Crawford’s iconic bandage look from the 1990s.

This move ties the revival to fashion lineage and gives the silhouette emotional resonance.

Meanwhile, Hailey Bieber embraced the trend in April with a purple bandage-style dress by Saint Laurent, which incorporated cut-out detailing that disrupts the traditionally seamless “wrapped” look. Her version shows that the silhouette can evolve.

How to style the bandage dress in a modern way:

• Pair a neutral-toned bandage midi with strappy sandals and a structured blazer.
• Try a two-piece bandage set instead of a one-piece dress for a fresher take.
• Go casual with a mini bandage dress, styled with an oversized denim jacket and sneakers.
• Opt for textured versions of the dress, such as ribbed knit, criss-cross weaves, and cut-outs for a less “clubwear” feel.