Fashion Clothing Summer 2021's Sexiest Dress Trend Is Secretly 90 Years Old Bring on the backless designs. By Avery Matera Avery Matera Twitter Avery Matera is a New York-based writer who covers all things fashion, style, beauty, and interior design. In addition to writing, she is also a travel and portrait photographer. InStyle's editorial guidelines Published on April 7, 2021 @ 04:30PM Pin Share Tweet Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Photo: Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images If you're looking to show some skin this summer, but aren't a fan of the up-to-there slit or down-to-there V-neckline, the backless dress is the slightly scandalous trend for you. While it's sexy in a subtle way, and cool enough for the hottest days, it also has a long and fascinating history that might make you appreciate these pieces a bit more. 10 Cute Summer Outfit Ideas to Wear in 2021 Backless dresses actually date back well into the 1930s. With a nipped-in waist and elegantly long silhouette, many evening gowns left little to the imagination when it came to a woman's back. Sure, clothing as a whole might have been more conservative nearly a century ago, but designers certainly knew how to design a dress that showed off a little skin. Years later, in the 1980s, backless dresses came back for another trip around the sun. Many featured a high neck in the front, designed almost backwards, and were accentuated with a long necklace hanging down a woman's spine. For the '90s and '00s, ultra-low backless dresses were in style, most notably with slip dresses that showed up on the red carpet and nightclub dance floors alike. For summer, this small yet statement-making detail is once again on our shopping list. In addition to the updated trend including sleek, silk slipdresses with a barely-there rear, flouncier puff-sleeve dresses have also gotten the backless treatment, creating a sassy-but-sweet vibe that plenty of fashion lovers are already craving. We're Still Not Over the Confusing '00s Dress-Over-Pants Trend — and Now It's Back Ahead, draw a bit of inspiration from the decades that came before, then shop the best backless dresses for every budget, just in time for warmer weather. The '80s Keystone/Getty Images Take a note from Princess Diana and style your backless dress by wearing a long strand of pearls backwards, letting them cascade down your spine. The '00s Chris Polk/FilmMagic Hilary Swank's stunning Guy Laroche look from the 2005 Oscars is one that will forever remain on the Best Dressed list. It was all business in the front and a total party in the back. With a Tie Raymond Hall/GC Images Many opt for a totally open-back with no closure to speak of, but whether you're going with an evening gown or a daytime sundress, consider a style that ties at the nape of the neck, like Priyanka Chopra's red version. Long-Sleeved Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Though you don't need to embrace butt-fashion with the visible thong trend, you can still channel Hailey Bieber on cooler days and nights by opting for a high neck and long sleeves, covering up all but a totally open back. If Low-Rise Makes You Cringe, You'll Really Hate Thong Jeans Mini AB+DM Silky and slinky tend to be a go-to for Y2K lovers but that hardly sums up the backless mini. Instead, search for something pleated and extra flowy, much like the Hanifa design Zendaya wore on InStyle's September cover. Voluminous Styles Christian Vierig/Getty Images Voluminous silhouettes lend themselves well to the open-back trend, with one extreme effortlessly balancing out the other. Sundresses Christian Vierig/Getty Images A simple white sundress is made endlessly more interesting with an open-back detail that features a few slim ties for support. Now, shop a backless dress for yourself. Réalisation Par The Goldie Courtesy Shop now: $195; realisationpar.com Faithfull the Brand Lorica Open-Back Shirred Linen Mini Dress Courtesy Shop now: $199; net-a-porter.com Amalfii Two Brunch Palms Knit Dress Courtesy Shop now: $48; amalfii.com Anemos The K.M. Tie Mini Dress Courtesy Shop now: $265; anemosswim.com Victor Glemaud Long Sleeve Turtleneck Dress Shop now: $595; fwrd.com Staud Mini Alix Dress Courtesy Shop now: $325; shopbop.com Eloquii Textured Cotton Easy Day Dress Peathegee Inc/Getty Images Shop now: $110; eloquii.com Reformation Avant Long Sleeve Open Back Dress Courtesy Shop now: $118; nordstrom.com Nasty Gal Linen Puff Sleeve Backless Dress Courtesy Shop now: $27 (Originally $53); nastygal.com AFRM Zelda Open Back Midi Dress Courtesy Shop now: $138; nordstrom.com Ioannes Open-Back Asymmetric Floral-Print Stretch-Jersey Mini Dress Courtesy Shop now: $510; net-a-porter.com Zara Linen Blend Midi Dress Courtesy Shop now: $50; zara.com For Love & Lemons June Mini Dress Courtesy Shop now: $222; revolve.com