An Ode to the Alluring One-Shoulder Silhouette

The shoulder is a portion of the body that fashion likes to experiment with, as most people, regardless of body type, are comfortable baring it—or at least drawing attention to it. For years, the off-the-shoulder look was king, with the necklines of shirts and blouses gathered around our arms instead of our collarbones. As that trend began to suffer from overuse, designers shifted gears and opted for a one-shoulder silhouette in its place.

The partially covered neckline has been spotted on recent runways ranging from Tom Ford and Bottega Veneta to Carolina Herrera and Area, and with good reason. There’s something alluring about having one arm completely covered while your other side is bare. It creates a contrast between modesty and sex appeal, and it’s a modern way to be sexy without being too overt in your fashion choices, but the important part is how you wear it.

The eye-catching neckline is often reminiscent of ’80s party dresses in shiny, bright materials with one poofy sleeve, but that is not all they are good for. Today your options range from structured blouses to figure-hugging bodysuits and just about everything in between. Therefore, the styling potential also has significant range, but make sure to contrast proportions. If the top is tight, opt for more voluminous bottoms, and vice versa. And if it’s a dress, the styling is basically done for you. Just add some great accessories, and you’re good to go!