Bows. Cheetah print. Baggy jeans. Cowboy boots.
Among these standout trends of 2024, one style in particular has made a bold return: off-the-shoulder tops. With their wide neckline and season-spanning appeal, they’ve quickly become a favorite across runways and everyday wardrobes.
The off-the-shoulder trend has become increasingly popular across various clothing brands in shirt and sweater designs. The most commonly seen variations of this wide-cut neckline consist of women’s style sweaters and graphic tees. Other options include tighter long sleeves or t-shirts that fit more snuggly around the shoulders, as well as various DIY versions created by cutting up sweatshirts and hoodies with kitchen scissors. Snipping off seams is an idea that has grown tremendously when considering ways to spice up clothing that just needs an extra ‘something’. This cut can be incorporated into multiple seasonal looks throughout the year.
“It works for every single season, so if it’s summer and it’s hot you can wear an off-the-shoulder without being too hot. In the winter, it’s still comfortable,” sophomore Monika Jankowska said.
A Brief History of Off-the-Shoulder Fashion
While off-the-shoulder tops are currently enjoying a moment in 2024 fashion, their popularity is far from new. Historically, the neckline became iconic in the 1950s and 1960s, thanks to French actress Brigitte Bardot. Her frequent embrace of the style earned the look the nickname “Bardot neckline,” as described in Stylewise Direct. Bardot’s influence helped establish the off-the-shoulder top as a symbol of effortless elegance and femininity.
In the 1980s, the style saw a major revival, characterized by cut-off neon and mixed print tops paired with leg warmers. Celebrities such as Whitney Houston helped solidify the look’s place in pop culture with bold, statement-making interpretations. The shoulder slip at the time was a more scandalous, “rebel” idea, and took inspiration from the off-duty dancer look – which Jennifer Beal modeled in the 1983 film “Flashdance.”
More recently, the off-the-shoulder trend peaked in the mid-2010s, when it became a wardrobe staple for influencers and fashion enthusiasts alike, according to Jo-Lynne Shane. However, its popularity waned in subsequent years, only to make a strong comeback in 2023. Fashion publications like Essence highlighted the neckline as a standout item for spring, a trend that continued into winter, as seen in InStyle’s coverage.
“I think [the off-the-shoulder] demonstrates a very important part of fashion because it’s chic and trendy,” Jankowska said.
A Timeless Appeal
Part of the off-the-shoulder style’s appeal lies in its versatility. As noted by InStyle, the neckline works across various fabrics and designs, from casual graphic tees to elegant evening wear. Its adaptability makes it easy to pair with a range of bottoms, from baggy jeans to skirts, ensuring its place in both casual and formal wardrobes.
Like most fashion trends, certain neckline styles are bound to fluctuate in and out. Although this may be true for the popularity or frequency of off-the-shoulder tops in the future, there are bound to be at least a few people still wearing them as it is a less subjective trend. The off-the-shoulder requires no specific print or pattern for it to be incorporated into a top, meaning it can be easily done and worn without a lot of stress on what to pair it with. As for now, the wide cut has lasted through hot summers with thrifted or old graphic tees, and seen in winter months with sweaters and sweatshirts in various stores.
“I wear [off-the-shoulder clothes] probably like once a week. I feel like it’s super cute all around,” sophomore Kaylee Kreitzer said.
