Sweetheart necklines are fueling our obsession with 1980s dresses

Step forward the unlikeliest of fashion inspirations: 1980s debs dresses

Thanks to our ongoing love affair with puff sleeve mini dresses rendered in taffeta and satin, our night out out looks have started to resemble a scene from a vintage American prom.

Fitting snugly into the same retro-inspired ballgown category, sweetheart necklines are also coming to the fore. According to the fashion treasure trove that is Moda Operandi, the €1,100 Maddy top from buzzy New York-based label Khaite was one of the most purchased items on site after the Spring/Summer collections debuted last year. Despite its eye-watering price tag, it’s clear to see why the flattering, body-hugging, décolletage-baring knit captivated an audience — including trendsetter Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

For her most recent runway outing, Khaite’s Catherine Holstein showed the Maddy top in black and white styled underneath corsets and bustiers in a thoroughly modern take on debutante dressing.

At Brandon Maxwell’s country club-inspired showcase, there were sleeveless sweetheart neckline tops with long flowing trains paired casually with jeans, and at Bottega Veneta (arguably the ticket of the season) the lust-worthy but simple little black knit dresses came with an equally-romantic neckline.

Similarly, at Proenza Schouler, trench coat lapels were upgraded to join together in a heart-shaped silhouette instead of the usual double-breasted situation, and Jacquemus presented tight, ribbed cardis with a slightly unbuttoned sweetheart neckline that were just as double tap-worthy as his fuchsia pink runway.

All things considered, this alluring and romantic trend looks set to stick around — and we’re not just talking about until Valentine’s Day has come and gone.

Whether you want to dive in headfirst and go full *throwback Tuesday* with a puff sleeve, sweetheart neckline cocktail dress in a jewel tone, or you want to add a new flattering bodysuit to your wardrobe à la Rosie HW, there’s an option out there for you.

Shop the sweetheart neckline trend now:

Delevan top, €116.38 from Reformation

Sweetheart puff shoulder bow blouse, €19.50 from Nasty Gal

ROTATE Oxana Dress, €290 from BrownThomas.com

Kendall & Kylie Biance vegan leather jumpsuit, €117.07 from Shopbop

By The Way faux suede bustier, €28 from Revolve

Floral puff sleeve mini dress, €89 from & Other Stories

Song of Style Leona top, €152 from Revolve

Sweetheart neck Bardot bodysuit, €18 from PrettyLittleThing

Sweetheart Bardot crop top, €28 from PrettyLittleThing

Saint Genies Sweetheart neck corset mini dress, €47.01 from ASOS

Curve sweetheart neck top, €12.44 from ASOS