The divisive ‘90s trend making a comeback
Remember the bandage dress? That waist-cinching, curve-hugging staple that was everywhere in the 2010s?
Well, it has officially staged a comeback in 2026 and is taking over Australian wardrobes after becoming a ‘hot girl’ staple.
The bandage dress was originally invented in the mid-1980s and became a uniform for ‘90s models and celebrities before evolving into an unofficial nightclub uniform, worn by the likes of Kim Kardashian and Christina Aguilera.
Now, some 15 years after its last major renaissance, the look is back, with the bandage dress hashtag recording a massive 130 per cent increase on TikTok in recent months.
While some critics argue the look is “tacky” and “outdated”, others love that the trend is back in the mainstream.
In September 2024, Kaia Gerber turned heads in a white bandage dress recreated by Hervé Léger.
Soon after, Hailey Bieber doubled down on the look, sporting a Saint Laurent bandage dress at the Fashion Trust U.S. awards and later a vintage Léger number, taking to social media to write: “Herve bandage dresses are back I fear”.
In 2025, singer Olivia Dean wore a yellow strapless bandage dress on the red carpet at the CFDA Fashion Awards.
The trend has also been fuelled by viral social media moments, such as influencer Olivia Boblet’s Hervé Léger TikTok, which has racked up more than 1.7 million views and over 1000 comments.
Many users simply replied “finally!”
The trend has now trickled down from the red carpets to major Australian and international labels, with brands like I Am Gia, Tiger Mist, Oh Polly and House of CB releasing dedicated collections.
Aussie brand Tiger Mist has just launched its EV x TM capsule in collaboration with Aussie influencer Emily Venz, featuring a range of bandage pieces inspired by “90s model-off-duty” style.
Meanwhile, cult-favourite brand I Am Gia recently launched its Aiden Bandage Mini Dress, a $129 “bestseller” featuring a halter neck and horizontal bandage detailing in baby yellow.
British label House of CB has also played a pivotal role in the comeback, reintroducing bandage styles as part of its 2025 15th birthday celebrations.
They started the hashtag on social media #bandageisback that quickly went viral.
Its latest range, priced around $300, includes the “True White” Sculpting Halter and the “Burnt Sugar” Deep V, marketed as pieces that “instantly create a striking hourglass illusion” and offer extreme support.
Despite the hype, the return of the bandage dress has divided the fashion community, with some experts questioning the trend.
Fashion commentator and content marketing specialist Annalise Salm says that while the dresses look “incredible” on influencers, she remains sceptical about the trend’s “chic” factor and accessibility.
Ms Salm says it gives a “2000s party sort of vibe” and can feel a bit “tacky” or like a “trend” rather than a timeless wardrobe staple.
She believes the success of brands like House of CB is largely due to a clever marketing strategy involving creatives and influencers, rather than the appeal of the design itself.
Without that level of social media hype and seeing how people style the pieces, Ms Salm suggests the trend might have flopped, adding that, in her opinion, some versions can look “very cheap”.
However, one professional stylist argues that the 2026 version of the bandage dress is far more versatile than the “clubbing only” version of 15 years ago.
Australian stylist Donny Galella says he is “loving” the return of the look, noting that his clients are embracing the supportive nature of the fabric.
Mr Galella explains that because the dresses are made from thick, elasticised fabric, they hug curves and make the wearer feel “held in” and supported.
He suggests that while the dress used to be reserved for the dancefloor, it is now being styled for work and daytime events.
A modest bandage dress can be “elevated” for the office when paired with a blazer, or dressed down for lunch with a bomber jacket or faux fur.
Meanwhile, a fashion critic on TikTok argued that the trend can’t be separated from “fashion politics and diet culture”.
Hannah Lizzy noted: “Things are trickling back from the 90s heroin chic era, including bandage dresses.”
“They have so much sex appeal, but, not to kill the vibe, bringing back all these trends from the ‘90s also brings back the diet culture from the time.
“And we’re in a societal obsession with thinness and fatphobia.”
She then quoted an article that said, “It might seem like just a dress, but it is never just a dress. Fashion trends for women are never created or pushed without motive, and the overwhelming messaging right now is that we should shrink: our bodies, our autonomy, our opinions.”
Hannah said she’s not calling for a “boycott” of the bandage dress, but urged her followers to think about how to bring back the style in a way that also celebrates women, body diversity and empowerment.