Why to Shop the Popcorn Dress in 2022

Love at first sight exists in fashion. You can lock eyes with a garment in a runway recap, or a street style gallery, and know you'll do almost anything to make it yours. For a number of people, that lightning bolt moment happened to intersect with a semi-controversial throwback trend: the popcorn dress. Specifically, Mara Hoffman's Amy Dress.

"I knew I had to get my hands on this 90s inspired scrunchie dress ASAP," TV host and style creator Katie Sands told BAZAAR.com. Nicolette Mason, an NYC brand strategist and creative consultant, had a similarly instant reaction: "You know those pieces that etch themselves into your memory the moment you see them? For me, the Amy dress by Mara Hoffman is one of them."

The "Amy" is a body-hugging midi dress with long sleeves and that recognizable texture. (Google "popcorn dress," and it appears ahead of popcorn-style pieces from Stella McCartney and Marine Serre—as well as literal popcorn box costumes.) The dress features a knit from Tencel, an eco-friendlier fabric, and an abstract black and white print.

Mara Hoffman Amy Midi Dress

Mara Hoffman Amy Midi Dress

Now 40% Off

Amy has steadily trickled into my Instagram feed over the last six weeks, but it hasn't reached over-saturation like so many It-Bags and nostalgia trends. And it's more accessible than items with bigger viral followings, as it's sold in sizes XXS to 3X.

The must-buy appeal traces back to that distinctive throwback fabric. "Mara Hoffman’s Amy dress transcends the typical bodycon dress because of its amazing textured fabric," Intermix chief merchant Divya Mathur tells us. "It’s sexy and graphic, while still being fun." (It's also still in stock on their site.)

"The dress is such a bold statement piece," agrees brand designer Konyin Ayuba. "It gives an elevated sexiness that does all the work, so I keep it simple with some heirloom jewelry and a strappy open-toe shoe."

Amy is easy to style and easier to put on: bodywear designer Lindsi Lane Watts and stylist and interior designer Hema Persad each told me they were struck by the dress's comfort level. It may feel more like loungewear than club wear, but it's still dressy. Watts styles hers with Valentino heels and an Hermes Kelly for "that extra pop and shine with gold hardware."

How to Wear Mara Hoffman's Amy Dress

"I felt like it was a good investment piece because it’s season-less," Persad adds. "You can wear with tights and heels in winter, like I did, and sandals during summer."

The beauty of the Amy dress and its eco-friendly fabric is it's knit to last—the it's not trend-driven, like so many other internet-famous items. For her part, Sands already has weeks of outfits revolving around the Amy planned: "I have no doubt you'll be seeing this dress come spring and summer for engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, and everything else!"

And if you really fall hard for this soft dress, Mara Hoffman has more popcorn dresses where she came from.

Halie LeSavage is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's BAZAAR. Her style reporting covers everything from reviewing the best designer products to profiling emerging brands and designers. Previously, she was the founding retail writer at Morning Brew and a fashion associate at Glamour.

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