The 11 Best Cowl Back Wedding Dresses of 2023

ariana grande wedding dresss — @ARIANAGRANDE

While designers tend to put a lot of effort into the front of a dress, if you love your backside, a cowl back may be the ideal silhouette for your wedding dress. Featuring an exposed back and cascading fabric, the cowl back flaunts your shoulders, back, and booty for an unconventionally sexy dress. Just look at Ariana Grande who opted for the daring design for her wedding.

With so much skin exposed, you want to make sure everything is executed perfectly, from the fabric, to the neckline, to even the accessories you wore. We spoke to fashion stylists for their advice on how to pick and style cowl back wedding dresses. With their advice, we researched the best cowl back dresses in a range of sizes, styles, fabrics, and price ranges. You will love to see yourself from your guests’ point of view.

01 of 11

Best Ariana Grande-Inspired: Katie May Mary Kate Wedding Gown

Katie May Mary Kate Cowl Back Wedding Gown — Courtesy of REVOLVE

$295 at Revolve

From the strapless bodice right down to the cut-out detail and cowl back, this silhouette almost looks identical to Arianna Grande's wedding gown. Add a simple veil to complete the look.

Size range: 0-12 | Material: Poly and spandex blend | Length: Floor

Price at time of publish: $295

02 of 11

Best Budget: Lulus Eternal Promise Ivory Satin Cowl Back Sleeveless Maxi Dress

$126 at Lulus

This satin dress is all about elegance. The high neck front provides a little bit of extra coverage while still showing off your shoulders and collarbone. The cowl is a little more conservative, hitting right above your waist which is higher than some other designs. A row of buttons bring the eye down over the column skirt and small train. It’s a beautiful choice for the bride who doesn’t want to spend a ton on a dress.

Size range: XS-XL | Material: Polyester, Spandex | Length: Floor

Price at time of publish: $126

03 of 11

Best Straps: Jenny Yoo Pearl Satin Fit & Flare Halter Wedding Gown

Anthropologie Jenny Yoo Pearl Satin Fit & Flare Halter Wedding Gown — Anthropologie

$1,250 at Anthropologie

The best part about cowl back dresses is how they show off your back, and this design fhighlights your shoulder blades even more thanks to a dainty chain of pearls criss-crossing in the back. The front of the dress is equally stunning with a unique pointed halter neckline and a thigh-high slit. The fit and flare skirt hugs your curves and leads into a chapel train. Pair it with some pearl earrings to complete the look.

Size range: 0-26 | Material: Polyester | Length: Floor

Price at time of publish: $1,250

04 of 11

Best Plunging Neckline: Meshki Amanza Maxi Dress

$145 at Meshki.us

For the bride that is ready to show some skin, this dress is it. An extra low cowl back is met by a plunging neckline in the front. The fixed shoulder straps are lined from the same fabric as the dress, giving an uninterrupted visual aesthetic from top to bottom. It tends to run large, so consider sizing down.

Size range: XXS-3XL | Material: Viscose, Rayon, Polyester | Length: Floor

Price at time of publish: $145

05 of 11

Best High Neck: The Bar Pierre Gown

$598 at Revolve

We love the juxtaposition of a high neck and a low back. This one has the effortless ease of a cowl high neck with arm straps for extra support. Three strands of rhinestones make the low back even sexier. Made from 100 percent silk, the fabric will gorgeously flow down your body while also being super breathable, perfect for balmy bashes.

Size range: 00-12 | Material: Silk | Length: Ankle

Price at time of publish: $598

06 of 11

Best Midi: Katie May Pretty Bird Dress

$195 at Revolve

Whether you prefer a midi wedding dress or are looking for a white dress for your bridal shower or reception, the Bird dress from Katie May is an excellent choice. The low cowl back is the star of the simple slip dress. Adjustable straps let you customize the fit and a cowl neckline highlights your declogette.

Size range: XS-XL | Material: Polyester, Spandex | Length: Midi

Price at time of publish: $195

07 of 11

Best Mini: Katie May Glisten Dress

$225 at Revolve

Business in the front, party in the back. This long-sleeved mini dress masters that phrase perfectly. You’ll find no embellishments or frills here—rather a simple boat neck in the front. In the back, the fabric cascades into a low cowl back for a daring look. Let’s hear it for the back of the dress.

Size range: XS-XL | Material: Polyester, Spandex | Length: Mini

Price at time of publish: $225

08 of 11

Best 90s Inspired: The Row Bantelle Open-Back Silk-Crepe Maxi Dress

$2,590 at Net-a-Porter

The Row is known for its effortlessly stylish clothes, and this slip dress aces the assignment, with a very strong nod to the slip dresses Kate Moss wore in the ‘90s. Made from lightweight silk crepe, it has a loose fit, a low scoop neck, and a cowl back. The horizontal line above the cowl is that extra detail that elevates the design.

Size range: XS-XL | Material: Silk | Length: Floor

Price at time of publish: $2,590

09 of 11

Best Off-the-Shoulder: Watters Garance Off-Shoulder Satin Sheath Wedding Gown

Anthropologie Watters Garance Off-Shoulder Satin Sheath Wedding Gown — Anthropologie

$2,311 at Anthropologie

This design is similar to Watters Garance Cown-Neck Satin Sheath Wedding Gown, but it features long, off-the-shoulder sleeves for the bride that wants a little extra coverage. Finished with pearl detailing, a corset-style back, and a long, sweeping train, this sheath gown was designed for the glamour-chic bride.

Size range: 0-16 | Material: Polyester | Length: Floor

Price at time of publish: $2,311

10 of 11

Best Sparkle: Katie May All a Dream Micro Sequin Gown

$1,595 at Revolve

While cowl back dresses tend to come in simple fabrics like silk and satin, this one is covered in white sequins for the bride that wants to sneak in some sparkle. The cowl neckline transitions to ruching along the torso, which makes the mermaid silhouette more forgiving. The cowl is quite low and has the thinnest of straps for a dainty look. A flared train creates that hourglass figure.

Size range: XXS-XL | Material: Nylon, Polyester | Length: Floor

Price at time of publish: $1,595

11 of 11

Best Low Back: Norma Kamali Cross Back Bias Gown

$377 at Matchesfashion.com

There’s low back dresses and then there’s low back dresses like this one. Hitting just above the butt, this gown is not for the faint of heart. The cowl neckline also plunges a bit, showing off your chest. With only two simple criss-cross straps and a train, it’s a design that lets your body do most of the talking.

Size range: XS-XL | Material: Polyester | Length: Floor

Price at time of publish: $377

Meet the Expert

Elisabeth Kassab is a Michigan and NY based stylist and personal shopper specializing in street style looks, personal shopping, brand campaigns, and capsule wardrobes.

What to Look for in a Cowl Back Wedding Dress

Fabric

Now that you've gained all of the swoon-worthy cowl back inspiration, it's time to think through a few of the key details that will ultimately bring your bridal vision to life. Most importantly, be mindful of the fabric you choose. You'll find that most wedding gowns with a low cowl back feature a clean, minimalist fabric such as silk or satin, like The Row Bantelle Open-Back Silk-Crepe Maxi Dress. In order to achieve the gorgeous drape of the fabric, these type of materials often lack structure. Keep in mind that this may not be the look for you if you're seeking a gown that provides structure and boning. Similarly, crepe is a stretchy fabric that appears more matte while gowns featuring satin will have much more of a luxurious silky sheen as in Bridal Couture of SoCal Boat Neck Cowl Back Dress.

Coverage

Next, consider the amount of back you want exposed. For brides with more modest, traditional tastes, opt for gowns that drapes at the waist, like Lulus Eternal Promise Ivory Satin Cowl Back Sleeveless Maxi Dress. Dresses with high necklines and long sleeves are another way to add sophistication that beautifully balances out the bare back. Looking for something a little (or a lot) more sexy? We're here for it! Opt for spaghetti straps, a corset detail, or of course, a daringly low back with that irresistible cowl detail, like Norma Kamali Cross Back Bias Gown.

Undergarments

Combine an open back and figure hugging fabric, and it can be tricky to find the right underwear for a cowl back dress. That’s why we recommend you shop for your dress and undergarments simultaneously, so you can figure out what shade and shape looks best. Depending on your chest size, fashion stylist Elisabeth Kassab recommends investing in some boob tape or adhesive bra options. If the dress has an especially low back, you also want to be mindful of your undies and perhaps consider seamless, low-rise options. The wedding isn’t the time to flash your thong.

FAQ

What is a cowl back dress?

A cowl back is similar to a cowl neckline. It consists of loosely draped fabric that falls along the back.
Are open cowl back gowns flattering?

Yes! An open cowl back is elegant and elongating. It's perfect for drawing attention to your back, waist, and backside. Plus, the pooled fabric accentuates your curves and creates the illusion of an hourglass silhouette. “Open back wedding dresses are so sexy,” says Kassab. “They are also breezy so you won’t be sweating as much on your wedding night.”
How do I accessorize an open cowl back dress?

Kassab recommends shorter veils to let the open back truly shine like as well as wearing your hair in an updo or perhaps in a single braid. Depending on the neckline, you may want to skip on the necklace or consider one that can dangle down your back.

Why Trust Brides

Contributing author Sophie Moore is a former Brides editor and current contributing writer. She earned her degree in Media and Society from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. With over seven years of experience in the fashion industry and over five years of experience in bridal, she is an expert in all things bridal fashion.

Emily Cieslak is an associate commerce editor, covering all things beauty and fashion.

14 Dream Wedding Dresses Under $1,000

11 Cowl Back Wedding Dresses for a Sultry Look