The Pretty Dress Trend Fashion People Reach for When They Want to Look Chic and Classy

2024 is shaping up to be a great year for fashion, especially when it comes to dresses. With so may dress trends–from cut-out to puff sleeve and maxi–it's tricky to choose just one, but we’ve spotted yet another style that’s proving to be just as prolific on the high street as it is in designer circles.

Formerly associated with ’80s bridesmaid gowns, satin has undergone a reinvention of late. Instead of the heavy duchess satin most commonly found on bad prom dresses, the fabric is gradually become thinner and lightweight, making its overall vibe sultry as opposed to frumpy.

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(Image credit: @_jessicaskye)

Most of us would associate modern-day satin with slip dresses. But it’s used to create just about every silhouette you can think of. So whether you prefer oversized silhouettes to garments cut close to the body, rest assured this is one dress trend you won’t be exempt from. With a luxurious look and touch, we suspect satin dresses will be in high demand for summer weddings and soirées.

However, that doesn’t mean you need to keep them for formal occasions only. With a simple switch of shoes, you can make them work for less formal outings as well. With minis, midis and maxis to choose from, in a variety of gorgeous hues, keep scrolling to see and shop our edit of the best satin dresses to shop now.

Shop Best Satin Dresses

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.