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.
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
The bow details only add to the prettiness of this dress.
The bodice, the drapery, the colour—this dress is basically perfect.
The little black dress is made more fanciful in satin fabrics.
This dress is a fashion person favourite, and I'm really enjoying this new colourway.
Leopard print is very much in this season.
So stunning—just add gold sandals.
The combination of satin and monochrome polkadots always works.
The ruffles and puff sleeves only add to the loveliness of this pink midi.
If you think this dress looks good from the front, just wait until you see the back...
& Other Stories has some of the best satin dresses this season. Case in point.
This unusual print will ensure you stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons.
This dress comes in so many shades (I own it in the cream and black).
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.
-
Law Roach's World: His New Book, Bag of Choice, and What He Grabs on a Target Run
"[Styling] has made my world so much bigger."
By Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
-
Sienna Miller's Under-$200 Madewell Dress Is So Chic She Wore It on the Red Carpet
It's somehow still in stock.
By Allyson Payer
-
Last Call: These 30 Fashion Finds From Amazon's October Prime Day Are Guaranteed to Make Your Outfit Look More Elevated
Chic and affordable? Yes, please.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
I'm in My 20s—Here Are 6 Style Lessons I Learned to Look More Polished and Grown-Up
Sophisticated styling 101.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
Mindy Kaling's Cute $75 Dress Is Destined to Sell Out at Nordstrom
Come one, come all.
By Drew Elovitz
-
Bring On the Compliments—These 32 Mango Dresses Are on Major Sale and Ready to Turn Heads
Under $50 and dangerously close to selling out.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
8 Copenhagen Street Style Trends I Plan to Replicate in New York
Pared back yet never boring.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
Eva Mendes Wore the Anti-Trend Dress Style That Looks Expensive Every Time—Guaranteed
I'd pick it over an LBD any day.
By Eliza Huber