During the summer, dresses are on my mind. Once temps hit above 75°, there's nothing more blissful than taking a break from my usual wardrobe and allowing a single item of clothing to speak to my entire look. Easy, effortless, and reliable for work, the weekend, vacation, and a myriad of summer occasions, dresses are all I want to live in come June, July, and August.
Luckily, we have plenty of fresh styles to get excited about this summer. Determined to add some of-the-moment styles to my wardrobe, I did a deep dive and scoured everything from the spring and summer 2024 runways to what's trending on Instagram. I also got plenty of notes from my fellow editors to see what specific dress styles have the fashion-crowd stamp of approval this summer.
If you're also looking for a summer dress update, you're in luck. I'm sharing 10 noteworthy dress styles to invest in and the 10 styles I'll be retiring for now. From a fresh take on floral dresses to sheer fabrics and strapless silhouettes, the dresses below are sure to get you excited for summer.
Skip: Gingham
Wear: Crochet
Open-knit and crochet fabrics are everywhere this summer in neutral hues, warm yellows, and metallics. So skip the gingham for now and opt for a crochet dress in a sleek and streamlined silhouette instead to keep your look polished.
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Skip: Baby-Doll Silhouettes
Wear: Strapless Silhouettes
It's all about shoulder-baring strapless silhouettes this summer. Whether you lean into the '90s minimalism trend or go for a bold print or vibrant color, this sleek silhouette will dominate this season.
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Skip: Wrap Dresses
Wear: Draping + Ruching
The runways were rife with beautiful, goddess-inspired draped dresses and irresistible ruching details. Retailers and the fashion set have been quick to jump on the pretty trend, and there's no doubt we'll see it in full force this summer.
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Skip: T-Shirt Dresses
Wear: Linen Dresses
Set aside your casual T-shirt dress in favor of a breezy linen dress instead. There are so many chic options with elevated details on the market right now that will have you looking effortlessly elegant.
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Skip: '80s Puff-Sleeve Dresses
Wear: '90s Minimalistic Dresses
As we've seen, chic and minimalistic silhouettes from the '90s are trending. Take a break from puff sleeves and opt for a sleek and versatile dress that will go with almost everything in your closet.
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Skip: Ditsy Florals
Wear: Rosettes
Skip the ditsy prints in favor of bold and beautiful rosettes this season. The pretty appliqué is a trend-forward way to wear your florals this summer. Luckily, its dominance is expected to continue into fall!
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Skip: Tiered Dresses
Wear: Silky Slips
Silky satin slip dresses always look so luxe and alluring. Go for a lingerie-inspired slip with lace or a '90s-inspired silhouette for a look that will seamlessly take you from day to night.
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Skip: Polka-Dot Dresses
Wear: Mermaidcore Dresses
From shimmery sequins to aquamarine hues and cascading ruffles, the mermaidcore trend is going strong this season, and we're seeing plenty of stunning dresses that prove it. Skip polka-dot prints for now, and go for a dreamy marine-inspired style instead.
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Skip: Corduroy Dresses
Wear: Denim Dresses
Denim dresses are in the spotlight this summer after dominating on the spring/summer 2023 runways. Whether you opt for a loose slip dress or a retro minidress, you're guaranteed to look on-trend sporting denim this summer.
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Skip: Leather Fabrics
Wear: Sheer Fabrics
Fresh, fun, and romantic sheer dresses were one of the biggest trends on the spring/summer 2023 runways, and the fashion crowd and celebrities have been all over the transparent style this season. Leave your leather dresses for another time, and opt for a subtly see-through frock.
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This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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