I'm Not a Dress Person, But I Seriously Might Buy Into These 5 New Trends
So I'm not really a dress person. I know, I know. I'm probably in the minority here. Dresses may not be my go-to item throughout most of the year, but by the time it starts to really feel like summer, they're suddenly all I want to wear, and I know for a fact I'm not alone there. So now that summer really does feel within reach, I've been noticing a few new trends have popped up, and I'm totally smitten.
With every new season comes a crop of new trends, but this summer's newest dress silhouettes are particularly lust-worthy if you ask me. There are the retro halterneck dresses that are transporting me back to '70s and the easy minidresses I plan to throw on with sneakers and some gold jewelry. Summer dresses just might be the best dresses of them all, and I happen to think that all five of the below trends are a vibe.
Keep scrolling to see the five new summer dress trends I just know you’re going to love as much as I do.
Short and Fitted
While midi-length dresses ruled in the past, I'm starting to see a return to shorter lengths. Well, not only shorter but more body-hugging, too. Body-con minidresses, while daring, are already a favorite among the celebrity crowd, and I only expect to see more of these basic cotton minis as we move into summer.
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Suited Up
It was really only a matter of time until blazer dresses started to pick up steam, seeing as all manner of suits and suiting motifs are gaining major popularity. Dressed up or down, belted or not, there's something especially fresh right now about a blazer dress (and blazers worn as dresses, for that matter).
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Retro Halters
Ready or not, halter necklines have returned. We saw many iterations of the throwback silhouette on the F/W 20 runways and, what's more, have been noticing some rather chic versions hitting many new-arrivals sections online. So get ready to channel the '70s—or the early aughts, which also saw many a halter dress—with one of these fun picks.
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Pretty Puffs
Billowy and voluminous, this trend stands in stark contrast to the first one I pointed out, but it's no less important. These tiered, babydoll-like silhouettes with puffy sleeves are about the only thing that will seem appealing when the temperatures start to spike. Plus, they happen to be magnets for compliments, just in case that's what you're going for.
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Milkmaid-esque
Remember milkmaid tops? Well, think of these as being everything you loved about the effortlessly summery, gathered tops, only in dress form. Although it's more of a micro-trend, we felt compelled to include it here because they're just too charming to resist.
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Speaking of summer, here is your guide to warm-weather dressing if you like classic style.
Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of the Who What Wear team for over seven years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a number Who What Wear cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.
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