8 Fresh Summer Trends That Fashion Insiders Are Swapping Their Staple Dresses For

Ask anyone for their go-to outfit during a hot summer, and I'd be willing to bet that the most popular answer is a white midi or maxi dress. Don't we all have at least one in our wardrobe? There's nothing wrong with the classics, of course, and I would never advocate throwing away a perfectly good piece of clothing. However, the same dress that had me so excited when I first bought it is now starting to feel a bit samey, and I've been busily searching for an alternative.

In my role as resident fashion editor at Who What Wear, I pay close attention to a lot of street style looks for new outfit inspiration, and this year I noticed one trend in particular—fashion people have stopped solely relying on summer dresses. Controversial, I know, but gone are the days when you couldn't move for floral maxis—from London to Lisbon, social media's best dressed are packing separates in their suitcases. And please, don't shoot the messenger.

I could talk about my love for dresses for hours on end, but with this newfound realisation, I've decided to talk about the seven summer fashion trends that have replaced them instead. Some are old favourites (linen is a wardrobe staple for a reason), others are brand new for this year, but from trousers to skirts to a healthy selection of shorts, these are the pieces you'll spot the most now that you know what to look out for.

So, whether you're a dress devotee keen to keep your outfits up-to-date, or you've already stocked up on mix-and-match bottoms and are in need of some outfit inspo, keep scrolling to see and shop the seven anti-dress trends that the fashion crowd are wearing on repeat in 2025.

Anti-Dress Trends Fashion People Are Loving This Summer:

1. Long Shorts

Style Notes: The long and short of it is, we're leaving micro hemlines behind in 2025. This year is all about the Bermuda. Denim, tailored, linen or cotton, the longer the shorts, the better—all you need to complete the look is a simple white tee or tank top and a pair of comfy flats, like Anouk, and you've nailed off-duty dressing to perfection.

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2. Colour-Pop Trousers

Style Notes: Remember when dressing up meant jeans and a nice top? Allow me to introduce the equally chic, top-and-a-chic-trouser. Stick to keeping your outfit simple (like Tylynn's perfect use of black), and let a statement trouser do all of the talking. There's no need for wacky prints when a pop of colour looks so expensive. Whether you opt for pastels, jewel tones or brights, this easy formula is guaranteed to invite compliments.

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3. Maxi Pencil Skirts

Style Notes: Make way, chic new skirt shape coming through, and if you were wondering how to do summer in the office, this could well be the answer. Maxi skirts always look elegant, but these streamlined, column skirts are like the grown-up big sister of the boho skirt, but are more laidback than the OG pencil, so you can wear them on weekends too. Did I mention how great they'll look in autumn, too?

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4. Slip Skirts

Style Notes: It's always satisfying when a trend you bought into years ago is still going the distance. For me, it's the satin slip skirt. Over the last four years, I've worn the same black slip on repeat because it's genuinely one of the hardest-working pieces in my wardrobe. Parties, shopping, dinners, work—these skirts do it all, and I'm screenshotting Leasy's shirt, skirt and sandals combo for later. It's effortless but elegant, a winning combination that I'm determined to get down to a fine art.

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5. Capri Trousers

Style Notes: It just wouldn't be a complete 2025 rundown without mentioning capris, the trouser formally known as the "pedal pusher". And yes, when we first heard the news, we were uncertain about how to pull them off as women over the age of seven, but now it's clear that capris are so much more than the trousers we wore as pre-teens. In the right hands, calf-grazing pants can be the refined alternative to casual baggy shorts. Just be sure to stick to sharp tailoring to keep the look as elevated as possible, just as Marilyn has done here.

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6. Linen Co-Ord

Style Notes: It feels wrong to call linen a "trend" as it sticks around year-in, year-out; however, doubling up on linen in a matching co-ord has felt remarkably fresh over the last three years. Cool girls everywhere are pairing matchy-matchy shorts and trousers with relaxed shirts as part of their summer rotation. Don't worry about sticking to white, though. With more options on the market than ever, you can find matching linen in just about every colour under the sun.

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7. A-Line Midi Skirt

Style Notes: If you adore the breezy look of a dress, but are after the convenience of separates, a midi or maxi skirt is perfect. I love how Marina styled hers with a cosy knit jumper and flats—it's a great ensemble for coastal getaways that waver between way-too-warm and a little too chilly.

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8. Sport Shorts

Style Notes: ICYMI, tenniscore took over last year and is still enjoying a very stylish revival. Preppy jumpers, pleated skirts, caps and all-white ensembles have been filling my feed, but the standout item? The humble (and very retro) track short that looks best with tees, polos, cardigans and matching trainers. We aren't likely to work out in this 'fit, but no one else needs to know that...

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This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.