Put the Jeans Down—These 6 Dress Trends Are Taking Over This Summer

2025 is the year of fashion’s new horizon, with new ways of thinking (see: shoe hybrids like Mary Jane trainers), surprising comebacks that no one saw coming (looking at you skinny jeans) and, as it turns out, a newfound reverence for dresses.

Indeed, the one-and-done wardrobe staple has been given a makeover. No longer are dresses breezy slip-ons for days where you can’t be bothered to think about what you put on your body, but a tasteful way to adorn yourself. This year, the major 2025 dress trends are all about sumptuous materials, sweet hues, a sense of whimsy and cuts that contour to the body.

Sure, this might be the year that cemented the return of bohemian chic, encouraged everyone to live out their coastal fantasy with the rise of "fisherman core" and continued the merry-go-round of creative directors. But on the runway and in real life, there’s a resounding sense of elevated simplicity that has emerged with the leading dress choices. Of course, I’m not alone in this observation.

"For the upcoming season, I’ve seen a real focus on styles that feel bold yet wearable," notes Simone Oloman, Co-Founder and CEO of Need It For Tonight. "For example, tailored midi dresses with sleek, asymmetrical cuts are resonating for their understated sophistication. Meanwhile, the romantic trend is still alive and well, with tiered ruffles and flowing silhouettes.

"When it comes to colours and prints, jewel tones like deep emerald and sapphire are dominating for event-ready eveningwear, adding richness to occasionwear wardrobes," Olomon continues. "At the other end of the spectrum, we’ve seen a lot of shoppers gravitating toward pastels and metallic finishes—gold and silver especially. In terms of prints, artistic florals and abstract patterns are still trending."

Olomon adds that the thing she loves most about the leading 2025 dress trends is their versatility. "They’re not just for events: invest in the right piece, and it can carry you through everything from work events to casual weekends with a simple change in styling," she says. "This adaptability makes them a perennial favourite among our users, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon."

So, with that in mind, we've assembled a roster of dresses not to be ignored. From the luxurious fabric designed to make the wearer look and feel fabulous, to the trending colour you might not have seen coming, keep scrolling for our pick of the dress trends that will cater to every style and aesthetic over the months to come. All you have to do now is choose your accessories.

The 6 Defining Dress Trends of 2025

1. The Satin Touch

Style Notes: Liquid, metallic silks and satins poured down the runways from Tove to Victoria Beckham this season, a reminder of just how opulent a simple dress silhouette can be. From cap sleeves to plunging V-necks, expect to see plenty more silk and satin dresses on the fashion set over the year, usually in elegant shades such as pistachio, chocolate brown, cream and the shade du jour: glass slipper blue. The best part? You don't have to spend four figures to look like you did. There's a fluid dress for every budget.

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2. Blossom and Blush

Style Notes: We called it—Glinda-coded powder pinks have been on our minds since they first emerged in the spring/summer 2025 runway shows, the Wicked press tour and at the 2025 Oscars. It's true, the pretty and playful shades of baby, blush, and blossom pinks are the only shade everyone is talking about right now. Joyous, vibrant, and undeniably uplifting, this dopamine-inducing colour has a fresh feel that can brighten any outfit, but particularly in the form of sweet dresses.

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3. Strapless Silhouettes

Style Notes: The resurgence of noughties and '90s fashion trends over the last few years has brought back a few unexpected pieces (we're looking at you, cargo pants, wedges and butterfly clips), but one trend we're happy to welcome back is the "tube" or bandeau dress. Versatility is the key to the success of this minimalist dress that relies on its sleek silhouette to make the biggest impact. Whether you're packing your suitcase for summer or dressing it up with heels for a night out, minimalists will love a strapless, no-fuss approach to dressing that elongates the body and flatters the décolletage.

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4. Slip Into It

Style Notes: Following in the footsteps of the '90's bandeau, the grungy slip dress has undergone an elevated upgrade for 2025, and the negligeé nightgown is the designer's dress of choice when it comes to all things slinky and sensual. What other dress would work equally well for weddings, date nights and bedtime after all? And although retro styling would suggest pairing such a pretty dress with oversized knits and heavy boots, the spring/summer 2025 runways played up the pretty factor by styling them with barely-there heels for an unforgettable red-carpet-ready look.

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5. True Romance

Style Notes: If the word "romance" conjures up thoughts of whimsical frivolity (and not in a good way), 2025 encourages us to lean into hyper-femininity as a strength, as powerful yet romantic dresses took over the runway. Dynamism needn't mean power suits and shoulder pads, when mesh, ruffles and bows are arresting enough on their own, and yes the soft strength of a pastel palette can be groundbreaking when presented as gauzy layers that show just a hint of skin.

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6. Drop Dead Gorgeous

Style Notes: If you hadn’t noticed already, the chicest design choice of late is to have your dress fall from the hip. Indeed, drop waist dresses are taking over. An answer to the endless high-waisted jeans? Perhaps. An elegant motif? Most definitely. At Chanel’s autumn/winter 2025 show, denim scoop neck dresses flowed into a circle of tulle from the model’s top thigh, while Saint Laurent exaggerated the effect further with ballooning satin ball gown skirts. Elongating the torso is always a good idea, and this small but mighty detail does wonders at achieving it.

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