When it comes to my list of 2023 purchases, a chic dress ranks high. While pants and trousers have certainly been in the limelight this past year (read: cargo pants, tailored trousers, baggy jeans, etc.), dresses remain an integral part of our year-round wardrobes. They're reliable for work and the weekend, and they're always there to see us through a myriad of occasions.
Luckily, there are plenty of fresh styles to get excited about ahead of the upcoming spring season. To dive in further, I've scoured the spring/summer 2023 runways to bring you an overview of the most noteworthy dresses to invest in this year as well as what dress styles I'll be retiring (for now). From the freshest take on floral dresses to sheer fabrics and asymmetric silhouettes, read on to see what's in (and out) for dresses this spring.
Skip: Shirred Fabrics
Wear: Sheer Fabrics
Fresh, fun, and feminine—sheer dresses were perhaps one of the biggest trends on the spring/summer 2023 runways with designers from Prada to Tory Burch showcasing transparent frocks in a myriad of pretty ways.
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Skip: Ditsy Floral Prints
Wear: 3D Florals
Florals for spring take on a whole new meaning this year. Skip the ditsy prints in favor of bold and beautiful flower appliqués (or what we like to call the rosette trend). We've already seen influencers and celebrities embrace these stylish corsages that are set to continue their dominance into the new season.
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Skip: Wrap Dresses
Wear: Draped Dresses
It's all about dressing like a goddess this spring thanks to designers such as Saint Laurent and Ferragamo gracing the runways with cascading dresses of liquid jersey, sheer organza, and chiffon—serving us fresh and romantic silhouettes to wear at our next special occasion.
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Skip: Baby-Doll Silhouettes
Wear: Strapless Silhouettes
The '90s aesthetic continues its dominance into spring, with strapless tube dresses, in particular, reigning supreme. This season's iterations come in everything from classic black maxi hemlines to icy pastel hues and silhouettes cut looser from the body.
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Skip: Neon
Wear: Shine & Shimmer
Sparkles for spring? Yes indeed. Designers presented glitz and glam in everyday dressing—from pastel-hued sequins to liquid silver metallics, crystals, and lamé fabrics—proving that life's too short not to wear sequins year-round.
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Skip: Gingham
Wear: Crochet
Crochet was practically everywhere on the runways in the full gamut of colors, from natural hues to yellow and gold. We saw plenty of fresh takes on the trend that we're bound to see in stylish beach looks come summer.
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Skip: Tiered Hems
Wear: Bubble Hems
If you're looking for a dress trend that feels completely unique, look no further than the bubble-hem offerings from designers such as Ulla Johnson and JW Anderson, who brought us playful and modern iterations of a style that's long been regarded as outdated.
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Skip: Corduroy
Wear: Denim
Yes, denim dresses are back in 2023. Perhaps one of the easiest and most wearable trends you'll try this spring/summer, this year's iterations come in a delightful array of washes and varying lengths—with many softer denim fabrics coming into play.
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Skip: Orange
Wear: Black
Perhaps the most dominant and versatile color on the runways was black—spotted on no less than 4000 looks. There's a style for everyone this season, from cutout maxis to simple slips.
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Skip: Cowl Necks
Wear: Asymmetric Necklines (& Hemlines)
Asymmetry was pervasive on the spring/summer 2023 runways. One-shoulder necklines, sleeves, and angular hemlines were seen in full force, leaning into the trending Y2K aesthetic.
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Up next, 8 Denim Trends Fashion People Will Wear in 2023 That Aren't Jeans
