With summer just around the corner, dresses are on my mind. Once temps hit above 21°C, 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, holiday, and a myriad of summer occasions, dresses are all I want to live in come May, 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 spring/summer 2025 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 6 noteworthy dress styles I'm invest in this year and the 6 styles I'll be retiring (for now). What I will say is that this is my own opinion—if I'm pausing on a dress trend you love wearing, then don't let me deter you by any means. This is just my personal preference for 2025, nothing more! So, without further ado, from a fresh take on floral dresses to strapless silhouettes, scroll on to discover the six summer dress trends I'm excited about this year.
6 Dress Trends I'm Temporarily Pausing on, and 6 I'm Excited to Wear
1. Pause: Strappy, Bandage Dresses
Wear: Strapless Silhouettes
Style Notes: It's all about shoulder-baring strapless silhouettes this summer. Whether you lean into the '90s minimalist trend or go for a bold print or vibrant colour, this sleek silhouette will dominate this season.
Shop the Trend:
This can be dressed down with sandals or up with slingbacks and an oversized blazer.
This dress will hug you in all the right places.
Brown is the new neutral for summer.
2. Pause: Wrap Dresses
Wear: Draping + Ruching
Style Notes: S/S 2025 runways were rife with beautiful goddess-inspired draped dresses and irresistible ruching details. Both 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.
Shop the Trend:
I love the shade of this Reformation dress.
Wear this with gold accessories for an effortlessly chic look.
Such an effortless summer style.
3. Pause: Ditsy Florals
Wear: Rosettes
Style Notes: 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. And luckily, its dominance is expected to continue into fall!
Shop the Trend:
Magda Butrym is known for its beautiful rosette dresses.
Red linen is going to be a hot trend this summer.
This is such a great summer wedding guest option.
4. Pause: Corduroy Dresses
Wear: Denim Dresses
Style Notes: Denim dresses are in the spotlight this summer after dominating S/S 25 runways. Whether you opt for a loose slip dress or a retro minidress, you're guaranteed to look on-trend sporting denim this summer.
Shop the Trend:
This is at the top of my summer wishlist.
The perfect denim dress if you're into throw-on styles.
FRAME is my go-to for jeans, so it's no surprise they've nailed the denim dress, too.
5. Pause: Pinafore Dresses
Wear: '90s Minimalist Dresses
Style Notes: As we've seen, chich and minimalist silhouettes from the '90s are trending. Take a break from Alexa Chung-style pinafores and opt for a sleek and versatile dress that will go with almost everything in your closet.
Shop the Trend:
This butter yellow is so on trend.
This is such an easy dress to style up or down.
If minis aren't your thing, a spaghetti-strap maxi is a chic alt.
6. Pause: Paisley
Wear: Polka Dot
Style Notes: Polka dots never really went out of style, but the print has certainly made an re-entrance that no one expected this season; specifically monochrome styles or white polka dots on a chocolate brown base. Even our very own fashion editor Remy Farrell has gotten behind the classic print this summer.
Shop the Trend:
Such an elegant style.
An excellent dupe for Remy's dress.
The cutest mini that you can dress up or down with a simple switch of footwear.
This piece was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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