Summer is sundress season, with everything from traditional beach-ready styles to this year’s trending milkmaid look. However, there are other silhouettes that fit the description: A variety of maxis and minis with drop waists, eyelet accents, full skirts, and other features are popular for summer. We spoke with three style gurus on anything summer dress related in an effort to help make sense of the variety of looks that are flooding our feeds. Continue reading for the top 10 summer dress trends of 2024, along with styling advice and must-have product recommendations.
1. Maxi Magic
Maxi dresses are going to be quite popular this summer, according to stylist Audree Kate López, who works out of New York City. “Over the past year, maxi dresses have led the way in dress trends. This Summer Dress, you’ll see a mix of printed, cotton, linen, and silk styles,” she says. One of my favorite summertime silhouettes is this one since it’s airy, loose, and suitable for both a classy dinner and the beach.
The Bec + Bridge Cedar City Maxi Dress, Show Me Your Mumu Long Weekend Maxi Dress, and Rendoll Nadine Dress are a few maxi dresses that drew our eye right away.
Style Advice: Although maxi dresses appear more formal, Lopez tells us they go with anything. “They can be accessorized with heels, sneakers, or even strappy sandals,” the woman claims.
2. Mini Moment Summer Dress
On the other hand, tiny dresses are always a highlight. According to Kyla Flax, head of styling at Anthropologie, “you cannot go wrong with a mini.” Minis provide countless opportunities for both informal get-togethers and formal events thanks to their flirty charm and whimsical appeal. The nicest thing about them is that they make it easy to go from day to night. They can take you from buddy dates for breakfast to weddings and rooftop parties.
The Splits59 Polo Airweight Dress, Showpo Alesya Mini Dress, and Hutch Jones Halter Mini Dress are a few of our top picks for Summer Dress 2024 mini dresses.
Style Tip: Mini dresses can be dressed up or down with accessories, just like maxi dresses. Choose statement sneakers like Adidas Gazelles for a more laid-back vibe; go for platform strappy sandals or chunky heels for a dressier vibe.
3. Drop Waists
You may have noticed that, both on dresses and denim, waistlines are appearing noticeably smaller these days. “Don’t ignore the drop waist style that has made a reappearance this year if you loathe low-rise jeans,” López advises, adding that midi and tiny tube top versions will be particularly popular for Summer Dress 2024. “The drop waist can lengthen your frame and is a fashionable trend.”
The Free People Onda Drop-Waist Tube Mini, Abercrombie & Fitch Drop-Waist Cutout Maxi Dress, and Never Fully Dressed Lola Dress are a few notable drop-waist silhouettes.
Style Advice: Another adaptable silhouette that works for every occasion is the drop-waist dress. According to Flax, “the drop-waist feels like the newest news on the dress scene.” “Both A-listers and celebrities are enjoying this chic silhouette. This trend stands out since it may be easily paired with casual or flat shoes. The striking dress gains a stylish viewpoint when accessorized with a pair of socks and a fisherman sandal or a sleek pointed-toe shoe. Divya Mathur, the chief merchandising officer of Revolve, advises wearing heels if you want to dress things up. She advises us to accessorise it with brown or nude open-toe heels, a tiny neutral shoulder bag, and classic thin gold hoops earrings.
4. Eyelet Details
Desiring to incorporate a delicate touch into your Summer Dress attire? Eyelet is something Flax like to add to the mix. She states, “Eyelet dresses are making a major appearance this summer.” “They’re an essential option for all warm-weather excursions thanks to their delicate patterns and lightweight fabric.”
A few designers who have truly nailed the eyelet trend are Diarrablu Rama Dress, Helsa Petite Eyelet Column Dress, and Anthropologie Somerset Maxi Dress: Eyelet Edition. Many brands are embracing the eyelet trend.
Style Advice: An eyelet dress can be accessorized with a woven bag, gold jewelry, and wrap-up shoes to really elevate that Summer Dressvibe. Eyelet is a versatile textile design that can fit for both dressier dinner events and casual brunches.
5. Voluminous Silhouettes
Ready to experience a royal feeling? Put on a voluptuous silhouette for a fashionable, dramatic look. “Yes, please, more volume,” López cries. “I adore an A-line silhouette, puff sleeves, full skirts, and extra ruffles.” However, you are not required to choose each of those options at once: Wearing a puff-sleeve mini, ruffled strapless dress, or maxi tent dress might easily be an easy way to embrace this trend. Whatever you decide, the over-the-top drama of it all is what matters.
The Staud Landscape Dress, Bardot Fleurette Mini Dress, and For Love & Lemons Clementine Mini Dress are a few of our favorite princess-coded voluminous silhouettes.
Style Advice: “This is the city girl’s take on cottage core, in my opinion—it’s whimsical, romantic, and incredibly enjoyable,” says Lopez. “It works perfectly with an opposing shoe, like chunky loafers or super strappy sandals; it’s like playing dress-up.”
6.Subtly Sheer
For Summer Dress 2024, sheer dresses will be in style along with mesh flats and a ton of other transparent clothing. This year, silhouettes aren’t quite see-through and stylings are a little more understated. That being said, you can still find those, so whatever your taste, you should be able to locate it. Start your wish list with some of our favorites, such as the Showpo Evelynn Maxi Dress, the Free People Sheer Bliss Maxi Dress, and the Free People x Intimately FP Suddenly Fine Maxi Slip.
Style Advice: “Sheer and lace dresses are going to be huge for summer 2024. Wear yours as a cover-up on the beach or wear it with your favorite bralette layered over briefs or mini shorts.” For a sophisticated summertime interpretation of the see-through trend, Mathur suggests matching your sheer dress with strappy heels and a white purse as accessories.
7. Shirt Dresses
The last few months have seen a rise in the popularity of shirt dresses, and after Anne Hathaway’s stunning Gap maxi dress at the end of May, the silhouette quickly became a global wardrobe staple. According to Flax, “a shirt dress is a Summer Dress ime essential that’s breezy and easy.” “The shirt dress offers a tailored look for every occasion, with options ranging from crisp, cinched waists to relaxed and more flowy cuts.”
Just take a look at the variations between the Staud Michelle Dress, the Lurelly Bleu Linen Shirt Dress, the Anthropologie Pollie Short-Sleeve Swing Tunic Mini Dress, and the Sndys x Revolve Button Down Midi Dress. These styles’ diversity demonstrates that there is something for everyone.
Style Advice: What’s a quick way to spice up any shirt dress? Of course, a statement belt. Flak suggests, “Try styling it with a belt or two.” “Shirt dresses can be dressed up with boots and belts for a bohemian vibe, or they can be clean and classic.”
8. Kitschy Prints
Even though dresses in plain colors are very flexible, this summer we’re seeing an increasing number of quirky patterned silhouettes appear on our pages. “Italian Summer is the theme for Summer 2024; we’re seeing prints of food and drink, lemons, oranges, pasta, and even nautical prints with lobsters, seashells, and seafood,” explains Lopez. However, these are not the old, tacky tropical vacation prints that your parents and grandparents wore. It’s stylish and enjoyable, and I really should schedule a trip to Italy right away.
There are a few quirky outfits that are a surefire hit? Instant head-turners include the Show Me Your Mumu Steph Mini Dress, Petal & Pup Mellonie Strapless Maxi Dress, Reformation Noha Dress, and Lisa Says Gah Savannah Cinch Dress.
Style Tip: Despite their tendency to convey a more laid-back feel, quirky designs may easily be dressed up for a date night with the appropriate shoes and jewelry. For an effortlessly stylish upgrade, try wearing your favorite garish dress with gold heels and earrings.
9. Colorful Metallics
Do you want to add a little extra glitz to your everyday life? Or perhaps you just enjoy edgy, dopamine-infused clothing? Metallic gowns in vibrant colors are a must-try for any occasion. Although metallics have been in style for a while, López predicts that summer 2024 will bring more vibrant metallics, sequins, bright colors, and fresh patterns.
The LaQuan Smith Strapless Cocktail Dress is a great option if you like little silhouettes, while the Rendoll Sequin Maxi Dress is a summertime dream in aquamarine. In the meantime, the LaQuan Smith Mockneck Column Gown is a great option if you’re searching for an evening gown and have the means to spend a significant amount of money.
Style Advice: “I adore the concept of dressing up a vibrant metallic dress as a ‘daytime party dress.’ You can counterbalance the ensemble with sneakers, boots, or sandals,” suggests Lopez. “I prefer to wear my hair “undone” and wear minimal jewelry for an air of effortlessness.”
10. Art Class Aesthetic
Lopez brings us back to the art class look for a fun, imaginative summer dress trend. Fringe, ruffles, feathers, beading, sequins, and three-dimensional embellishments are some of the primary texture components that we’ve seen on the catwalk in the last few years—it’s like fashion meets art, she says. “The main elements you’ll see this summer and into fall and winter are beaded details, beaded embroidery, and beaded trim.”
The Eloquii Strappy Paillette Column Dress, the Nasty Gal Tassel Beaded Mini Shift Dress, and the Ramy Brook Lucie Sequin Midi Dress are a few clothes that go well with the art class look.
Style Advice: The key to achieving the art class style is to use creativity when choosing your clothes. When dealing with these dresses, there are no rules: As seen above, go for an extremely tiny and wear it over bike shorts, or go crazy and wear denim underneath. Alternatively, you can go for an artsy, bohemian look by pairing an extravagant short or midi dress with knee-high gladiators.
