Longer days…warmer nights…the siren song of summer has arrived, and with it, the breezy, carefree elegance of this season’s summer dressing…

Versatile, lightweight, and sweetly carefree are the evergreen calling cards of a great summer dress. But as with all things fashion, every season has its own spin on what moves to the front of the wardrobe. 2024 certainly has some fresh elements to focus on, along with those timeless classics.

Ready to take this season’s dress trends for a twirl? Let’s go!

THE NEW ROMANTIC

After a few seasons now of supersaturated, bright color palettes, this summer we’re seeing a return to the romantic.  Fem-flaunting soft colors adorned with bows and ruffles. Pastoral patterns and floral arrangements. Like a cool summer breeze, these coquettish beauties are refreshingly satisfying.

Whether long and lovely…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Love, Bonito, Scoop Neck Column Maxi Dress $55

• Self-Portrait, Floral Embroidered Maxi Dress $384

• Windsor, Moment Of Beauty Lace Up Floral Maxi Dress $59.90

• Windsor, Charming Vibe Tie-Back Flowy Woven Maxi Dress $59.90

• Sugarlips, Fabiola Pleated Maxi Dress $105

Marvelous and midi…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Paige, Terrazza Dress Ballet Slipper Silk $429

• Sugarlips, Ria Floral Santana Tie Back Midi Dress Curve $109

• Alessandra Rich, Bow-Detail Pleated Midi Dress $865

• b + ab, Floral Print Ruched Midi Dress $100

• Joie, Dami Dress $298

Or short and sweet…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Sugarlips, Paola Dots Tie Strap Tiered Mini Dress $95

• Equipment, Nichole Mini Silk Dress $139 (on Sale NOW from $475)

• Windsor, Cassie Corset Floral Jacquard Party Skater Dress $99.90

• Rebecca Minkoff, Felicity Dress $228

• Windsor, Sparkly Excellence Floral Sequin Mini A-Line Dress $49.90

RETURN OF THE SHIRT DRESS

With the ‘tailored’ look still in full swing, it only makes sense that the shirt dress would be back in force for summer. Always pulled together, it’s one of the best for one-and-done pieces that can be easily dressed up or down. All manner of color and patterns are welcome, but if you truly want to be super on-trend, grab one in stripes.

Long and lovely…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Clare V., Suzette Dress $295

• Anna-Kaci, Sleeveless Jean Shirt Dress $45

• Simon Miller, Loch Poplin Dress $315

• Universal Thread, Long Sleeve Shirt Maxi Dress $35

• Nina Leonard, Maxi Shirtdress $57

Or short and chic…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Michael Stars, Jaxsyn Dress $249

• Equipment, Fatima Dress $350

• Michael Stars, Abby Shirt Dress $148

• Sugarlips, Kaylee Button Down Shirt Dress $89

• Cato, Textured Stripe Shirt Dress $34.99

DRAPING, RUCHING & RUFFLES…OH MY!

In a similar vein to the season’s new romantic look, we’re also seeing an increase in 3 dimensional frilling. From drapey skirting to ruched waists, and ruffles, ruffles everywhere!

Taking it to the max (i)…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Windsor, Raya Formal Chiffon A-Line Long Dress $69.90

• Needle & Thread, Floral Print Cotton Maxi $414

• Windsor, Swept Off Your Feet Button Ruffle Maxi Dress $54.90

• Paige, Carmelia Dress in French Blue $499

• Sugarlips, Luna Striped Fairness Midi Dress Curve $105

Make mine midi…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Michael Stars, Andrea One Shoulder Midi Dress $108

• LoveShackFancy, Emeka Midi Dress $495

• Windsor, Bold Babe Cutout Ruffle Hem Chiffon Midi Dress $52.90

• Love, Bonito, Front Pleat Column Midi Dress $69

• Simkhai, Havana Midi Dress $189.99

Or just keep it short…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Equipment, Ingrid Silk Dress $199 (on Sale NOW from $425)

• 70/21, Ruched Mini Dress $36.99

• Windsor, Flirt And Twirl Puff Sleeve Tie-Back Skater Dress $44.90

• Sugarlips, Moonflower Eyelet Evy Mini Dress $110

• Likely, Ruched-Detail Fitted Mini $186

WHITE OUT CONDITIONS

No surprise on this return trend. When the going gets hot, the hot wear white. This season in addition to the usual crisp whites, we’re seeing softer creams and milky whites joining the fray. As for materials, this season’s white dressing is looking for texture and (surprise, surprise) more than a hint of sheer, crochet and/or lace.

Long and languid…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Kim Gravel, Belle Beach Island Time V-Neck Maxi $26.99 (on Sale NOW from $68)

• Paige, Ginseng Dress $259

• Boston Proper, Mesh Crochet Mix Dress $170

• Joie, Seda Maxi Dress $218

• Michael Stars, Isabella Gauze Midi Dress $38.99 (on Sale NOW from $188)

Short and sexy…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Ramy Brook, Marcel Mini Dress $139 (on Sale NOW from $465)

• A New Day, Mini Bubble Dress $35

• Joie, Ruva Cotton Mini Dress $298

• Sugarlips, Quinana Tiered Mini Dress $110

• Beulah, Mini Dress $99.99 (on Sale NOW from $260)

GIMME A “V”!!

Blame it on the Bridgerton, but last season was all about the square neck. This season however seems to be claiming “v” for victory. Whether you’re a modest show-off or prefer to take the plunge, you can’t go wrong with rotating a v-neck dress into your summer wardrobe.

Viva la long…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Misha, Collection Theodora Halter Midi Dress $52.99

• Lascana, Floral V-Neck Maxi $69

• Rococo Sand, Halter Maxi Dress $197.99

• Sabina Musayev, Astrid Maxi Dress $129.99

• Marchesa Notte, Carnation Midi Dress $179.99 (on Sale NOW from $545)

…and long live the short…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Windsor, Darling Flirtation Tie Strap V-Neck Floral Mini Dress $26.90

• WeWoreWhat, V-Neck Eyelet Ruffle Mini Dress $59.99

• Windsor, Oopsie Daisy Sleeveless A-Line Mini Dress $32.90

• A New Day, Flutter Short Sleeve Poplin Mini Dress $30

• Celina Moon, Mini Dress $59.99

A SLIP OF A THING

How very naughtie of us to bring back the slip dress once again. But seriously, who doesn’t love these ethereal gowns on a hot summer day or a warm summer night?

Whether they’re long and silky…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Michelle Mason, Lace-Inset Long Slip Dress $995

• Rebecca Minkoff, Verona Slip Dress $298

• Wild Fable, Satin Lace Trim Midi Slip Dress $35

• The Kooples, Long Printed Slip Dress $98

• A New Day, Midi Slip Dress $25

…or short and slinky…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Gilda & Pearl, Lace Trim Slip Dress $295

• Nanushka, Merva Satin Mini Slip Dress $269

• Equipment, Rory Mini Sequin Dress $119 (on Sale NOW from $395)

• The Attico, Side-Slit Mini Slip Dress $443

• Saint Laurent, Mini Slip Dress $2,290