4 Dress Styles I Expect to See Everywhere Over the Next Few Months
It might have snowed in the UK this week (gulp), but believe it or not, warmer weather is on the horizon. You know what this means: dress season is imminent. Hallelujah! Of course, dresses are a popular choice year-round, but there is nothing like wearing a relaxed, loose-fitting frock (sans wool coat) in milder climes. These one-and-done pieces just lend themselves so well to minimal layers and sunshine accessories. Personally, I cannot wait to leave the house in just a breezy cotton midi dress, ballet flats and a straw tote.
But everyone's dress needs are different, and this season there's a trend to cater to every taste. Whether you're planning for a formal event that necessitates a wow-factor gown, or you're on the lookout for some effortless everyday dresses to plug the gaps in your transitional wardrobe, you've come to the right place. We've identified four dress styles that we think will dominate over the next couple of months, and sought out the very best examples of each.
So, get ready to meet the dress of your dreams, and scroll down to see the key designs on our radar for spring.
1. Ribbed Midi Dresses
Style Notes: For days at home, this modern staple feels like an elevated take on loungewear. But add some low heels, a shoulder back and some dainty gold jewellery, and you're ready for a chic day in the city. This season, fitted silhouettes are stealing the spotlight, and we're also adding some bright iterations to our roster.
SHOP RIBBED DRESSES:
Part of H&M's premium range, this cashmere-blend dress will tide you over until summer.
You could also unbutton this and wear it as a long cardigan over a tank top and jeans.
Every wardrobe needs simple foundational pieces like this.
House of Dagmar has lots of beautiful ribbed dresses, but this raspberry-coloured design instantly caught my eye.
2. Floor-Sweeping Statement Dresses
Style Notes: Maybe it's a delayed reaction to lockdown, or perhaps there's something in the air that's tapping into our dramatic sides—whatever the reason, attention-grabbing event dresses are popping up on our Insta feeds more and more frequently. We're into it, though, especially with wedding season coming up...
SHOP STATEMENT DRESSES:
This is the dress Katherine is wearing in a sleek off-white shade.
Between the voluminous sleeves, the textured finish and the vibrant green shade, this dress looks seriously premium.
3. Transitional Throw-On Dresses
Style Notes: We've hit the awkward period between winter and spring when the weather is unpredictable, and wardrobe dilemmas emerge. To combat this sartorial struggle, stock up on some easy-to-style dresses that you can easily layer a look around.
SHOP TRANSITIONAL DRESSES:
I've been wanting this dress for months, and I think I might finally give in to temptation.
Yes, it's that dress again.
This works wonderfully with knee-high boots, but will also look great with chunky sandals when summer finally arrives.
4. Dopamine-Boosting Dresses
Style Notes: To celebrate brighter days ahead, the fashion set is stepping out in all colours of the rainbow. We'll be taking note and favouring dresses in tangerine, fuschia and cerulean hues for the foreseeable. Consider our moods boosted.
SHOP COLOURFUL DRESSES
The dress all our editors are swooning over.
The T-shirt-style neckline gives this standout dress a casual feel.
You'll feel like a walking wildflower meadow in this pretty dress.
Next Up: I Just Popped Into Mango on My Lunch Break and Wow, the Dresses
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer. After receiving an Audrey Hepburn box set for her 10th birthday and subsequently swooning over the actor’s wardrobe, Bébhinn felt pretty confident she wanted a career that involved clothes. She started her first blog at age 14—the title was a pun, but we’ll leave it at that—and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.
A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor for Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and updated takes on classic designs.
While she still loves Audrey Hepburn films, these days, Bébhinn’s sartorial taste sits closer to Annie Hall’s and Alexa Chung’s. In her spare time, she’s likely cooing over cute dogs on rescue websites, playing folk songs on her guitar and browsing bookshops for new additions to her already-overpacked shelves.
-
The Comfortable and Elegant Winter Dress Trend I'd Pick Over Jeans Any Day
Hear me out.
By Natalie Munro
-
Meghan Markle and Victoria Beckham Both Wore Winter's #1 Dress Trend
If they're endorsing it, I'm in!
By Natalie Munro
-
6 New Winter Print Trends That Will Elevate Your Entire Wardrobe
From colour-blocking to checkerboard.
By Remy Farrell
-
Suddenly, All Of Our Favourite Influencers Are Wearing This French-Style Dress
The perfect autumn dress does exist.
By Natalie Munro
-
PSA: The Internet's Most Famous Dress Just Made a Fashionable Return for Autumn
Say yes to the dress.
By Remy Farrell
-
Meghan Markle Wore a Simple Dress From the Viral Brand That Sofia Richie Loves
A sold-out sign is in its future.
By Eliza Huber
-
Sorry Jeans, I Only Wear Dresses Now—3 Minimalist Styles I Really Rate
Game changers.
By Anna Newton
-
Millie Bobby Brown Just Wore Every British Girl's Fave Summer Dress Brand
Date night done right.
By Drew Elovitz