Shop the 7 Biggest Dress Trends For Spring/Summer 2021
The 7 Biggest Dress Trends of the Year Definitely Take Us Back to the '90s
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Even though we've been living in a '90s trends-inspired world for the last year or so, dresses that were popular during the decade are sticking around. The good news is, they're being reinvented in new ways that we find particularly flattering. Puff sleeves are bringing volume to breezy, A-line dresses, making them seem even fancier than they were before (of course, you can always dress them down with sneakers).
Meanwhile, the wrap-effect dress gets an effortless makeover, only giving off the illusion of a sheath you have to tie securely at the waist. Really, these minis are a lot easier to throw over your head, just like the longer caftans you see here that might as well be beach throw-overs. Brightly coloured knit dresses come in all forms — some in '70s halter silhouettes and others with one shoulder or a cutout to help you show skin and amp up the sex appeal.
Finally, feminine details such as ruffles and smocking just give your outfit a noticeable boost after a year of staying inside. Ahead, scroll through all seven dress trends or jump ahead to the category you wish to shop.
- Puff Sleeves
- Brightly Coloured Knits
- Wrap-Effect Minidress
- Cutouts
- Unstructured Caftans
- Ruffle Trim
- Smocked
1 Puff Sleeves
While we have seen long bishop-style sleeves on midis in the past, this year the short sleeve puff takes hold, adding even more volume at the shoulders. Shop the mini or maxi dress version and allow this piece to make the ultimate statement with minimal accessories.
2 Aje Psychedelia Cut Out Mini Dress
3 Apiece Apart Sandrine Dress
4 Mango x Chufy Printed Maxi Dress
5 OMNES Puff Sleeve Smock Midi Dress in Pink Grid Print
6 No Pise La Grama Avila Puff Sleeve Mini Dress
7 Simonett Marina Dress
8 Self-Portrait Canary Yellow Taffeta Mini Dress
9 DVF Heather Cotton-Poplin Midi Dress in Cloud Sky Blue
10 Khaite The Tracy Dress in White
11 Cara Cara Bonnie Dress
12 Oscar De La Renta Balloon Sleeve Cotton-Blend Minidress
13 Brightly Coloured Knits
Take the knits out of the house and onto the street, layering them with bright tees underneath and quirky coloured platforms. These easy pieces can be mixed and matched with any powerful accessory in your wardrobe, like Marc Jacobs's matching gloves, ahead.
Zara Knit Dress ($40)
14 Heaven by Marc Jacobs Knit Mini with Gloves
15 Solid & Striped Kimberly Striped Rib Knit Tank Dress
16 Source Unknown Ribbed V-Shaped Knit Dress in Lime
17 Simon Miller Oline Dress in Pool
18 Christopher John Rogers Striped Ribbed Midi Dress
19 New Girl Order Curve Polo Mini Body Conscious Dress in Checkerboard
20 Tibi Blue Ribbed Cotton and Modal Blend Minidress
21 Jonathan Simkhai Megan Racer Back Dress
22 Bottega Veneta Green Open-Knit Cotton-Blend Minidress
23 Wrap-Effect Minidress
The flirty wrap dress is back, mostly stopping above the knee but incredibly easy to wear, seeing as that many of these designs only have the wrap "effect," and don't actually require a super secure cinch at the waist. With all the beautiful colours and prints, you're bound to find one that fits your style. Cater to your taste with sneakers or sandals.
24 Zara Satin Effect Wrap Dress
25 OMNES Blue Check Puff Sleeve Wrap Mini Dress
26 Ganni Short Sleeve Jacquard Minidress
27 Wednesday's Girl Curve Mini Wrap Dress With Tiered Skirt in Buttercup Floral
28 Rouje Gabinette Dress
29 Nanushka Beech Belted Minidress
30 & Other Stories Knot Detail Mini Dress
31 Faithfull The Brand Godiva Wrap Dress Javelina Animal Print
32 Cutouts
Cutouts were a trend we saw on the fall 2021 runways, so we know they'll be sticking around through summer and leading up to winter. If you're looking to (finally) get event ready and you want to show some skin, this detail is one to consider. Whether you opt for a larger cutout at the side or a smaller slash at the mid-section, there are many options to choose from.
Andrea Iyamah Reni Dress ($225)
33 Farm Rio One-Shoulder Open-Waist Midi Dress
34 Zara Satin Effect Cutout Dress
35 Amalfii Mountain View Dress
36 H&M Linen-Blend Dress
37 Matthew Bruch Colorblock Halter Linen Mini Dress
38 Aliétte Diana Dress
39 Cult Gaia Thera Dress in Jaipur
40 Proenza Schouler Matte Jersey Drawstring Dress
41 Unstructured Caftans
Even if these breezy dresses, which range from linen to cotton and silk, aren't meant to be worn over a swimsuit, they sort of mimic the style of your classic cover-up. An unstructured, breezy fit that blows in the wind helps us make the transition out of our pajamas into the real world in 2021.
H&M Linen-Blend Dress ($50)
42 Zero + Maria Cornejo Rae Caftan
43 Zara Ring Strap Dress
44 Cult Gaia Inga Dress in Blue Wave
45 The Frankie Shop Pera Linen Maxi Dress in Toffee
46 Étoile by Isabel Marant Virginie Dress
47 Mango Printed Strap Dress
48 Tory Burch Stone Embroidered Tussah Silk Maxi Dress
49 Ruffle Trim
This feminine feature makes mini and midi dresses look more playful and modest and adds extra dimension to cocktail dresses beautiful enough to wear to weddings or other events this year.
50 & Other Stories Embroidered Ruffle Bib Mini Dress
51 Rebecca Taylor Short Sleeve Adela Voile Dress
52 ASOS Design Curve Textured Ruffle Swing Mini Sundress
53 LoveShackFancy Marion Ruffled Floral Mini Dress
54 3.1 Phillip Lim Pastel Yellow Tie-Detailed Ruffled Cotton Poplin Minidress
55 Self-Portrait Green Cotton Midi Dress
56 Sea Waverly Dress
57 Miu Miu Printed Georgette Dress
58 Smocked
Smocked dresses take us back to the '90s this year, mostly decorating the bodice of a dress, but oftentimes inspiring gathered fabric on the skirt, too. Chances are you've already seen crop top versions of the look making the rounds on TikTok.
Wilfred Tempest Dress ($168)
