During the summer months, a lightweight dress is a wardrobe essential. Think of it as the warm-weather version of the little black dress – effortless, versatile, and easy to throw on when temperatures spike. But unlike its classic counterpart, which is often worn for more formal occasions, it also needs to feel relaxed and comfortable enough for daytime peak summer heat. I want as few restrictions as possible, so anything that feels ultra-light is an instant yes. That’s exactly why the lace-trim dress has become a go-to this season for its barely-there feel, easy styling, and understated yet elevated look.
We’ve seen the slip-inspired silhouette on the runways recently, where designers like Fendi, GCDS, and Off-White showcased everything from long and knee-length versions to flirty minis. From neutral colours to bold prints, what tied them all together was the delicate lace trim – a detail fashion clearly can’t get enough of right now (lace-trim shorts and asymmetrical lace-trim tops have all popped off recently, too!) The embellishment adds a romantic, elevated touch to what would otherwise be a simple dress.
Street-style stars have quickly taken a liking to the lace-trim dress, too. People are having fun styling them with flip-flops and simple jewellery for a laid-back look, or dressing them up with stiletto heels and oversized sunglasses for a glam moment. Because despite sounding fancy, the best lace-trim dresses are versatile enough to be dressed up and down.
I’ve become a big fan of the style, so I went down a deep shopping rabbit hole to find one that I can reach for all summer long, and this pretty design from Zara absolutely fits the bill. First of all, I love the on-trend pistachio green colour, and the longer length makes it feel especially elegant and expensive-looking. I'm also a fan of the double layer effect that promises to be super flattering as well as featuring the lace somewhere other than the hem. To all my coworkers – don’t be surprised if you see me wearing this four times a week!
Zara Contrasting Lace Midi Camisole Dress
Shop more lace-trim dresses here:
Abercrombie & Fitch Bra-Free Lace-Trim Button-Through Midi Dress
Abercrombie & Fitch Bra-Free Lace-Trim Button-Through Midi Dress
New Look Light Yellow Lace Trim Bias Cut Midi Dress
Reformation Jessalyn Silk Dress
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
