It's no secret we've been wearing our summer dresses on repeat all summer long, and we plan to continue for the foreseeable so long as the sun sticks around. We've been wearing them with sandals, closed-toe flat shoes and even boots. While we did turn to our star signs to find the perfect summer dress style for us, there's no reason to limit ourselves to just one dress design. Especially with so many trending silhouettes around right now.
Yep, the SS25 runways were a celebration of dresses in every form. Dior, Bottega Veneta and Jacquemus all shone a light on asymmetric necklines, specifically one-shoulder straps, while Ganni, Alaïa and Coperni focused attention lower down with distinctive dropped waists. Elsewhere, Carolina Herrera, Moschino and Stella McCartney focused on the fabrics, with polka dots emerging as this season's biggest print.
With so much choice, there really is a summer dress for everyone. Keep scrolling for a full debrief on the seven biggest trending dress styles to wear this summer and how to get in on the trend now. The best part? These styles are surprisingly universally flattering, so make that summer dresses *plural* for everyone!
Midi slip dress
Shop Omnes Maisie Dress in Lemonade
Consider us and slip dresses meant to be, because we see no sign of our love affair with this mid-length classic ending, well, ever. From dreamy summer date nights paired with ballet flats to answering your wedding guest dressing quandaries, it's no mystery why this is one of our favourite styles this summer. Now you just need to decide your preferred colour of choice and choose between a simple slip or one featuring lace trim detailing.
Polka dot dress
Shop Ghost Maya Crepe Polka Dot Slip Dress
Everyone is seeing spots this summer, from smaller polka dot monochrome designs on fit-and-flare dresses that feel so ‘50s, to larger splodges adorning strapless silhouettes that are straight out of the ‘90s. Either works, so find the print that calls to you.
One-shoulder dress
Shop Nobody's Child Navy One Shoulder Shirred Midi Dress
If fussy details aren't for you, but you want to inject a little element of something into your 'fit, you need a one-shoulder dress. Don't worry about the tan lines, this style gives you instant cool girl status.
Drop waist dress
Shop Mango Flared Cotton Dress
After being spotted at Jacquemus and Schiaparelli in particular, drop waist dresses have taken over the high street and our social feeds in equal measure. They may seem hard to pull off, but they're actually really flattering thanks to their relaxed, lowered waistline silhouette. From formal red carpet gowns and wedding dresses to easy linen sundresses, the style is surprisingly versatile.
Milkmaid dress
Shop Reformation Balia Linen Dress
We can't think of a recent summer where the milkmaid dress *hasn't* been a staple, and this year is no exception. While Doên still reigns supreme as connoisseurs of this style, all our favourite high street retailers have followed suit with their own iterations of corseted designs offset with ruched busts and waists. For a 2025 update, ditch the puff-shoulder sleeves and opt for a sleeveless milkmaid dress instead.
Babydoll dress
Admittedly, the majority of these dresses have been midi styles, but if you're a mini gal through and through, you can't go wrong with a babydoll dress. With their floaty silhouettes, they work just as well at a festival as they do poolside on holiday. Style with boots when you're at the former, and with flip flops for the latter.
2-in-1 dress
Shop Next Chocolate Brown Jersey Waisted Summer Dress
You may remember this dress style first creating a buzz last summer, and it's back. Featuring a tank top bodice with a mid-length skirt, it gives the illusion of a top and skirt – especially when the two halves are in differing colours or fabrics. It's a throw-on-and-go dress that makes you look instantly put together, which is exactly why we love it.
Follow Alex on Instagram.
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!
