It's been hard to miss the abundance of polka dots adorning all manner of clothing lately. From spotted statement blouses and swishing midi skirts to accessories aplenty and the ultimate hero item: the polka dot dress. However, summer's arrival has brought with it a new print trend that's set to dominate as this season's biggest pattern. Yep, we're talking about stripes.
Whether horizontal, vertical, or even directional designs, stripes are synonymous with summer – think stripey beach towels and deck chairs – so it tracks that they're emerging in the style space in line with the 20+ degree weather. While spring's penchant for side-stripe trousers offered an early nod to the look, the spring/summer 2026 runways confirmed a striped dress is a must-have right now.
Loewe channeled Joesph's technicolour dreamcoat in a multi-coloured long-sleeve maxi dress, Nanushka provided a preppy take with a polo-collared, tassel-trimmed midi, and Tod's doubled up, layering a stripey coat over an inverted striped shirt dress. Similarly, Missoni's iconic zig-zags were interspersed with striped designs in every direction, and Jacquemus showcased the perfect summer dress in the form of a white and blue diagonal striped floor-sweeping maxi. Simply dreamy!
Naturally, the high street has followed suit, and the styles on offer are just as varied as those spotted on the designer runways. Take Next's linen-blend red and white striped dress, an immediate ‘want’ for our summer holidays, as it will work just as well thrown over a bikini on the beach as it will dressed up with heels for dinner. Or how about Nobody's Child's jersey polo mini, ideal for running errands close to home followed by pub drinks with friends?
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Below, find some of our favourite striped dresses available to shop on the high street now:
Next Red/White Stripe Ruched Bandeau Midi Dress
Nobody's Child Blue Striped Jersey Polo Collins Mini Dress
Nobody's Child Blue Striped Jersey Polo Collins Mini Dress
Mint Velvet Green Striped Midi Dress
New Look Black Striped Drop Waist Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
Reiss Georgie Chevron-Stripe Ruched Midi Dress
River Island Brown Knitted Striped Maxi Dress
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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!
