The weather has finally gotten warm enough to leave the house without a jacket, and we are already planning our summer looks. Dresses are such a staple for summer, as you can throw one in your suitcase and it’s essentially a finished look. These trending styles are perfect for a city break or beach trip, and the early 2000s influence on 2023 fashion means you can find them secondhand.
Ruffle Dresses
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Ruffle dresses were something you would never see until this year. Reminiscent of an 80s prom dress, this super cute style is making a comeback. Ruffles go hand in hand with an asymmetric hem, a train, or just a layered dress, so they are really on trend. Jacquie Alexander has styled this bandeau ruffled minidress with western boots for a country cowgirl look, but it would also look great with slingbacks or gladiator sandals.
Lace Dresses
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Lace in general has been really on trend recently, with lace camis, tights, and skirts all being worn by fashion’s It-girls. So it’s no surprise that lace dresses are becoming more and more popular, whether it’s black lace and a leather jacket for clubbing or a dainty pink lace for a date night. Bethan Roberts went for this dusty rose lace bandeau dress for her birthday, pairing it with a matching floral choker, black knee-high boots, and a 2000s handbag.
Halter Dresses
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Halter dresses were one of the defining styles of the 2000s, making a comeback recently with the popularity of the Y2K aesthetic. A super cute and versatile look, Samira has styled her straps as extra detail on the arms and gone for an exotic-patterned maxi style for dinner in Jamaica.
Crochet Dresses
Crochet dresses have always been a summer staple, but they are definitely going to be a wardrobe must-have this summer. If you don’t want to spend money on one, you could definitely up-cycle something from a vintage shop or get creative and make your own! We love Edie Rose’s bright lime green style, and a bright colour like this would definitely make your tan pop.
Bandeau Dress
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Bandeau dresses are perfect for summer because you can just pull them on over a bikini. Long bandeau tops were super popular in the 2000s, especially paired with a low-rise skirt or shorts, but the 2023 take on the bandeau is a straight tube dress. Whether it’s silk (think Lauren Perez bridesmaid dresses) or graphic like this one Shayley has gone for, this style of dress can be easily dressed up or down for any occasion.
Cut-Out Dress
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Cut-out dresses are very on trend at the moment, with abstract shapes creating futuristic and edgy silhouettes. They can also be fun to layer on top of each other; just watch out for the tan lines! AJ Odudu’s white maxi dress featured angles cut-outs on the sides, creating an hourglass waistline and accentuating her collarbones.
Backless Dress
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Backless dresses are a quintessential summer staple, keeping you cool and allowing you to show off your tan! Cinzia, from The Girls Bathroom, wore this gorgeous pearlescent blue backless halter dress with a long train for the Little Mermaid premiere. This dress would be perfect for a summer party or dinner, especially to match the sea at a beach club.
Denim Dresses
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Denim never really goes out of style, but it definitely had a peak in the late 90s and early 2000s. A major trend for 2023 is turning old jeans into denim maxi skirts, so it is no surprise that denim maxi dresses are being seen on more and more people this summer. Denim obviously goes with anything and can be super affordable if recycled or bought from a thrift store. Daisy has gone for cowboy boots and a bohemian belt to style this light-wash denim dress.
Written By Lucy Walshe
Header Image: @iamsamiira Instagram
