Get ready for summertime with a sexy hot-weather dress from the latest summer trends. From brights to whites, you will look hot and stay cool in these dressy fashion finds. This year’s summer dress trends — which include ethnic prints, long and flowing styles, tie dyes, pops of bright color and the classic white — are sure to make you feel sexy anywhere from the office to the beach.
Summer dresses are all about feeling comfortable from the inside out. “Wear what you love and feel good inside,” says Dana-Maxx Pomerantz, founder and designer of Dana-Maxx. “Opt for sundresses and clothing made from lightweight cotton or synthetic materials, which will allow your body to breathe easily.”
Whites and neutrals
Ally Rhoads, buyer for Denver-based ahlivv.com and sales representative for Quiksilver/Raisins, says she believes the popularity of classic whites and neutrals, particularly smoky beiges and nudes, will not only be rockin for summer but they’ll also trasition into the fall.
She recommends the white crochet bodice dress by Free People, priced at $98. The flowing white number has a crochet bodice, silk bottom and empire waist. For a more formal look, try the cotton Belinda Dress at J. Crew, priced at $138. The strapless dress has a fitted bodice, with boning and elastic along the top edge.
Long and flowy
Long and flowing dresses are a big hit this season. Rhoads says she sees both solid and print versions. A great dress for this trend includes the striped floor length long maxi dress by J. Crew, which is available for $375 and is perfect for weddings or other special occasions. For a more casual long dress, opt for designs like Gap’s long racerback dress for $50, available in floral and beige.
Bright colors
“Color is also key to summer attire,” says Pomerantz, who recommends mixing and matching basic darks with fun pops of color. For a bold look, try pieces like the lollipop stripe tube dress from Tibi ($354), which combines all the colors of the rainbow into a fun, strapless number.
Fading colors
Tie dye is back in style, although not in the tacky ’80s T-shirt sort of way. Rhoads says she has particularly noticed a trend in pink fades and tie dyes but other colors in summer silhouettes will do! The crochet tie dye pink dress from Topshop for $65, and the short sleek tie die dress from Nordstrom for $25 are great picks.
Ethnic prints
Ethnic prints are also big this season. A great example is the Seams To Be Dress by Free People for $108. For a brighter version of ethnic, check out the Dakota dress by Billabong for $47, which is a French terry mini dress with bright pinks.
Lace, silk and eyelets
Lace, silk and eyelet dresses are the thing this season. “They’re very cute and very feminine,” says Jana Hanci, CEO of LaunchStyles.
The white eyelet shift dress (Max Studio, $128), embodies delicacy and comfort. Not only that, but it’s doubly trendy with its crisp white color. For the office or a business happy hour, the white shift dress (Plenty by Tracy Reese, $345) combines a creamy lace top with a gray pleated skirt. For a soft, sensual look, opt for pieces like the lace dress by Victoria’s Secret in sugar baby, $98.
Polka dots
Hanci says she has also seen popularity in polka dots and stripes, like this pink polka dot fit and flare spotted around town at Modcloth, $67.
Leave a Comment