It's peak summer, and I'm fully soaking up every minute of the remaining warm-weather moments: weekend barbecues, alfresco cocktails, lying by the pool, finishing work early on a Friday, and of course, embracing a uniform comprised of easy and effortless summer dresses. There's no question that an easy summer frock will get you through every occasion on your calendar. So what are the exact dress trends fashion people are wearing this summer?
From polka-dot prints to sleek black silhouettes, below I'm highlighting the styles, silhouettes, and brands the fashion crowd is loving right now throughout the sunny season. Get ready to live in these dress trends for the remainder of summer.
Polka Dots
Polka dots are the It print of summer 2025. They're trend-forward yet timeless, and we're seeing the fashion set embrace the print on everything from capri pants to slip skirts and, of course, dresses. One thing's for certain: A polka-dot dress is a surefire way to look chic.
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Nighties
The overarching theme this summer is don't save your best nightdress for bedtime. We're seeing the fashion set brace embrace nighties of all varieties this season, such as vintage-inspired gauzy dresses, lace-adorned slips, and shift-style minis with smocked necklines. Give them a wearable daytime touch and style them with layered necklaces and chic sandals, or throw one over a bikini.
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Black
Every stylish person I know is suddenly wearing black dresses this summer. Sure, we love of-the-moment butter yellow and baby blue, but if you want to feel put-together with absolutely zero effort required, a chic black dress will be your wardrobe hero. Whether you opt for linen, lace, cotton, or silk, it's become one of the most popular wardrobe essentials for summer 2025.
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Pucci Prints
According to TikTok, it's a Pucci girl summer, and we've been spotting the colorful psychedelic prints on celebs (hello, Hailey Bieber) and fashion influencers alike. Whether you're able to get your hands on a designer piece (top tip: hit the secondhand sites like The RealReal and Etsy for discounted Pucci finds) or opt for similar psychedelic prints from other brands, it's safe to say the swirling print dresses are dominating this season.
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Milkmaid
It's not summer without a white dress, and this season's most popular styles come in pretty milkmaid silhouettes alongside plenty of broderie anglaise, eyelet, and lace details.
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Gingham
Nothing says summer quite like a charming gingham print. The cottagecore pattern has been spotted on a host of dress styles and silhouettes this season with black and red gingham in particular reigning supreme.
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