Spring Dress Refresh: 11 Must-Try Trends for 2024
It may appear that the weather is unable to decide, but spring has arrived. We still need to make the transition but we are looking forward to the sunny, warm days that will be coming in the months and weeks ahead. Dresses are the perfect garment to refresh your wardrobe when you’re dealing with a change in climate. Dresses make it easy to decide what to wear. Just pick out a dress, choose a pair that suits you, accessorize as desired, and voila! You’re ready to go. We’re excited to see what the spring 2024 dress trends will be. As we move into spring, fashion continues to evolve, with an emphasis placed on bold colors, prints and statement styles, says Never Fully Dressed CEO Lucy Aylen. This season, we’re drawn to delicate fabrics and intricate details. We also love breezy cuts. These are the elements that set the tone for classic styles with a contemporary twist. Check out the top 11 spring dress trends for 2024. They also include styling tips.
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Boho Crochet
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According to Aylen and New York City-based stylist Audree Kate Lopez, boho-inspired dresses–particularly of the crocheted variety–are bound to be everywhere this spring and beyond. Lopez says that knit and crochet dresses are a good alternative to sheer dresses if you don’t like them. “I love these dresses as transitional dresses from winter to spring. Keep the sheer dresses in the summer for extreme heat.”
We were immediately drawn to a few crochet dresses. The Andrea Iyamah Crochet Dress (540 dollars), the Eloquii Crochet Maxi Dress with Collar & Frill ($78), and For Love & Lemons Olina Crochet mini dress ($229 dollars). Looking for something more daring? You’ll swoon over the Never Fully Dressed red crochet Valentina Dress ($255), as well as the Farm Rio Colorful Stripes Crochet Mini Dress ($450) or Show Me Your Mumu Happiness Halter Mini Dress (88).
Styling tip: “Embrace the trend by choosing a boho chic crochet dress with woven sandals for grounding and layering jewelry to add interest,” Aylen recommends. “Neutral colors and bold crochet patterns will elevate any outfit.” Another option? Lopez suggests wearing crochet dresses with boots. She says to embrace the retro boho meets cowgirl vibes of this trend. “I love the patchwork style. It’s boho and whimsical. And it makes a statement. Patchwork is a great choice if you like prints and color blocking. The patchwork trend has been seen in denim, outerwear and handbags. It is a throwback to the 1970s.
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Creative Cutouts
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The fashion of the early aughts continues to influence modern style, but Lopez says we are beginning to move away from the completely bare belly. We’re now seeing more cutout dresses. She explains that this year you will see more strategically cutout dresses. “You will see more keyhole cutouts in the chest, hips, upper waist, and ribcage this year.”
Some of the cutout dresses we have purchased include the Farm Rio Adidas Farm Psychedelic Red Dress ($90), Abercrombie &Fitch Giselle Maxi Dress ($150) and Simkhai Alex Cut Out Dress (395).
Style Tip: Cutouts are available in many shapes and sizes. Aylen suggests choosing a dress that has strategically placed cutouts to emphasize your curves and create visual interest. Pair with statement accessories for a contemporary and bold look.
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Long white dresses
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There’s a myth that little black dresses or white dresses only work for the summer. Lopez says that while the LBD is still a classic, the long white dress will be a great option for spring and summer. A mini or midi dress is also acceptable. But this year we’re seeing maxi-length white dresses on the runways and in social media. The long, white maxi dress is a classic and timeless look that screams “old money aesthetic” or Nancy Meyers.
Suzanne Smallshaw is Rent the Runway’s senior director for fashion and styling. She says that designers are moving away from bright colors and choosing swan-white dresses, which exude sophistication and purity. White dresses, whether they are sheer or embroidered, are a season-long must-have.
Want a white dress now? Re Ona Maxi Knit Dress (165), Maeve the Soren Long Sleeved Shirt Dress (148), Hutch Amara gown ($394) and Free People Ultraviolet Dress (168) are all gorgeous.
Style Tip:White goes well with any color, neutral or bold. Lopez suggests pairing this look with brown or white sandals and a sweater around the shoulders.
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Bold prints
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Are you tired of neutrals or solid colors? Opt for an interesting printed dress. Smallshaw says that animal prints are a great way to express confidence and allure. Aylen says that all prints will be welcome in 2024, including leopard and zebra prints. She says that the trend draws inspiration from traveling, different cultures, art and history, adding storytelling elements to pieces, and introducing colors in prints for a feel-good look.
Some printed dresses are sure to make a statement, such as the Autumn Adeigbo Debbie Dress (450 dollars), Reformation Felda Midi Dress (278 dollars), and H&M’s Oversized Zebra Shirt Dress (26 dollars).
Styling tip: Aylen suggests that you use patterns and colors to express your personality. Smallshaw says to use patterns to create an accent. Smallshaw says to “incorporate animal prints into your dress by using statement accessories, or choose a bold animal-print dress as the focal piece of your outfit.” Aylen says to “ground prints with neutral shoes and accessories.” If you like a maximalist look, you can go for the boldest colors.
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All Things Sky Blue
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The color red has been dominating the fashion world for the last few months. In spring, however, there has been a transition from all things red to periwinkle, sky blue, and other complementary colors. Lopez notes that the new color is sky blue. It pairs well with red, according to color wheel. Red was the color of choice for fall and winter. Now, we see this sky-blue ice combination gaining in popularity. This color was seen on designers such as JW Anderson Bottega Veneta and Alaia. It’s a nod towards the Y2K aesthetic with icy blue eyeshadow and metallics.
What are some sky blue dresses sure to make people stop in their tracks? There are three dresses that stand out: the Abercrombie & Fitch Premium linen Scalloped Midi Dress (130), the Sunday in Brooklyn Bow Mini Shift Dress (138) and Diarrablu Myra Dress (225).
Style Tip: Add pops of orange, red and brown to your outfit to keep the sky-blue trend fresh. Wear the Staud Landscape Dress Azure (195 dollars) with the Tecovas Limited Edition Honey/Bone Annie Star Boots (375 dollars) to create a western-chic ensemble. What about another option? Combine the Hill House Home Powder Blue Ellie Nap dress ($278) with red, white and blue Adidas gazelle Bold shoes ($120).
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Accentuated Waists
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Smallshaw says that as much as we like oversized silhouettes for spring, the focus is on accentuated waistlines. She explains that the Y2K revival of waistlines combines Victorian elegance with a contemporary twist to show off a cinched-in waist.
This trend has many dresses that are perfect for this look. You can add a belt and define the dress. The Tuckernuck Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress ($128) is loose, but paired up with the Streets Ahead Harley Belt, ($269) it becomes a casual cinched masterpiece. You don’t need to purchase a belt separately? Rhode Ella Mini Dress comes with a braided belt that can be removed to cinch the dress. If you’re looking for a dress with a cinched waist, try the Old Navy Puff Sleeve Midi Swingdress ($25), a Hill House knockoff that fits like a glove, or the Bardot Anika Corset Satindress ($149).
Styling tip:The quickest way to achieve a pronounced waist is by choosing a dress that has corset-inspired features or waist ties. Smallshaw agrees. You can turn any dress into an outfit that has a fitted-and-flare shape by adding a belt. This styling hack will give your outfit more personality.
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Sheer Dresses
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You don’t want to wear pants? Lopez suggests wearing a sheer dress to embrace the trend. She recommends the AFRM Shailene Dress (88 dollars), Tia Adeola net dress (20 dollars), and For Love & Lemons Temecula maxi dress (298). She says a sheer dress allows you to be part of the trend without overexposing your body. You can wear shorts, bodysuits, mini slip dresses, or briefs under the sheer dress. It’s also perfect for vacations because you can wear it from the beach to dinner.
Style Tip: Opting to wear sheer fabrics is bold, so embrace it. Aylen says to “have fun with this style” – wear it with a slip or a swimsuit at the beach. Add bold jewelry for extra interest.
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Whimsical Tiers
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This spring, midi and maxi dresses with tiered details are in style. Lopez says that midi and maxi dress have become more popular in the last year. Since cottage core and coquette are in style, as well as the 2010s/boho vibes that will soon be returning to the runways, larger skirts, tiered dresses, and A-line silhouettes will be hot items. Maxi skirts are on the rise, which naturally leads to dresses.
Style Tip:Whimsical tier dresses look just as good with cowboy boots as they do with statement sandals. Consider the Never Fully Dressed Matilda Wrap Dress (£175). It looks great with cowboy boots, strappy sandals and slingbacks. The Brother Vellies Mermaid Doodle Cowboy Boots ($1150) would give the fit a fun Western flare. By Anthropologie Corset Tiered Lace Ruffle Dress (268) and Farm Rio Orange Guipure Sleeveless Maxi Dress (345) can be paired with any footwear while still looking whimsical.
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Muted Pastels
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Although pastels aren’t a new color for spring, they will remain popular for the months to come. Smallshaw says that pastels in muted tones dominate the spring scene. Choose dresses in pale pink, sky blue or light lilac to effortlessly embody this trend. Try peach and pale yellow if you like warmer colors.
The pastel dresses that we are eyeing up this season include: the stunning Lilly Pulitzer x Badgley Mischka Fritzi Ruffled Dress ($550), cult favorite Free People Ruffle it Up Midi Dress ($108), simple but stunning Fe Noel Lilac Ice Bella Slipdress ($598), as well as the Free People Suddenly fine Daisy Combo Maxi Slipdress ($98).
Style Tip: To achieve a minimalist look, Smallshaw suggests pairing your pastel dress and minimalist accessories. This will let the delicate colors shine through. Try mixing up your look with chunky jewelry, layered accessories and sneakers instead of sandals or heels.
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Denim Dresses
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Denim has become even more popular in spring, thanks to the Western-inspired style that is on the rise. Smallshaw says that denim is the star of spring and offers a new take on the Canadian Tuxedo. Modernize this trend with a variety of styles and cuts, from shirt dresses to trendy mid-lengths. Some of our favorites that meet the criteria include the Heartloom Karia Dress (129), Zara Denim Midi Dress (70), and Staud Wells Fit-and-Flare Denim Mini Dress (265).
Style Tip: Don’t be scared to layer denim on top. Smallshaw recommends layering your denim dress over a denim jacket or cardigan for an added dimension.
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Pants over dresses
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We know this one is a biggie: “I am sorry to bring bad news but it appears that dresses are now more popular than pants,” Lopez says. With a new decade comes new styles.Style Tip: If you’ve been wearing the trend for a while, like me, you may be reluctant to layer your knits, crochets, and sheers together. This is also a good way to style a dress which might have become a bit too short. Layering looks are also great with button-up dress, which can be unbuttoned to reveal your pants.
