You’ll Be Surprised—Here Are 8 Dress Trends Our Editors Are Steering Clear of This Summer

You’ll Be Surprised—Here Are 8 Dress Trends Our Editors Are Steering Clear of This Summer

      The beginning of a new season often prompts a re-evaluation of your fashion choices and the items in your capsule wardrobe. If you live in Britain, you may not have seen your summer pieces for nearly eight months—unless you've ventured to warmer locations in that time. While finding these clothes again can be a joyful experience, it's also likely that they may not evoke the same enthusiasm as before. Even your most trusted items can lose their charm over time, which seems to be the sentiment among the Who What Wear team regarding their dress collections.

      When discussing summer 2025 wishes with my colleagues this week, they all expressed a desire for beautiful new dresses. Their existing options are still relevant, but the overall feeling was that the arrival of many fresh dress trends this season presents the perfect opportunity for an update. Upon further conversation, it became evident that there are several summer dress trends we each plan to steer clear of for various reasons. For some, it’s due to already owning those styles and wanting to explore new options. For others, certain 2025 trends simply don’t resonate. To facilitate this discussion, I decided to provide a platform for these opinions.

      Here are the dress trends our editors are avoiding this summer, with some feeling outdated and others simply overdone:

      1. Passing: Tank Dresses | Wearing: Voluminous Dresses

      "I think I might be finished with the classic tank dress this summer—especially the super minimal, form-fitting versions. They've been everywhere recently and while they’re easy to wear and style, they no longer excite me. Instead, I’m leaning towards slouchy silhouettes that are equally comfortable." – Humaa Hussain, Junior Branded Content Editor

      2. Passing: Straight Hemlines | Wearing: Asymmetric Hemlines

      "I’ve been steering clear of classic straight hemlines lately. I wouldn’t say they're out, but with early 2000s styles coming back, I find myself drawn to dresses with asymmetric hems; think high slits, layers, and ruffled edges for added interest. The same goes for sleeves—I've noticed many one-shoulder styles at weddings I've attended!" – Rebecca Rhys-Evans, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor, Branded Content

      3. Passing: Ribbed Dresses | Wearing: Broderie Dresses

      "Ribbed dresses seem a bit too plain for me this summer, so I’m embracing the boho aesthetic with broderie anglaise, intricate lace, and lovely detailing." – Florrie Alexander, Shopping Editor

      4. Passing: Mini Dresses | Wearing: Maxi Dresses

      "I’m opting out of mini dresses this summer. They can feel a bit too cutesy on me, and I prefer to wear more sophisticated and practical midi or maxi styles; those that are easy to throw on for work or over a bikini while on holiday. There are so many brands offering beautiful long dresses this season!" – Sophie Watson, Acting Fashion Editor

      5. Passing: Bubble-Hem Dresses | Wearing: Drop-Waist Dresses

      "I believe bubble-hem dresses were quite trendy last year, but I’ve always found them challenging to style and not suited to my body type. For 2025, I’ll be choosing drop-waist dresses instead. This style pairs well with any footwear, elongates the torso, and makes me appear taller." – Brittany Davy, Editorial Assistant

      6. Passing: Floral Dresses | Wearing: Polka Dot Dresses

      "To borrow a phrase from Miranda Priestly, florals for spring can feel a bit uninspired, and even more so for summer. This season, I am embracing polka dots instead. These patterns aren’t new but feel fresh, especially in beautiful strapless cuts with ruching." – Ava Gilchrist, SEO Writer

      7. Passing: Milkmaid Dresses | Wearing: Halter Dresses

      "With warmer weather anticipated, I'm all about simplicity and comfort, and the milkmaid dress trend feels too elaborate for my summer mood. I’m shifting towards more straightforward halterneck styles instead." – Natalie Munro, News Writer

      8. Passing: Plain White Dresses | Wearing: Embroidered Dresses

      "I don’t think plain white dresses are 'out' by any means, but looking at my collection of them has made me realize I need to diversify. I still enjoy white dresses, but I plan to invest in pieces with colorful embroidery instead—something reminiscent of what you might find at a market in Palma." – Maxine Eggenberger, Deputy Editor

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You’ll Be Surprised—Here Are 8 Dress Trends Our Editors Are Steering Clear of This Summer

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