Even though we've been living in a '90s-trends-inspired world [1] for a while, dresses that were popular during the decade are sticking around. The good news is they're being reinvented in new ways that we find particularly flattering. Puff sleeves are bringing volume to breezy, A-line dresses, making them seem even fancier than they were before (of course, you can always dress them down with sneakers [2]). Meanwhile, the minidress will help you amp up the glamour for a night out. Brightly colored knit dresses [3] come in all forms — some in '70s silhouettes with collars and others with cutouts to help you achieve sex appeal. Finally, feminine details such as ruffles and smocking give your outfit a noticeable boost after a year of staying inside. Scroll through all seven dress trends ahead, or jump to the category you wish to shop.
- Smocked [4]
- Brightly Colored Knits [5]
- Minidresses [6]
- Pouf Sleeves [7]
- Animal Print [8]
- Ruffles [9]
- Cutouts [10]
Smocked
Whether the smocked detail runs down to the hips and creates a drop-effect waist or it defines the bodice, this feminine detail isn't going away for fall and winter.
By The River Smocked Floral Midi Dress [12] ($110)
Smocked
Sir. Dimitri Puff Sleeve Midi Dress [13] ($480)
Smocked
Cinq a Sept Kaya Dress [14] ($395)
Smocked
Hill House Home The Nesli Nap Dress [15] ($125)
Smocked
Wilfred Grace Dress [16] ($178)
Smocked
Proenza Schouler Smocked Turtleneck Dress [17] ($1,090)
Smocked
Sleeper Atlanta Linen Dress in Navy [18] ($320)
Smocked
Faithfull The Brand Sobita Midi Dress Cardette Floral Print [19] ($249)
Smocked
Ganni Organic Cotton Poplin Maxi Dress [20] ($345)
Smocked
Abacaxi Eva Dress [21] ($475)
Brightly Colored Knits
While we mostly saw these in the form of lightweight tank dresses for spring and summer, fall brings more autumnal tones and '70s-inspired silhouettes with collars.
Tanya Taylor Joelle Knit Dress [22] ($365)
Brightly Colored Knits
Staud Shoko Sweater [23] ($165)
Brightly Colored Knits
Nisse Santro Orange Dress [24] ($355)
Brightly Colored Knits
Tanya Taylor Letta Dress [25] ($295)
Brightly Colored Knits
Cider Long Sleeved Rib Dress [26] ($18)
Brightly Colored Knits
San Sloane Drake Rib Midi Dress Pistachio [27] ($167)
Brightly Colored Knits
Ganni Melange Knit Dress [28] ($245)
Brightly Colored Knits
Solid & Striped The Leigh Polo Dress [29] ($248)
Brightly Colored Knits
Nanushka Lycyle Boucle Knit Dress [30] ($575)
Brightly Colored Knits
Bottega Veneta Women's Dress in Scarlet [31] ($1,650)
Brightly Colored Knits
JW Anderson Light Blue Tiered Ribbed Cotton Maxi Dress [32] ($865)
Brightly Colored Knits
Self-Portrait Ribbed Knit Midi Dress [33] ($495)
Minidresses
The minidress helps you get event-ready this year, so show off a little leg and shop any of these statement pieces that prove extra fabric isn't necessarily what gets you noticed.
Nicole Shante Lime Green Backless Mini Dress [34] ($345)
Minidresses
With Jéan Andy Dress in Cher [35] ($279)
Minidresses
Louisa Ballou Helios Dress Yellow Aura Orchid [36] ($505)
Minidresses
SER.O.YA Rachel Dress [37] ($192, originally $275)
Minidresses
Retrofête Sonja Dress [38] ($345)
Minidresses
Victor Glemaud Sweater Dress [39] ($450)
Minidresses
Andrea Iyamah Sol Dress [40] ($250)
Minidresses
Maisie Wilen Orbit City Dress [41] ($650)
Minidresses
Minis Bronze Linen Dress [42] ($89)
Pouf Sleeves
The pouf either adds dimension at the shoulder or takes more of a bishop form, with room throughout and a cinch at the elbow or wrist. Shop it in a minidress or midi length.
Hope For Flowers by Tracy Reese Black Cowl Dress [43] ($325)
Pouf Sleeves
Batsheva Snap Housedress in Burgundy Paisley [44] ($200)
Pouf Sleeves
Ganni x 11 Honoré Love Drop Stretch Stripe Shirt Dress [45] ($395)
Pouf Sleeves
Maggie Marilyn Cup of Ambition Dress [46] ($484)
Pouf Sleeves
Christopher John Rogers White Topstitched Cotton-Twill Maxi Dress [47] ($2,295)
Pouf Sleeves
PatBo Faux Suede V-Neck Midi Dress [48] ($795)
Pouf Sleeves
COS Gathered Dress [49] ($125)
Pouf Sleeves
Esse Studios Collected Long Dress in Chocolate [50] ($599)
Pouf Sleeves
Tibi Eyelet Embroidery On Taffeta Dress [51] ($995)
Animal Print
Animal print isn't quite as literal this season, often blown up into a more pixelated graphic print or treated with an extra silky sheen. Expect takes on giraffe and zebra to follow.
Rixo Jolene in Antelope [52] ($325)
Animal Print
Reformation Sigmund Dress [53] ($248)
Animal Print
Mango Snake Print Gown [54] ($100)
Animal Print
Holiday The Label Maldives Dress in Zebra [55] ($157)
Animal Print
DVF Reese Matte-Jersey Mini Dress in Giraffe Medium Teal [56] ($358)
Animal Print
Ulla Johnson Leyla Dress in Acacia [57] ($895)
Animal Print
Rhode Heidi Dress [58] ($475)
Animal Print
LaQuan Smith Tiger Print Cocktail Minidress [59] ($1,200)
Animal Print
MISA Los Angeles Gaia Dress in Tigresse [60] ($480)
Ruffles
Allow feminine frills to finish off the border of your sleeves, hem, or collar, and if your taste is more avant-garde than modest, you can even come by some asymmetrical styles that have a single ruffle trail down the miniskirt.
Meadows Jasmine Dress in Ditsy Corduroy [61] ($248)
Ruffles
Zara Short Ruffled Dress [62] ($50)
Ruffles
Shona Joy Olympia Long Sleeve Ruched Minidress in Chocolate [63] ($360)
Ruffles
Erdem x Universal Standard Primrose Ruffle Shirt Dress in Black Floral [64] ($174)
Ruffles
LoveShackFancy Cedella Minidress [65] ($425)
Ruffles
Sea Gina Gingham Smocked Dress With Embroidery [66] ($365)
Cutouts
An eye-catching cutout reigns supreme this year, however big or small. Slashes at the midriff, shoulder, chest, and back will allow you to bare a little more skin and exude glamour, even when you're in long sleeves.
FANM MON LVIV Expresso Linen Side and Back Open Detail Mini Dress [67] ($199)
Cutouts
De La Vali Baltimore Backless Feather Trim Mini Dress [68] ($630)
Cutouts
Public Desire Curve Open Back Midi Dress in Mustard [69] ($48)
Cutouts
Lado Bokuchava Cut Out Midi Dress [70] ($575)
Cutouts
Hyein Seo Cutout Stretch Design Dress [71] ($390)
Cutouts
Jonathan Simkhai Christie Draped Cutout Dress [72] ($645)
Cutouts
Cult Gaia Marisol Gown in Chili [73] ($698)
Cutouts
Khaite The Mischa Dress in Black [74] ($1,480)
Cutouts
Par Bronte Laurent 25 Reasons Dress [75] ($198)