These Are the 7 Biggest Dress Trends For Summer

If there's one category of clothing that we emphatically shop for at the top of a new season, it's dresses. Minis, midis, floor-sweeping lengths, we want them all! For the Spring/Summer 2020 season, there are a lot of delectable dress trends in store, and for a range of tastes, too. Feminine and sweet, sporty and colorful, minimal and sleek, bold and bright, even bohemian with a twist. Needless to say, we're giddy with excitement and already starting to fill our closets with the latest and greatest.

From New York to London, Milan to Paris, designer runways gave us a smattering of wearable dress trends we're loving for Spring and Summer. Zimmermann, Tibi, and Marc Jacobs kicked things off in New York with what we consider the ultimate casual-cool dress: the rainbow-striped knit. As for those puffy sleeves that have been ubiquitous among fashion girls? Prabal Gurung, Valentino, and Louis Vuitton proved they're not going anywhere for Spring. In fact, they're becoming more showstopping than ever. As for the fashion industry's current obsession with nostalgia? It's also continuing via '80s-inspired shapes as we saw at Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors Collection, and Giambattista Valli; they're our top pick for going-out and occasion dresses! Then we have one of my personal favorites, the leather dress. According to Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Tod's, it's the ultimate minimal-sleek look whether your preference is neutral tones or electric hues.

When it comes to shopping these new trends, for me personally, dresses shape my new-season aesthetic. Whether I'm looking for polished silhouettes I can wear to work, easy-chic shapes I can throw on for weekend brunches and errands, or eye-catching styles I want to squirrel away for upcoming vacations and occasions (i.e. wedding season!), I routinely start with dresses for each occasion and build from there. I begin by deducing my favorite trends — this season, that includes sharp leather (and faux!) silhouettes, seriously ample sleeves, and effortlessly cool striped sweater dresses — assessing the current assortment in my closet, and going in on the trends I know will A) make the most impact, B) see the most wear, and C) satiate my new-season-gotta-buy-some-stuff itch. Have I been known to somewhat hastily buy a few dresses only to wear them once or twice? Oh yeah. But I'm confident that my new-year, new-me shopping strategy will prevent me from overconsuming and procure just enough to achieve that fresh-for-Spring feeling.

But enough about me (though I hope I've shared a few helpful insights for shopping new trends)! Ahead, discover the seven biggest dress trends for Spring and Summer 2020 with my edit of dresses to shop at a range of price points. Even better, I've included styling inspiration via the street style scene to show you how each trend is already being worn so you can replicate these dress outfits for yourself all season long.