There are certain dress trends that come back every summer like clockwork—white cotton dresses, slinky slips, breezy maxis—but this year, fashion people have made room for something a little sweeter. Enter the babydoll dress. After having a major moment this spring and early summer, the playful, slightly nostalgic silhouette is sticking around for late summer, and frankly, it might be one of the easiest dresses to wear right now.

It makes sense that the style has found fans across both Gen Z and millennials. With its flirty hemline, floaty shape, and decidedly ’60s-meets-’90s energy, the babydoll dress feels fun without requiring much actual styling. Throw one on with ballet flats and a shoulder bag for something polished, or add flip-flops and sunglasses when it’s simply too hot to think about an outfit. Unlike some of summer’s more fleeting dress trends, this one has plenty of mileage left once temperatures start to drop. Come fall, add knee-high boots and layer a chunky cardigan or oversized sweater on top, and suddenly your summery mini has an entirely different personality.

That endless styling potential is exactly what makes the babydoll dress worth paying attention to now. Keep scrolling to see how fashion people are wearing babydoll dresses now, then shop the best styles to carry you from the final hot days of summer straight into fall.

On Olivia Rodrigo

On the Style Set

Shop Babydoll Dresses

Sleeveless Babydoll Dress

Short Sleeve Babydoll Dresses

If there’s one thing that I dislike about fashion, it's the idea that with each season you have to buy an entirely new wardrobe. No sooner had I settled into my linens and tank tops than a cool breeze whipped around, and after being caught out not once, but twice in sandals in the rain (sob), I knew it was time I gave some serious thought to my autumnal options. The same forever knits that I wore last winter are still good to go (thank you, Navygrey and Rise & Fall), and I rely on one style of jeans for everything (that's a true-blue straight), but the category I’m always excited to reassess come September is dresses.

Yes, autumn may signal the return of knitwear, coats and boots, but this season’s dress trends are arguably the most compelling reason to refresh this one area of your wardrobe. From polished, ladylike styles that feel made for the office to the unexpectedly sexy and vampish, according to the autumn/winter 2026 runways. Fashion has plenty to offer when it comes to new dress trends.

And whilst the runways are naturally my first place to start, the real test is whether a trend feels wearable beyond the front row. Sheer dresses and sculptural gowns will always get my full attention, but will they factor into my regular rotation? Don't bet on it. So, after paying close attention to the key looks already filtering their way down from the catwalk to our closets, these six dress trends feel fresh now and have serious staying power. Consider this your edit of the styles worth knowing (and shopping) before party season really gets underway.

The 6 Biggest Dress Trends for Autumn 2026

1. The Gothic Heroine

Style Notes: In the year that gave us Maggie Gyllenhaal's Bride!, Practical Magic 2 and a Charli XCX Wuthering Heights score, dark romance is back in a big way for autumn. Long, lacy gothic dresses were all over the runways, eschewing subtlety for costume drama—think lace trims, high necklines, sheer panels and Morticia Addams-coded figure-hugging silhouettes. This season, designers are using the gothic dress to bring a modern edge to Victorian-inspired dressing, and are trading witchy boots for polished court shoes and scaling back on jewellery stacking to let the dress do all of the talking. If this sheer, long-sleeved style feels too full-frontal, wear it under a black blazer for your evening plans. It's sure to cause a stir, in all of the right ways.

Shop Gothic Romantic Dresses:

2. The Antique Clothes Show

Style Notes: ICYMI, vintage fashion is having a moment right now. And no, I don't mean ’70s-inspired florals or '90s minimalism; instead, we're taking it all the way back to the roaring '20s, where fur trims, intricate embroidery and tassels reigned supreme. Borrowing all of the best bits of the era, Magda Butryms soft blooms sit perfectly alongside Dior, Ferragamo and Dries Van Noten's flocked-wallpaper-reminiscent prints. Over at Lanvin, the dropped waist felt modern over a tiered skirt, and Ermanno Scervino and Saint Laurent's delicate lace looked like French finery.

Sorry, pared-back minimalism- these are the kind of dresses that add instant personality to an autumn wardrobe, and if you’ve been tempted to dip a toe into the vintage aesthetic without looking like you’re in fancy dress, just add a simple, long wool coat, opaque tights and T-bar shoes for an outfit formula that tells people you're dressed to impress.

Shop Vintage-Inspired Dresses:

3. 24 Karat Gold

Style Notes: From Shirley Eaton in 1965's Goldfinger to Tate McRae doused in liquid gold at Lollapalooza, there's something about head-to-toe metallic that makes for an unforgettable statement. From Standing Ground's muted yellow, through to No 21's chocolate-wrapper foil, Mugler's retro lamé and Akris' liquid-metal dress that looked poured onto the model, this high-octane colour proves that "party" dressing doesn’t have to wait until December. Whilst jewellery trends continue to shift towards silver and autumn beauty is picking up on copper, consider this your sign to embrace a little more 24-karat shine in your wardrobe to stand out from the crowd this autumn.

Shop Gold Dresses:

4. Short and Sweet

Style Notes: Move over, LBD! According to designers, the minidress was overdue for a cuter makeover, and this season expect to see playful proportions, pretty prints, boxy silhouettes and lots (and lots) of bows, ruffles and Peter Pan collars. It is refreshing to see such spring-coded minis alongside the season’s heavier tailoring and oversized outerwear, and the styling possibilities make it surprisingly wearable once the temperature drops.

Take your favourite mini and add sheer tights or socks, pumps or Miu Miu-esque trainers, then finish with an off-the-shoulder coat for that effortless high-low balance. Whether you lean towards sweet and romantic or prefer something with a preppy edge, this is one autumn trend that’s guaranteed to bring a little fun back into getting dressed.

Shop Minidresses:

5. Reach Out and Touch Me

Style Notes: If there’s one thing autumn 2026 is encouraging us to do, it’s to get a little more tactile with our wardrobes. It's no surprise that during sweater season we want to wrap ourselves up in cashmere and duvet coats, and now dresses are taking on an equally "touchable" quality this season with plush velvets, fuzzy knits, tactile bouclé, and feathered trims giving even the simplest silhouettes plenty of interest. You might not be reaching for Balenciaga's haute couture tulle to wear to the office, but ruffles, fringing and wool feel perfectly suited to cooler days, and there’s something undeniably luxurious about slipping into a dress that feels as good as it looks. Wear a tactile midi with a polished knee-high boot for day, or let a more dramatic feathered or velvet style take centre stage after dark.

Shop Tactile Dresses:

6. Dream Sleeves

Style Notes: Remember the "nap" dress, the style so comfortable and effortlessly relaxed that you could fall asleep in it? Well, this autumn our fascination with all things nightgowns has evolved into the kind of dress that you can comfortably wear throughout cooler days too. Sleeves are getting bigger, puffier and more sculptural, adding just the right amount of pillowy softness to otherwise simple dress silhouettes. From romantic balloon sleeves and gathered shoulders to subtly voluminous shapes, these may just look like white and cream dresses at first glance, but their proximity to the humble nightie makes this one of the easiest ways to make an everyday dress feel instantly more directional. Keep it modern (and outdoor-appropriate) by balancing the volume elsewhere—think sleek knee-high boots à la Chloé or Givenchy's playful puffball mules.

Shop Puff-Sleeve Dresses:

Fall officially starts in a couple of weeks, and I've already started to shift to an autumn state of mind. That goes for my wardrobe too. The summer dresses are being moved to the back of my closet, and I've been welcoming in chic new styles. Fall dresses, in particular, are on my mind—mostly because I've spotted so many gorgeous new arrivals in the past few weeks that have captured my attention. Many of these dresses hit on the biggest fall/winter 2026 runway trends. Think sumptuous colors—such as regal purple, olive green, and burgundy—free-flowing silk, dramatic draping, fresh takes on plaid, and figure-flattering knitted styles. There's something for every occasion on your fall schedule.

Keep scrolling to see the fall dresses I'm eyeing, and shop them before everyone else!

Tessa Faye O'Connell is a contributor known for her work at various fashion houses, specializing in media and public relations, currently working at Coach as its global PR director. She's a mom of two, working to expand her influence in the fashion space through styling while also just making it out the door on time.

I have a dear friend I met in the industry who has been praising butter yellow since I met her, but for some reason, the full allure of it finally hit me this year. I always believed yellow was too bright or didn't complement my pale skin tone (shout-out SPF 50 year-round!), but I've come to love it as the perfect neutral or pop of color—depending on what day it is.

It's been one of my favorites to rely on this season, and when I travel for work in warmer weather, it makes an outfit feel special without any bold prints necessary. Butter yellow pairs well with all colors of footwear, and I look forward to throwing it underneath a denim jacket and pairing it with jeans all fall.

If you needed a push to try the color finally, here it is.

Butter-Yellow Dresses

Sticking true to summer, this color in dress form makes everything more cheerful and enjoyable and looks great with a denim jacket when you have to emerge into freezing air conditioning.

Butter-Yellow Sweaters

You know I love a sweater, especially one that I can throw on over an all-white outfit or transition seamlessly to the fall.

Butter-Yellow Bags

I was already obsessed with this clutch from The Horse, but it also being in this perfect hue makes it even more fun.

Butter-Yellow Pants

You know I love drawstring pants, and yellow is perfect all spring and summer long for work or weekends.

Butter-Yellow Blazers

I love a classic blazer, but sometimes, you want to feel a little elevated but not too loud for a meeting or client dinner. This elevated color stands out but is not too dramatic.

Butter-Yellow T-Shirts

Why not elevate your favorite basic T-shirt with this color?

A few days ago, I did something I'd never done before: quite literally rolled out of bed in an Eileen West nightgown and, half-awake, went straight across the street for coffee. To my surprise, given that I had just woken up, a woman came up to me and complimented how cute my dress was (aka pajamas), telling me she'd been looking for one just like it for summer.

My nightgown really did make for the perfect heatwave dress—airy and 100% cotton. When it's too hot to think, I like having something I can just throw on and go. I love how effortless it is—a one-and-done dress to look put together without actually trying.

Eileen West is one of my favorite brands for them, but I also have a few others I wear on repeat in my collection: the Pour Les Femmes Lace Square-Neck Nightgown, the Piyama Betty Nightie, and the Lanz of Salzburg Dream Long Nightgown. Other brands worth looking at for similar styles include Dôen, Free People, Helsa, Hill House, If Only If, J.Crew, and Posse.

Keep scrolling to shop nightgowns for summer 2026.

Shop Nightgowns

As we enter our latest heatwave, only one thing is on my mind: dresses. Over the past few sweltering months, this wardrobe staple has been a saving grace on bright days, seeing me through work meetings, weekend plans and evening catch-ups with ease, and that keyword of ease is set to be my mantra for the rest of August. Looking ahead to the rest of the summer days, I plan to fully embrace the relaxed mood of the season and, in turn, rely on one-and-done dresses to do the heavy lifting.

Whilst chatting to one of my most stylish friends, she told me that the elegant dresses in her summer wardrobe that I'd always assumed were designer were actually affordable styles from three high street brands. Now, 9 standout dresses fill my wish list, and they're all expensive-looking styles from Zara, Nobody's Child and J.Crew.

Whilst I spent a long time searching through various high street brands' dress collections, the three standouts were Zara, Nobody's Child and J. Crew. Zara has a way of tapping into every current trend as soon as they rise in popularity, whilst seamlessly blending timeless details to keep each piece feeling relevant in our wardrobes for years after. Along with sleek tailoring and polished accessories, Nobody's Child is known for its dresses, ranging from intricate patterns to minimalist refinement, and personally I think this season's collection is the strongest to date. Finally, I was influenced by a friend to explore J.Crew's new-in section as I was convinced her new dress had to be a designer purchase. In fact, it's a much more affordable option from J.Crew with all the intricate lace detailing and quality cotton, but at a much more reasonable price point.

As the best high street pieces tend to do, these breezy dresses are already selling fast. Scroll on to shop the standout dresses from Zara, Nobody's Child and J.Crew, and shop more high street dresses we adore right now.

9 Best Zara, Nobody's Child and J. Crew Dresses

Shop More High Street Dresses We Adore

For years, white dresses have been the undisputed hero of summer dressing. They’re timeless, effortless, and always look chic, but this season, stylish dressers are gravitating toward something that feels a bit more directional. Instead of reaching for another crisp white silhouette, fashion people are embracing striped summer dresses—a trend that delivers the same easy elegance while adding just enough visual interest to feel fresh for 2026.

There’s something inherently elevated about stripes during the warmer months. Whether they’re delicate pinstripes, bold nautical-inspired lines, or softly faded vintage motifs, they instantly give a dress more personality without sacrificing versatility. The print feels polished yet relaxed, making it an easy choice for everything from long lunches and weekend markets to vacations and everyday city wear. It’s the kind of trend that doesn’t rely on loud colors or dramatic details to make an impact—it simply looks expensive.

As we move deeper into summer and begin thinking ahead to early fall, striped dresses continue to prove their staying power. They pair effortlessly with everything from minimal sandals and woven accessories to sleek ballet flats and lightweight knits once temperatures begin to cool. If your closet already has its fair share of white dresses, consider this the season to branch out. A striped summer dress delivers the same effortless appeal while giving your wardrobe a subtle update that feels undeniably current.

Best Striped Summer Dresses

Get the look: Striped dress + Flip flops + Anklet

Get the look: Striped dress + Leather bag + Heels

Get the look: Striped dress + Dainty jewelry + Flip flops

Get the look: Striped dress + Oversized sunglasses + Flip flops

Get the look: Striped dress + Gold bangles + Wedges

Get the look: Striped dress + Small sunglasses + Strappy heels + Clutch

Get the look: Striped dress + Gold jewelry + Sandals

Get the look: Striped dress + Bucket hat + Beaded necklace + Sandals

Get the look: Striped dress + Small gold hoops + Flip flops

Shop More Striped Dresses

You may not have realised it due to the back-to-back heatwaves we’ve experienced, but we're fast approaching the end of the summer. And with this comes the (very sad) realisation that I’ll soon be packing away my linen trousers, basket bags and, most devastatingly to me, lightweight dresses. So, with that at the top of mind, I’m determined to get the absolute most out of dress season before the temperatures drop in August. Of course, this means I’ve been on the hunt for some newer styles to add into my outfit rotations, and after spotting a particular high-street find on the forever-elegant Pippa Middleton, I think I’ve found the perfect one. And I was shocked to realise that it was the same style I missed out on last summer. Enter Reformation’s Naira Dress.

Spotted at Wimbledon wearing the red-and-white floral iteration with white court heels, a raffia hat and clutch, Pippa Middleton showed how simple Reformation’s Naira dress is to style for formal occasions. But rest assured that it can just as easily be styled with a pair of minimal trainers and a shoulder bag for more casual days out. Me personally? I’ll be wearing mine with a pair of suede loafers and a leather tote as an easy throw-on office outfit on those days I don’t know what to wear. With its subtle puff sleeves, deep V-neckline and maxi length, it strikes the perfect balance between ease and elegance.

Last year, it was the white-and-black polka dot iteration that took social media by storm, and although it sold out fast, summer 2026’s selection has five no-less-chic patterns to choose from. And trust me when I say—it’s selling fast.

Keep scrolling to shop Reformation’s Naira dress for summer 2026, and then take a browse at some more Reformation dresses I currently have my eye on.

Shop Reformation's Naira Dress

Shop More Reformation Dresses I Love

I wear more dresses than anything else in my closet, aside from an equal number of skirts. That means I pay close attention to which styles are trending every season. For summer 2026, those include baby-doll, sheer, shirred, and crochet styles.

Some of the brands our editors look to most for summer dresses are Dôen, J.Crew, Posse, Rumored, Rixo, Matteau, and SIR. Some of my other favorites are Cou Cou, Paloma Wool, Emily Dawn Long, St. Agni, Rue Sophie, Faithfull, and Silk Laundry.

Especially in the summer, there's an emphasis on natural materials such as silk and cotton. A simple '90s-inspired bias-cut slip dress never gets old, and I also love a nightgown. I recently quite literally rolled out of bed in one from Eileen West, walked across the street to my local coffee shop, and had a woman stop to compliment me. Halterneck and strapless styles are among my most-worn pieces as well.

Keep scrolling to shop all of the above.

Slip Dresses

Nightgown Dresses

Baby-Doll Dresses

Sheer Dresses

Halterneck Dresses

Strapless Dresses

Crochet Dresses

Shirred Dresses

Here's a simple fact: If you ever spot Jennifer Lopez vacationing somewhere, she will be wearing the latest seasonal trends. That's exactly the case at this very moment, as Lopez was just spotted vacationing with her kids in Rome wearing the quintessential summer-2026-vacation-in-Italy outfit. And her outfit also confirmed what we here at Who What Wear have found to be another fact in 2026: Fashion people are forgoing plain white dresses on occasion for scarf dresses, one of the most popular (and prettiest) dress trends of the season.

Scarf dresses, made popular by highly influential brands such as Dôen (the brand of J.Lo's dress), Posse, and Reformation, have gone absolutely viral this summer. They're defined by scarf prints and scarf details, such as asymmetrical hems and straps that tie at the shoulders. Lopez's fits into the latter, and the Dôen banded minidress also featured scarf-like embroidery. So what to wear with these eye-catching dresses? The sandal-color trend that's equally eye-catching and also versatile: metallic. Lopez opted for a pair of gold flip-flops, and given that they go with everything and dress up or down, if you're going on vacation and only want to pack one pair of sandals, these are it.

Scroll on to see J.Lo's Roman vacation look and to shop scarf dresses and metallic sandals for your own adventures this season.

Jennifer Lopez Wearing the Dress Trend + Sandal-Color Trend

Shop Scarf Dresses

Shop Metallic Sandals

Currently, Nordstrom is in the midst of its largest sale of the year. If you're looking to score deep discounts on a range of high-quality items from top-tier brands, then you've landed in the perfect place. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale deals keep getting better and better every time I browse the site. I've noticed a significant number of pretty dresses worth buying. Finding a cute wedding guest dress at a reasonable price point can prove to be difficult, so I couldn't keep these discoveries to myself. Ahead, shop my editor-approved selection of Nordstrom Anniversary Sale wedding guest dress deals today.

In the mix, you can expect a range of styles. From full-length to cocktail, the wedding guest dress codes are all accounted for. On top of that, there's a beautiful mix of WWW editor and reader favorites, like Petal & Pup, Topshop, and WAYF, among others. Keep scrolling to uncover these amazing dress deals.

Shop Nordstrom Wedding Guest Dress Deals

Ever since Chemena Kamali made her debut as creative director at Chloé in 2024, the boho trend has had a fashionable resurgence that doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Gone are the days of cliché paisley prints and oversized, low-slung disc belts; instead, we've been treated to a summer of romantic textures, muted tones and wooden wedges. Far from costume cosplay, the new boho is altogether more polished with a sophisticated finish.

This summer, boho dresses in particular are emerging as one of the biggest trends. Once reserved predominantly for festival-goers (and famously seen paired with wellies on the likes of Sienna Miller and Kate Moss), this year we’re seeing them in a more elevated environment. Fresh from the spring/summer 2026 runways of Chloé, Zimmermann and Etro, this season's sweeping maxis and playful minis are more elegant than before.

Lace trims, soft earthy hues, ruffles and classic crochet: the ethereal details make the 2026 take on boho feel more romantic in a modern, understated way. Finished with accessories like simple gold cuffs, suede belts and Western-style boots (without a braided headband in sight), it’s a perfect way to lean into the trend without feeling like you’ve stepped out of the noughties.

Wondering how to do boho now? I’ve compiled an edit of five ways to wear the boho dress trend this summer. Scroll to see.

1. Crochet Minidress + Suede Accessories

Style Notes: Not usually one for boho? Pairing a crochet minidress with grounding brown suede accessories ticks every box. You get all the textures associated with the aesthetic without having to lean into studs and fringing—win, win.

Shop the Look:

2. Lace-Trimmed Dress + Gold Jewellery

Style Notes: Make a point of investing in dresses with boho-esque elements—think lace trims, chiffon fabrics or even broderie anglaise panels. These contrasting fabrics give the relaxed feel that defines the boho trend. Add bold gold jewellery such as disc necklaces or oversized cuffs for those finishing touches, and don't forget to cinch the waist with a suede belt.

Shop the Look:

3. Beaded Detail Dress + Suede Knee-High Boots

Style Notes: Ideal for the minimalists amongst us, a simple minidress with beaded straps nods to the trend whilst still staying true to your personal style. To up the ante, pair it with suede knee-high boots and gold bangles.

Shop the Look:

4. Brown Chiffon Minidress + Statement Accessories

Style Notes: Draped chiffon fabrics in soft earthy tones are the epitome of the modern boho trend. Opt for browns, creams, blush pinks and sands to take inspiration from the Chloé runway that kickstarted the resurgence. Go all out with your accessories with a scarf head tie and oversized sunnies, and hey presto: you're ready for a stylish summer.

Shop the Look:

5. Brown Minidress + White Jeans

Style Notes: Dresses layered over trousers are a huge trend this season, so this ticks off two trends in one go. A tiered chocolate dress over white jeans gives a fresh, crisp contrast, and taking inspiration from Monikh by adding an oversized belt gives that finishing boho touch to tie it altogether.

Shop the Look:

Not to worry—linen dresses will always be in style, but they are one of those dress types that annually fade from relevance as soon as summer changes to autumn and make their return at the first sign of spring. So if you're a dress wearer, you likely start seeking out the future autumn dress trends at some point during July or August. Just in time, Monica Barbaro was spotted wearing what's sure to be autumn's biggest dress trend: satin and taffeta styles.

While out promoting her new film, One Night Only, in NYC over the weekend, Monica wore a black satin minidress with a high square neck. I'm aware that there's nothing groundbreaking about satin dresses. What sets the satin dresses of 2026 apart from the typical versions is that those made of thicker duchess satin and taffeta are rapidly rising. The structure of Barbaro's A-line dress by NYC-based brand Lein certainly set it apart from all the other LBDs out there. She made it summer-appropriate by pairing it with high-heeled mule sandals. It's as simple as an outfit gets, but it's also as special as an outfit gets thanks to the dress. Let this serve as proof that this is a trend you can start wearing long before autumn even begins.

Keep scrolling to see the Monica-endorsed trend for yourself and shop chic taffeta and heavy satin dresses for your own summer and autumn wardrobe.

The Dress Trend on Monica Barbaro

On Monica Barbaro: Lein Beau Dress (£1294); Gianvito Rossi Sofia Mule 95 (£750)

Shop Satin and Taffeta Dresses