I'm Not a Dress Person, But These 5 New Trends Are Calling My Name

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(Image credit: @bellathomas)

Confession: I'm not a big dress person. I know, I'm probably in the minority here, as I'm someone who reaches for jeans and pants constantly. But even though dresses may not be my go-to item most of the time, I've had my eye on a few new dress trends that are so good they're suddenly all I want to wear. So now that we've entered a new year with new wardrobe possibilities, I've been noticing a few fresh silhouettes popping up, and I'm totally smitten.

Each season presents a new crop of trends to try, but the latest styles are particularly lust-worthy if you ask me. There are the printed mesh dresses teleporting me back to the '90s and the easy column dresses I plan to throw on with sneakers and some gold jewelry. Winter dresses just might be the best dresses of them all (yet another unpopular opinion), and I happen to think that all five of the below styles are a vibe.

Keep scrolling to see the new dress trends I just know youre going to love as much as I do. 

Bare Backs

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere; Pictured: Dion Lee Lustrate Chain Mini Dress ($1390))

If there's one trend that's inescapable at the moment, it's these dresses with wide-open backs. Plenty of designers iterated on the skin-baring look which means there's sort of something for everyone, whether it's Dion Lee's slinky knits or Staud's dreamy oversize creations.

Shop the trend:

Sultry Sweaters

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(Image credit: @bellathomas)

You can forget about boring sweaterdresses because the knit numbers on offer right now are so much cooler. With interesting details like cutouts and cold shoulders taking the humble sweater dress up a notch, and with a piece as eye-catching as it is comfortable, I can easily see these taking off.

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'90s Mesh

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(Image credit: @champagnemani)

Another '90s trend I'm eyeing? Shocker, I know. Everything about these printed mesh numbers reminds me of the '90s grunge aesthetic, which might have something to do with the fact that they look especially good with chunky combat boots.

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Bold Shoulders

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(Image credit: @smythsisters)

Strong shoulders create such a chic silhouette without really trying. If you're into the bold look, go for a slinky minidress that will become your new favorite party look (when those are a thing again).

Shop the trend:

Minimalist Maxis

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(Image credit: @tamaramory)

Super-simple column dresses were a prominent style on the spring 2021 runways, especially in solid neutral tones like at Jacquemus and Victoria Beckham.

Shop the trend:

Next: I Let a Stylish Overhaul My Closet—10 Mistakes I'll Never Make Again

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.