If You Like Receiving Compliments, These Pretty Dress Trends Belong in Your Cart

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

I'm a sucker for a great dress. A chic frock can be the perfect solution to summer dressing—easy to throw on with a pair of sandals, Mary Janes, or high heels—and reliable enough to see you through a whole host of summer occasions. I mean, once the temps surge above 75°, there is nothing more blissful than freeing my arms and legs and letting a single item take the sartorial spotlight.

Depending on your style aesthetic, there are plenty of fresh styles to try this season. Below, I'm highlighting 10 pretty trends, from alluring slip dresses to eye-catching crochet maxi dresses, that have the fashion-person stamp of approval this summer. These are more than just your basic dresses. These frocks feature details, fabrics, colors, and fashion-forward silhouettes that stand out from the crowd. In other words, they'll incite all the compliments when you step out in them! So if you want to hear "Wow, pretty dress!" the next time you head out to brunch, the beach, or a bar, then take a look below at the charming dress trends worth considering this summer.

Crochet and Open Knit

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(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Open-knit and crochet fabrics are everywhere this summer in everything from neutral hues to colorful patterns. Opt for a crochet dress in a sleek and streamlined silhouette instead to keep your look polished.

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Sultry Slips

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(Image credit: @michellemdriscoll)

Silky slips and boudoir-inspired dresses are having a major moment this summer season. Just add sleek flat sandals and a relaxed button-down to put a casual spin on the luxurious-looking frock.

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Lovely Linen

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(Image credit: @smythsisters)

Linen dresses exude an effortless elegance in summer. Whether you go for a pop of color or classic white, it's the perfect option to add to your summer arsenal.

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Cascading Ruffles

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(Image credit: @rubylyn_)

Cascading ruffles and hemlines are one of the prettiest trends we've been spotting on the fashion set this season. Romantic, ethereal, and playful, you're sure to get plenty of compliments in one of these below.

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Sheer

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(Image credit: @_jessicaskye)

Sheer fabrics dominated the runways, and the fashion set has been quick to jump on the alluring trend. Whether you go for a lacy fabric or tissue-thin transparent layers, a sheer frock exudes an of-the-moment look.

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Aquamarine

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

Lean into the mermaidcore trend, and opt for beautiful aquamarine hues, textured fabrics, and shimmering blue-green shades. Don't forget sea-inspired accessories to finish your look.

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Pretty Prints

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

It's not summer without some pretty, colorful prints. Whether you go for bold florals or geometric prints, they're ideal for your next warm-weather vacation.

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Rosettes

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(Image credit: @emmaleger)

Stunning 3D florals continue their dominance this summer, and we're seeing them on a myriad of dress styles. The pretty appliqué is a trend-forward way to wear your florals this season and is the perfect option for special occasions. 

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Shimmer and Shine

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(Image credit: @vivian.yrl)

In continuation with the mermaidcore trend, shimmery and glittery fabrics are trending hard this summer. Give them a casual touch and style over your swimsuits with casual sandals and minimal accessories.

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Ruching and Draping

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(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

The spring/summer 2023 runways were rife with beautiful goddess-inspired draped dresses and irresistible ruching details. Both retailers and the fashion set have been quick to lean into the pretty trend, and there's no doubt we'll see it in full force this summer.

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Next, 8 Dress Trends French Women Always Reach For in the Summer

Judith Jones
Senior Fashion Market Editor

Judith is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for nearly a decade. Judith started on the Shop Who What Wear team, creating content and managing a team of merchandisers for the Who What Wear shopping app. She later crossed over to the editorial team, where she shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands in her shopping-focused stories and social takeovers. She has become one of the top affiliate earners during her six plus years at Who What Wear. Before working in fashion, Judith was a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) and shared her passion for travel and food. She studied at the prestigious London Academy of Dramatic Arts as well as Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She later studied fashion merchandising and design, which laid the foundation for her career in fashion.


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