One of my favourite pastimes is deep-diving into Instagram and spotting the buzziest pieces everyone is wearing, especially before they become a thing. Finding trends and predicting which items are set for cult status is my USP, and this is great for me, as it means I can snap up said cult buy before it sells out (not so great for my bank balance, I might add) and share said info.
This summer, dresses continue to be a key focus for most designers and retailers. After all, who doesn’t love an outfit in one piece? Dresses that require minimal styling and make getting ready a breeze will always have my attention, and this ease is the secret to their popularity. If you’re wondering which particular dress style or trend is most popular right now, the answer is pretty much anything goes. As you’ll see when you scroll down below, there is a broad spectrum of shapes, colours and prints, meaning there’s something for everyone. I’ve put together the eight dresses I’m predicting will fill your Instagram feed this summer, from the must-know emerging labels to the dress brought back by Carrie Bradshaw in the SATC remake, And Just Like That….
The Diana dress was first designed by the legend that is Norma Kamali back in the ’70s, and whilst popularity for the dress has only just resurfaced in the last 12 months, the designer has reportedly said its selling so well that it’s as if it is being given away for free—which must also explain why it’s available in 24 colours! Sarah Jessica Parker may have had a little part to play in the popularity of the dress after wearing it in the hit comeback SATC show And Just Like That…, but it also seems to tick all the boxes at a time when people are travelling freely again post-COVID lockdowns and when body-con is once again a trend many influencers want to be seen in. From Alessandra Ambrosio to Ashley Graham, the Diana dress has a long list of A-list fans and is always selling out…
British label Mary Benson is my most recent Instagram discovery, and this is the Zelda dress. In vibrant retro-inspired floral prints, these dresses instantly uplift from the moment you put them on, and the best bit is they require minimal styling and speak for themselves. They’re perfect for summer occasions such as weddings, Wimbledon and more, and you can also team them with some white plimsolls or flat sandals for a smart-casual lunch with friends.
If you’re unfamiliar with Alémais, it’s a new Aussie brand fast becoming the go-to under-the-radar label for influencers. The brand has a unique outlook with particularly unusual prints, all at a pretty reasonable contemporary price. The brand’s signature patterns often transcend seasons, which is part of their appeal and why this dress, like the rest of its collection, won’t stay in stock for long.
Australian label Aje is currently the coolest dress name to drop. Filling a gap in the market for attainable luxury at a competitive price point, its designs are a modern take on occasionwear. Think less twee and more effortless cool. This one-shoulder dress is already one of the brand’s key styles for 2022.
Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey know how to make a good dress. Their vintage-inspired designs are the secret to their success, as they rarely follow trends. It’s unlikely their dresses will date, and they are always cut for a woman’s curves, suit everyone—mothers and daughters alike—and have been offered in a more extensive size run in recent seasons. This dress, aptly named the Sardinia, screams summer. What I love about it is the structured crochet top, which means no bra is required.
Free People knows how to create buzz around a dress, and this one in white has been filling my Insta feed for the last month. It’s now sold out, but this earthy colourway is the one I’m predicting will be the brand’s next hit. Not to mention, it’s also a way to buy into the boho trend in a slightly more grown-up fashion.
Bogota-born Kika Vargas was inspired by her childhood memories of watching her mother dress up, so she created her own collection of dresses that feel like you’re playing dress-up, too. Her signature voluminous silhouettes feel surprisingly easy to wear and, as you can imagine, require minimal accessorising. If you’re looking to stop your followers in their tracks or make an entrance this summer, then put Kika Vargas on your radar.
Stylist Martha Ward is known for her unapologetically romantic style and rarely deviates from her delicate colour palette. For summer, she has created a capsule collection of the prettiest pieces with British lifestyle brand Bamford, and this is my favourite one. She has quite a following, with many trying to emulate her romantic-Brit style, so I expect these dresses won’t be in stock for long. I’ve styled mine with a pair of Scholl’s iconic Pescura sandals. They’re set to be the sandals of the summer and will give all your dresses a new-season vibe.
