The Dress Report: The Names, Trends and Styling Tricks to Know This Summer

Now that we’re diving headfirst into the summer months at full speed, now is the perfect time to take a close look at one of the season’s most in-demand pieces—the dress. Summer is when we want to switch out jeans, knitwear and suede layers (thank you for your service) in favour of something a little more—how can I say this—swishy. Something fun! So I’ve taken it upon myself to evaluate the current dress climate for you.

As a fashion editor, I find myself routinely pouring over files of catwalk images, inspecting street style snaps and analysing Instagram, crowdsourcing ideas from colleagues and fashion friends, and taking a look back at archival photography to identify which key fashion styles are coming through today. I’ve focused my most recent efforts on dresses.

The dress remains as a year-round wardrobe staple, but it arguably comes to the fore in the summer season. Perhaps it’s the weather, the heat and the desire to de-robe a little, and no doubt, the romance of the season. Why are we so swept up in summer dresses? The summer dress comes in so many guises and forms that there's always one to suit your personal style, and this season's line-up is truly reflective of that. With this in mind, and with an abundance of sources at my disposal, I’ve set out to create the ultimate guide to dresses in 2025.

We are most certainly in the season of the dress, so read ahead to discover all of my findings on the most important trends, designers, styling techniques and bestselling dress styles that matter the most this summer.

The Dress Report: Your Guide to the Summer in Dresses

Small Brands, Big Impact

Image credits: Peachy Den, Susamusa, Kitri, Sister Jane, Rayan, Zeena Shah.

There’s a noticeable wave of small, independent designers who are slowly but surely gaining cult status. Hailing from the British capital, homegrown brands such as Peachy Den and Susamusa have become shorthand for cool London style, tapping into '90s and '00s Brit-pop culture. “I’m a very nostalgic person”, says Isabella Weatherby, Peachy Den’s founder and creative director. “I have an obsession with looking back through my childhood clothes, memory boxes and diaries, hoping that something will spark an idea”. No wonder starlets of today, such as Olivia Dean, Dua Lipa, Raye and Beabadoobee, have been spotted donning the brand's iconic dresses and separates, adding to their viral appeal.

For that whimsical, English country garden aesthetic, Kitri Studios, Sister Jane and Damson Madder have entered the chat. Statement fabrics, lace trims and bow detailing, plus charming, characterful designs, define their collections and, in particular, their best-selling dresses. “Storytelling is an essential part of the design process at Sister Jane” quotes Bernice Arriagada, senior designer at the brand. “Every collection has a narrative behind it and each dress is influenced by this. Inspiration comes in many different forms for us, but vintage references are always our go-to. Whether it’s for a celebration, a weekend getaway, or just because, wants her dress to be a moment.”