Vogue’s Master Shopping List for Spring/Summer 2025 Dresses

Textures and craftsmanship took the spotlight this season, especially in accessories, while also making a strong presence in apparel. Black-and-white textured handknits graced Khaite’s runway, and Heirlome—a brand dedicated to supporting Mexican and Latin American designers—showcased crochet dresses made in collaboration with Bolivian artisans. Meanwhile, designers like Phoebe Philo proposed a modern shirtdress that seamlessly transitions from work to holiday. Style it with brogues or pumps for the office and switch to sandals, as Proenza Schouler did, for anywhere else.
If you're seeking something more graphic, the striped dress is a must-have. Stripes appeared in various widths, sometimes with pops of color, and were featured on unexpected silhouettes. But no spring wardrobe could be complete without a floral piece. There was choice aplenty this season, as florals took on fresh interpretations, bringing new life to the classic pattern. Among print trends is another vying for your attention. Enter the polka-dot print dress. Thanks to initial inspiration from the runways at Moschino and Carolina Herrera, there are modern interpretations showcasing draped, twisted, and strapless silhouettes,
Ahead is Vogue’s edit of the best dresses inspired by the Spring Summer 2025 trends.
The Butter Yellow Dress
If there's one color trend you should opt into, especially as a neutral enthusiast, it's butter yellow. Butter yellow has quickly become a runway staple, sprinkled across a variety of spring/summer 2025 catwalks. From Alaïa’s billowy trousers and Toteme’s cape gown to Chanel’s regal silken dresses and Miu Miu's lace-trimmed mini slip dresses, the lightwash color serves as an alternative to cream, beige, grey, and white. Test out the hue with Khaite, Staud, and Jacquemus this season.
Khaite
Coraline halterneck maxi dress
Bernadette
Vera strapless ruched striped cotton-seersucker maxi dress
Alaïa
asymmetric jersey midi dress
The Drop Waist Dress
Trousers and jeans are getting lower and lower, and so are the waists on some of our favorite dresses. But this trend is nothing new! The classic design is poised to take over, yet again, this season, thanks to its power to elongate the silhouette. The best part about these effortless, unfussy designs is their versatility. Wear yours simply with minimalist flats and '90s-inspired handbags. Or, go bold, and accessorize with drop earrings, raffia totes, and strappy sandals.
Proenza Schouler
Tala halter viscose georgette dress
By Malene Birger
Riviera Marc organic-cotton dress
Alaïa
strapless pleated stretch-jersey midi dress
Esse Studios
Illi scarf-detailed strapless silk crepe de chine maxi dress
Jacquemus
La Robe agave drop waist cotton poplin midi dress
The Polka-Dot Dress
Polka-dots are back in a significant way, and reinvigorated interpretations from the spring/summer 2025 runways are anything but the dainty styles of the past. There were semi-sheer, plunging necklines that swathed around the ankles at Moschino, draped and asymmetric shapes at Marina Moscone, and crochet-detailed craftiness at Carolina Herrera, for starters. Off the runway, there are plenty of summer-ready styles to sport now, from Rixo's high neckline and J.Crew's demure, puffed-sleeve dresses. There are even high-street finds from Zara, which give new life to the traditional halterneck dress.
Rixo
polka-dot cotton maxi dress
Sea
Paulina polka dot bubble coverup dress
Marina Moscone
twill polka dot tabard tie dress
Minimalist Mastercraft
Craft was brought to the forefront for spring-summer 2025. Crochet, macramé, handwoven knits, and fringe added a tactile richness to the collections. These intricate dresses are destined to become heirlooms when treated with love and care. Accessorize with sleek gold and silver jewelry to offset the tactility of the dresses. For a modern look, pair yours with a minimal but interesting style shoe, such as Proenza’s perforated leather slingback pumps, and a structured handbag.
Carolina Herrera
polka-dot crochet-knit sleeveless midi dress
Simkhai
Sonia woven fringe tank dress
Mango
openwork knit dress with fringes
Itty-Bitty Minis
Our legs have been layered and protected for months—it is time to set them free! This season’s mini dress trend is coquettish and ladylike, with a hint of babydoll charm. We suggest grounding and balancing the ultra short dress with a minimal flat shoe, such as a sleek ballet flat, sneaker à la Loewe, or a leather oxford. If you do need some height, try a micro-wedge or a kitten heel. A flat or very low heel’s practicality and ease will make your overall look unfussy and chic, while adding a cool factor.
Prada
linen mini dress with lace embroidery
Dôen
Almadia crochet-trimmed ramie mini dress
Emilia Wickstead
Sidnie strapless striped duchesse-satin mini dress
Norma Kamali
Pickleball ruched mini dress
Seeing Stripes
Stripes are timeless, yet their significance has evolved throughout history. While they are often associated with nautical or preppy styles today, stripes have also symbolized freedom and creative expression, as seen on icons such as Jean Seberg and Pablo Picasso. Designers may have been drawing inspiration from this rich history, using stripes as a bold statement of individuality. Avoid a nautical look, by wearing anything but a boat shoe, unless you want to fully embrace that aesthetic. This classic print is easy to style, and you can accessorize based on occasion. for example, the Jean Paul Gaultier below can be worn with a high-heeled strappy sandal for a party or with a slipper-style shoe for at-home entertaining.
Bottega Veneta
knotted paneled striped silk-habotai maxi dress
Christopher John Rogers
striped halter neck ruffle dress
Proenza Schouler
Yves stripe fringed knit dress
Banana Republic
sculpted stripe maxi dress
The Draped Dress
For those who gravitate toward romantic styles or simply love a figure-hugging silhouette, this is the trend to embrace. Whether for daytime or evening, these dresses will make you feel like a goddess. Draped dresses came in various gorgeous hues, lengths, and fabrics this season. Mattieu Blazy at Bottega Veneta sent a tangerine ankle-length jersey gown down the runway, while Stella McCartney proposed a chiffon periwinkle blue mini version with a cape that billowed with the wind. When styling, let the focus be the dress and do not over-accessorize or wear a long strap bag, as this can disrupt the dress’s flow. Punctuate the look with a statement earring or a metal cuff, or bangle. Pair your dress with open-toe mules or flat sandals for a more summery look.
Stella McCartney
draped high neck silk midi dress
Coperni
draped embellished jersey maxi dress
Alaïa
gathered halterneck maxidress
De La Vali
Ravenna cutout mini dress
Tove
Eleanor paneled twisted stretch-jersey halterneck maxi dress
The Modern Shirtdress
The answer to not knowing what to wear is the modern shirtdress. If you buy just one dress this season, make it this one—its versatility is worth the investment. Proenza Schouler’s version is short with a cape-like back panel that adds the perfect amount of drama, while Phoebe Philo’s is long and oversized. Treat your shirtdress like a blank canvas that can be painted with fun pops of color such as cherry red and Yves Klein blue in jewelry, handbags and shoes. Also note that with a simple change of accessories, pumps to sandals, leather tote to raffia panier, and maybe even a lipstick shade swap, you can be immediately transformed and transported out of office.
Banana Republic
Matte silk twist-front shirt dress
Rosie Assoulin
striped tie high-low shirtdress
Proenza Schouler
Isla striped cotton-silk poplin cape mini shirtdress
Dries Van Noten
Delicky wrap midi shirtdress
Simkhai
Jazz pleated cotton-blend poplin midi shirt dress
Fashion-Forward Florals
A floral dress is practically a quintessential spring staple, and this season, the runway provided them with heaps of bouquets and unexpected silhouettes. Marc Jacobs, Zomer and Prada all offered unique takes on the classic floral frock. Lean into the fashion forward styles from Loewe for a fresh take on the print. To break from tradition, swap the usual mules or sandals for brogues or sneakers for a more unconventional look.
Dries Van Noten
printed ombré silk slip dress
Altuzarra
Connie tiered silk-organza midi dress
Sheer Delights
The transparency trend, a carryover from previous seasons, continues to be strong. Organzas, chiffons, and tulles can be demure or bold, depending on a designer's take and the chosen underpinnings. Since her debut, Nensi Dojaka has consistently promoted celebrating the female form with sheer fabrics, and this season, she offered more of her covetable designs. Khaite proposed airy and layered organza dresses and separates, while Simone Rocha’s approach was ladylike and quirky. If you opt for a fully sheer frock, our advice is to pair it with a simple slip or a clean bralette and brief - we leave the brief style to your discretion - preferably in the same color or in the same color story. If you are more daring and playful, you can always opt for a fun contrast color underneath and look beyond the slip and underpinnings to matching leggings and tops the way Prada styled their sheer dress on the runway.
Paloma Wool
Zanic paneled sheer maxi dress
Oséree
lumière metallic maxi dress
Zimmermann
Illuminate sheer draped shirtdress
Lafayette 148 New York
handkerchief silk organza maxi dress
Khaite
Noah silk organza long dress
Originally published by vogue.com. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of Vanity Fair Fashion.



