The Easy Dress Trends To Try For Summer 2024

We're readying our closets for the best that summer 2024 has to offer, and dresses are at the top of the list. While we're seeing all kinds of dresses emerging as trendy pieces for this season, we're particularly interested in dresses that lend themselves to easy styling. Sure, there are gowns, semi-formal frocks, and complex, structural attire, but right now we want pieces that are effortless and gorgeous at the same time. These trends are not only flattering and fashionable, but also a pleasure to slip into when you're dashing out the door. 

Dress styles for 2024 are offering a wide range of cuts. Long, structured hems in A-line midi styles are just as trendy as the mod mini dress, which is back with all of the 1960s callbacks we love. Necklines are equally varied, so there's something for everyone. One-shoulder dresses are also back in vogue, as are boat neck cutouts. There's a wonderful mix of fresh looks, plus some nostalgic returns to the early 2000s. These summer dresses are all about showcasing your particular style in a way that feels effortless and comfortable.  

While we saw the handkerchief hem make a bit of a comeback in the late summer and fall of 2023, the nostalgic styling is front and center for the summer of 2024. What we love about it is the dreamy effect of the uneven hemline. It's not too put together. It's feminine, it's whispy, and it's incredibly easy to wear. Since the dress speaks for itself, completing the look can be as simple or complex as you want. Style with a simple pair of clogs and an understated handbag, and you're good to go. 

One of the best things about the one-shoulder dress is how easy it is to take from casual to dressy. The Grecian-inspired single-shoulder neckline is elegant and simple to style. If you wear a bra with the dress, you'll have to source a good strapless one or breast shapers, so that's the only hitch. But besides the undergarment factor, these dresses are flattering and have a breezy, summertime flare. Pair with simple sandals with a walkable heel, or comfortable flats.

For those who can't get enough of 1960s fashion, the mod mini dress is another favorite we've seen re-emerging in summer 2024. The A-line silhouette nips in at the waist, with a hem that falls well above the knee. If you wear the dress on cooler days leading up to summer, try styling it with opaque tights and tonal heels. In the peak of summer, it's easy to wear the dress solo, and style it with a handbag that suits summer 2024's biggest trends. We're envisioning a purse that's delicate and structured. 

According to some followers of 2024's summer fashion, bodycon dresses are out. Of course, as is always the case with trends, you don't necessarily have to stop wearing what you love. However, if you are interested in dresses that tap into this summer's most current trends, try pieces that are nipped at the waist while still offering room to move. On TikTok, @teamdela, who talks fashion for tall girls, suggested browsing dresses from shops like Showpo, a clothing line that offers both mini and midi dresses that highlight curves while maintaining flow in the skirt portion of the dress. Better yet, it's an inclusive brand. Wearing a statement belt is another great way to accentuate your waist and curves. 

A classic white dress will always be in style, and the fresh, crisp frock is heavily trending for the summer of 2024. While we love the elegance of a midi-length, A-line cut dress, the particulars are up to you. Whether the dress is short or long, sleeved or sleeveless, a white dress is the quintessential piece of summer wear. Jazz things up with brightly colored kitten heels, or make it walkable with a pair of chunky slides. It's your summer, so you get to decide on your comfort level. A pair of oversized sunglasses adds the perfect finish. 

Sheer frocks, from slip dresses to avant-garde tulle overlays, are the most whimsical way to style your summer ensemble. The pieces might be as impractical as cotton candy, but they're equally delicious. Structure a base outfit with as much covering as you wish, then slip on a misty cloud of haze over your look. Some styles are more fitted to the body, while others billow around the silhouette. For extra layering, slip on a blazer to add the perfect contrast of workwear with gauze. We love a juxtaposition.