The 11 Top Spring 2024 Dress Trends to Try, from Denim to Crochet (2024)

Boho CrochetCreative CutoutsLong White DressesBold PrintsAll Things Sky BlueAccentuated Waists

Sheer DressesWhimsical TiersMuted PastelsDenim DressesDresses Over Pants

• Lucy Aylen is a fashion designer and the founder of clothing brandNever Fully Dressed.
• Audree Kate Lópezis a professional fashion stylist and editor based in New York City.
• Suzanne Smallshaw is the senior director of fashion and styling at Rent the Runway.

Boho Crochet

According to Aylen and New York City-based stylist Audree Kate López, boho-inspired dresses—particularly of the crocheted variety—are bound to be everywhere this spring and beyond. "If sheer is not your vibe, a great alternative is knit and crochet dresses," López says. "I think these are great transitional dresses for spring and keep the sheer dresses for the extreme heat of summer."

A few crochet dresses that instantly caught our attention? The Andrea Iyamah Egu Crochet Dress ($540), Eloquii Crochet Maxi Dress With Collar & Fringe ($78), and For Love & Lemons Olina Crochet Mini Dress ($229). Hoping for something a bit bolder? The pink, red, and orange Never Fully Dressed Red Crochet Valentina Dress ($255) will make you swoon, as will the long-sleeve Farm Rio Colorful Stripes Crochet Midi Dress ($450) and Show Me Your Mumu Happy Halter Mini Dress ($88).

Styling Tip: "Embrace this trend by opting for a boho-chic crochet dress paired with woven sandals to ground the outfit and layered jewelry for added interest," Aylen suggests. "Neutral tones mixed with bold colors in crochet elevate your outfit for any occasion." Another option? López suggests pairing crochet dresses with cowboy boots. "Lean into the retro boho meets coastal cowgirl vibes for this trend," she explains. "I personally love the patchwork trend—it’s boho, whimsical, and a statement in itself. If you love prints and color blocking, patchwork will be your favorite. It’s a nod to the ‘70s, and we have seen the patchwork trend pop up in outerwear, handbags, and even denim."

Creative Cutouts

Early aughts fashion continues to inspire modern-day style trends, but López says that one relic we’re beginning to veer away from is the completely-bare belly. In its place, we’re seeing a rise in cutout dresses. "You will notice more strategic cutouts in dresses this year," she explains. "For example, you will find more keyhole chest cutouts, ribcage, hip, and upper waist cutouts."

A few cutout dresses that have ended up in our own carts include the Farm Rio Adidas Farm Psychedelic Wave Red Dress ($90), the Abercrombie & Fitch Giselle Pleated Cutout Maxi Dress ($150), and Simkhai Alex Pleated Cut Out Dress ($395).

Styling Tip: Cutouts come in all shapes and sizes. "Choose a dress with strategically placed cutout details to highlight your curves and add visual interest," Aylen says. "Pair with statement accessories and sleek hair for a bold and contemporary look."

Long White Dresses

It’s an antiquated belief that white dresses are only for summer, or that only little black dresses can make a wow-worthy statement."Long live the LBD, but for spring and summer, opt for the long white dress," López says. "A mini or midi is always acceptable, too, but this year, we are seeing maxi white dresses all over the runways and social media. A long white maxi dress screams 'old money aesthetic' or Nancy Meyers main character; it’s a more mature, chic version of the cottage core girl, and it’s timeless and classic."

Rent the Runway’s senior director of fashion and styling, Suzanne Smallshaw, agrees. "This spring, designers are steering away from vibrant colors in favor of swan-white dresses that exude purity and sophistication," she says. "From sheer to embroidered designs, white dresses are a must-have for the season."

Need a white dress stat? We love the looks of the Re Ona Maxi Knit Dress ($165), Maeve The Soren Long-Sleeve Shirt Dress ($148), Hutch Amara Gown ($394), and the Free People Ultraviolet Dress ($148).

Styling Tip: White pairs well with every color—neutral and bold alike. "I imagine this with white sneakers or brown sandals, a sweater tied around the shoulders, and perfectly curated jewelry," López says.

Bold Prints

Tired of neutrals and solid colors? Opt for a fun printed dress. "Animal prints are back, channeling an undeniable sense of confidence and allure," Smallshaw says. "Leopard and zebra print, in particular, reign supreme this season.” According to Aylen, though, all prints are welcome in 2024. "[This trend is] drawing inspiration from travels; the different cultures, art, and history introducing storytelling elements to each piece, introducing color in prints for feel-good dressing," she says.

A few printed dresses that are bound to turn heads include the Autumn Adeigbo Debbie Dress ($450), Reformation Felda Midi Dress ($278), and H&M Oversized Zebra Shirt Dress ($26).

Styling Tip: Aylen says to use colors and patterns to portray your personality, and Smallshaw suggests using patterns to create a focal point. "Incorporate animal print into your dress with statement accessories or opt for a bold animal print dress as the focal point of your outfit," Smallshaw tells us. Aylen adds to "ground the prints with neutral accessories and shoes," but if you prefer maximalist style, you can also go all out with the colors of your choosing.

All Things Sky Blue

For the past few months, the color red has ruled the fashion scene. For spring, though, there’s been a complementary transition to all things periwinkle and sky blue. "The new color in town is blue, especially sky blue," López says, noting that it pairs well with red according to the color wheel. "Red was the 'it-girl' color for fall and winter, and now we’re seeing this icy meets sky blue gain in popularity. We saw this color across various designers like JW Anderson, Bottega Veneta, and Alaia—it’s a nod to the Y2K aesthetic of icy blue eyeshadow, metallics, and silver."

Some sky blue dresses that are bound to stop people in their tracks? The Abercrombie & Fitch Premium Linen Scalloped Midi Dress ($130), Sunday in Brooklyn Bow Mini Shift Dress ($138), and Diarrablu Myra Dress ($225).

Styling Tip: To keep the sky blue trend current, López says to add pops of red, orange, and brown to the outfit. For example, you could wear the Staud Landscape Dress Azure ($195) with the Tecovas Limited Edition Honey/Bone Annie Star Boots ($375) for a western chic ensemble. Another option? Pair the Hill House Home Powder Blue Tulle Ellie Nap Dress ($278) with the red, white, and blue Adidas Gazelle Bold Shoes ($120).

Accentuated Waists

As much as we love oversized silhouettes, this spring, it’s all about accentuated waists, Smallshaw says. "The Y2K waistline revival brings together Victorian elegance with a modern twist, showing off the beauty of a cinched waist," she explains.

The beauty of this trend is that many dresses fit the bill, as you can simply pop on a belt to create definition. For example, the Tuckernuck Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress ($128) fits loosely, but paired with the Streets Ahead Harley Belt ($269), it’s a casual cinched masterpiece. Don’t want to buy a separate belt? The Rhode Ella Mini Dress ($445) is a flouncy swing dress that comes with a removable braided belt for cinching. Meanwhile, if you want a dress that looks cinched all on its own, consider the Old Navy Puff-Sleeve Midi Swing Dress ($25)—a Hill House dupe that fits like a dream—or the Bardot Anika Corset Satin Dress ($149).

Styling Tip: The easiest way to achieve an accentuated waist is to opt for a dress with corset-inspired details or waist ties, Smallshaw says. But you can transform almost any dress into a fit-and-flare silhouette with a belt—and this styling hack infuses your outfit with even more personality.

Sheer Dresses

No desire to rock the no-pants trend? López says you can lean into the scantily clad vibes with a sheer dress, like the AFRM Shailene Dress ($88), Tia Adeola Net Dress ($20), or For Love & Lemons Temecula Maxi Dress ($298). "A sheer dress is the perfect way to participate in the trend but not overexpose your body," she says. "You can layer shorts, briefs, a bodysuit, or a mini slip dress under the longer sheer dress for the look. This is also great for vacation because it can transition from beach to dinner."

Styling Tip: Opting for sheer textiles is a bold move, so lean into the statement. "Have fun with this style—wear it with a slip for work or with a swimsuit for the beach, and add bold jewelry and a bright lip for added interest," Aylen suggests.

Whimsical Tiers

Midi and maxi dresses are trending this spring—especially those with tiered detailing. "Over the past year, we have seen hemlines grow and midi and maxi dresses become increasingly popular," López says. "Since cottage core and coquette aesthetics are trending—and the pending 2010s/boho vibes cycling back to the runways—larger skirts, tiered skirts, and A-line [silhouettes] will be the hot item. We have seen an increase in maxi skirts on the market, and this naturally leads into dresses."

Styling Tip: Whimsical tiered dresses pair just as beautifully with statement sandals as they do cowboy boots. Take the Never Fully Dressed Matilda Wrap Dress ($175), for example. It works with strappy sandals, slingback pumps, and cowboy boots alike. (The Brother Vellies Mermaid Doodle Cowboy Boots, $1150, would add a fun Western flair to the fit.) The same is true of the By Anthropologie Corset Tiered Lace Ruffle Dress ($268) and Farm Rio Orange Guipure Sleeveless Maxi Dress ($345)—they can pair with just about any footwear and still look whimsical.

Muted Pastels

Pastels might not be groundbreaking for spring, but they remain a top color choice for dresses in the months ahead. "Muted pastels dominate the spring scene with their soft hues," Smallshaw says. "Choose dresses in light lilac, sky blue, or pale pink to embody this trend effortlessly." If you prefer warmer tones, try pale yellow and peach hues.

A few pastel dresses we’re eyeing this season include the gorgeous new Lilly Pulitzer x Badgley Mischka Fritzi Ruffle Dress ($550), the cult-favorite Free People Ruffle It Up Midi Dress ($108), the simple yet stunning Fe Noel Lilac Ice Bella Slip Dress ($598), and the Free People Suddenly Fine Daisy Combo Maxi Slip Dress ($98).

Styling Tip: If you want to take on a more minimalist appearance, Smallshaw says to "pair your pastel dress with minimalist accessories to let the delicate color shine." For a bolder look, try mixing things up with chunky accessories, layered necklaces, and an unexpected pair of sneakers over sandals or heels.

Denim Dresses

With Western-inspired fashion on the rise, denim is even more popular this spring. "Denim takes center stage this spring, offering a fresh take on the Canadian tuxedo," Smallshaw says. "Modernize this trend by looking for various cuts and styles, from classic shirt dresses to trendy midi lengths." A few of our favorite silhouettes that fit the bill include the Heartloom Karia Dress ($129), Zara Denim Midi Dress ($70), and Staud Wells Fit-and-Flare Denim Mini Dress ($265).

Styling Tip: Don’t be afraid to layer on top of denim. "Layer your denim dress with a lightweight cardigan or denim jacket for added dimension," Smallshaw suggests.

Dresses Over Pants

This one’s a doozy, we know: "I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like dresses over pants are back in style," López says. The good news is that with a new era comes new ways to style the look.

Styling Tip: "If you participated in the trend the first time around like I did, you might be hesitant to layer these together, but this is a great way to style your knit, crochet, and sheer items or a dress that might be a little too short these days," López says. Opting for a layered look also works well with button-up dresses, which you can unbutton to your liking to show off your pants.