Category Analysis: Spring/Summer Dress Trends 2024

TOP COLOR: WEARABLE WHITES

Without a doubt, white dresses were the it-item across runways during the Spring/Summer 2024 fashion month. Designers like Bevza, Giambattista Valli, Valentino and more partook in this trend, bringing it top-of-mind for consumers whether seen in sheers, lace, longer lengths and even in knits. Plus, 2024 is set to be a strong year for the bridal market—making a need for a variety of white styles to make an appearance from bachelorette parties to rehearsal dinners. 

White dresses have an extreme search volume following the Spring/Summer 2024 fashion shows with 150k average weekly searches. Market adoption is +16% to last year, most saturated in the contemporary market, and is expected to continue growth at a stable rate throughout the year.

This year has seen increased interest in elevated bohemian materials like lace and sheer knits. The white lace dress is a favorite, most saturated in the contemporary market with +35% market adoption to last year. Top selling brands include LoveShackFancy and Zimmermann.

This summer is all about the LWD––little white dress. White mini dresses are steadily growing in the market, up +29% to last year in searches with strong online engagement rates. Discount levels are moderate as this trend ranges from the luxury to off-price markets.

With increased interest in midi lengths, the white midi dress has a high search volume of 17k average weekly searches. Products in the market are up +6% in the last 30 days, resulting in 4k available products as of March 30, 2024.

White maxi dresses are an emerging trend, +23% in average weekly searches, and most saturated in the luxury market. Online engagement for this trend is strong while market adoption is up +59% to last year.

SLIP DRESSES FOR THE SUMMER

The slip dress is a simply feminine style that feels versatile and effortless. Whether a mini or midi, solid or printed, there are limitless styling options when it comes to this trend. Nodding to the ‘90s, this slinky style is a summer top pick perfect for any and all occasions.

Slip dresses are an emerging trend within the luxury market, experiencing a +28% increase in average weekly searches to last year. Market adoption for all slip dress styles is +40% to last year with Farfetch and Revolve as top selling retailers.

Satin slip dresses are +23% to last year in market adoption and have a high average weekly search volume of 6k. Note emerging brands like DISSH and Ardene participating in this trend, maintaining moderate discount levels.

Midi slip dresses are an elevated classic and oftentimes a bridal favorite for wedding events. Consumers are interested in midi lengths resulting in +37% market adoption to last year and strong online engagement. Top retailers include Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

Silk slip dresses are unsurprisingly most saturated in the luxury market seen from brands like Voz, Raey and L’Agence. Products in the market are +13% to last year with low discount levels and medium search rates.

Lace slip dresses indulge in the lingerie-esque aesthetic, up +19% to last year. This trend is expected to continue growth for the next 6 months then stabilize. Fleur du Mal is a notable brand with a variety of lace slips that are garnering attention on social media.

IT FABRIC: NOTHING BUT KNITS

Knits are increasingly growing in the market for all seasons from chunky knits in winter––think J.W. Anderson––to chic, sheer knits in the summer. This fabrication is a new favorite within dresses that feels elevated and artistically crafted, making it a consumer must-have for the warmer months ahead.

Knit dresses are up +129% in market adoption to last year with 69k products in the market. TikTok has taken to this trend with 255M views on the platform thanks to consumers posting their favorite knit dresses and various styling options, too.

The knit maxi dress is a resortwear top pick, most saturated in the luxury market. This trend has a high search volume, up +18% to last year in weekly searches, with strong online engagement. Top brands include Missoni, VRG GRL and Princess Polly.

Growing at an accelerated rate, knit mini dresses are +33% to last year and expected to continue growth throughout 2024. Neiman Marcus and Net-A-Porter are top retailers in this category with low discount levels.

Sheer knits have made a statement on the runways recently, resulting in +71% products in the market to last year. Aya Muse is a noteworthy brand offering a wide selection of sheer knit dresses perfect for a beach cover-up or even a night out.

Similarly, the crochet dress is a summer must-have and currently trending on TikTok with 242M views. Market saturation is up +37% to last year, particularly within the luxury market, and is expected to continue growth over the next 6 months as a beachside favorite.

TOP STYLING DETAILS OF THE SEASON 

This season, we are seeing feminine design details, like ruffles, lead in the dress market alongside nostalgic updates, nodding to the ‘60s and ‘80s. Drop waists, halter necklines, bubble hems and peplum styles are on consumer radars this spring and summer.

Bubble hems made an appearance at the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter 2024 shows, and we are slowly seeing this style infiltrate the market. Most saturated in luxury, market adoption has increased +16% in the last 30 days––note Oh Polly’s newly released Garden Party Collection including fresh-feeling bubble hem minis.

Drop waist dresses, commonly seen in the ‘20s and ‘60s, are back and here to stay as a safe bet trend. This trend has a high search volume of 6k average weekly searches, +63% to last year, with strong online engagement. Arcina Ori’s “Celine Dress” made a splash online, bringing this style to the forefront of the industry.

Ruffles are a feminine design detail coming back into mainstream fashion due to increased interest in all things girly. Ruffle dresses, particularly those with diagonal waterfall-like ruffles, are +23% to last year with high search volumes of 19k a week. Also, this trend is growing on TikTok with 69M views and growing.

To learn more about trends that are growing — and dying, please contact hello@trendalytics.co.