I'm Not a Dress Person, But These 5 New Trends Are Calling My Name

I'm not a big dress person, but I seriously might buy into these new dress trends. They're that good.

Confession: I'm not a big dress person. I know, I'm probably in the minority here, as I'm someone who reaches for jeans and pants constantly. But even though dresses may not be my go-to item most of the time, I've had my eye on a few new dress trends that are so good they're suddenly all I want to wear. So now that we've entered a new year with new wardrobe possibilities, I've been noticing a few fresh silhouettes popping up, and I'm totally smitten.

Each season presents a new crop of trends to try, but the latest styles are particularly lust-worthy if you ask me. There are the printed mesh dresses teleporting me back to the '90s and the easy column dresses I plan to throw on with sneakers and some gold jewelry. Winter dresses just might be the best dresses of them all (yet another unpopular opinion), and I happen to think that all five of the below styles are a vibe.

Keep scrolling to see the new dress trends I just know you’re going to love as much as I do. 

Bare Backs

If there's one trend that's inescapable at the moment, it's these dresses with wide-open backs. Plenty of designers iterated on the skin-baring look which means there's sort of something for everyone, whether it's Dion Lee's slinky knits or Staud's dreamy oversize creations.  

Shop the trend:

Savannah Morrow The Label + Net Sustain Harmony Open-Back Silk and Organic Cotton-Blend Midi Dress ($479)

Reformation Underwood Dress ($248)

Staud Penelope Dress ($495)

FP Beach Time to Shine Midi Dress ($78)

Sultry Sweaters

You can forget about boring sweaterdresses because the knit numbers on offer right now are so much cooler. With interesting details like cutouts and cold shoulders taking the humble sweater dress up a notch, and with a piece as eye-catching as it is comfortable, I can easily see these taking off.

Shop the trend:

Cult Gaia Mariel Cold-Shoulder Knit Dress ($658)

Eloquii One Shoulder Fitted Dress ($100)

Victor Glemaud Long Sleeve Turtleneck Dress in Poppy ( $595) $417

& Other Stories Ribbed Sweetheart Neck Bustier Midi Dress ($129)

'90s Mesh

Another '90s trend I'm eyeing? Shocker, I know. Everything about these printed mesh numbers reminds me of the '90s grunge aesthetic, which might have something to do with the fact that they look especially good with chunky combat boots.

Shop the trend:

Ganni Floral-Print Ruched Midi Dress ($325)

Ioannes Open-Back Printed Stretch-Mesh Maxi Dress ($720)

Urban Outfitters Tie-Dye Spliced Mesh Midi Dress ($69)

Inamorata Vita Mini Dress ($135)

Bold Shoulders

Strong shoulders create such a chic silhouette without really trying. If you're into the bold look, go for a slinky minidress that will become your new favorite party look (when those are a thing again).

Shop the trend:

Retrofete Barbara Dress in Olive Green ( $695) $556

Amur Brea Dress ($548)

Eloquii Folded Shoulder Ribbed Sweater ($40)

& Other Stories Fitted Padded Shoulder Midi Dress ($89)

Minimalist Maxis

Super-simple column dresses were a prominent style on the spring 2021 runways, especially in solid neutral tones like at Jacquemus and Victoria Beckham.

Shop the trend:

Christopher Esber Twisted Quartz Cut-Out Jersey Dress ($940)

Norma Kamali Go Turtleneck Long Sleeve Maxi Dress ($96)

Ninety Percent Ruched Detail Midi Dress ($120)

French Connection Babysoft Mock Neck Sweater Dress ( $98) $49

Next: I Let a Stylish Overhaul My Closet—10 Mistakes I'll Never Make Again

This story originally appeared on: WhoWhatWear - Author:Anna LaPlaca