As someone who, prior to 2020, seldom wore anything but dresses, the last year has proved a struggle. I invested in my first pair of non-gym leggings, which I took to wearing like a second skin. Then there are jumpers—I think I now own more wool than a flock of sheep combined. Still, I long for the moment where dresses—the fancier the better—are called for. An idea I seem to share with every designer out there.
It’s always around this time that Who What Wear brings you its annual dress trends round-up; a certified edit of the most noteworthy frock looks for the year ahead. And while occasionwear had no place in our wardrobes in 2020, a host of our favourite brands—both high-end and high street–have concentrated their efforts on creating breathtaking dresses, just in time for rescheduled weddings, get-togethers, and evening plans. Just to be clear, when I say breathtaking, I mean breathtaking.
Sure, there are more conventional dress trends that cater to the everyday—knitted textures are staying put, as are puff sleeves. But the rest? They’re the stuff of fashion dreams. Cue tulle (and lots of it), joyful prints, look-at-me colours, sheer fabrications, and a revert back to mini hemlines (brace yourself). Keep scrolling to see nine dress trends 2021 has to offer—let’s all keep our fingers crossed for a year in which we can wear them all.
