Posted by 
This post is also available in: 
English
繁體中文 (Chinese (Traditional))
Spring/Summer 2021 Edit: 7 must-have cute dresses
COVER STORY / 2021-03-17
We are so ready to look ahead and see what the warmer months of 2021 have in store for us in the fashion department. After a year that can be safely called ‘a loungewear era’, spring summer 2021 better have fashion trends that can renew our excitement for getting dressed each morning. And the good news is – they ARE!
Scouring through the runways of Paris, London, Milan and New York, we have brought you a cheat sheet for the upcoming season's biggest dress trends. The all new, rather risque dress trends are ones that will quickly raise your heart rate and your style in seconds. From Givenchy's shockingly low-back dresses to designers like Sandy Liang and Dion Lee offering up more approachable options for those of you who aren't quite ready to bare it all, we have got it all covered.
While fashion months for SS’21 collections looked nothing like they have in the past, the industry as a whole rose to the occasion. Except for a few socially-distant shows, we mostly saw tons of stunning digital lookbooks, and live digital experiences that felt lightyears beyond their time. In terms of the fashion shows, some sacrifices were certainly made, but creativity was not one of them. With the natural lack of social media coverage and buzz of the S/S 21 shows, it's normal to feel completely lost in terms of what went down on the runway this season, but lucky for you, that's what we're here to fill you in on. From the colours and fabrics you'll want in your wardrobe to the cool details you'll start seeing everywhere, here are the seven main spring/summer fashion trends to know this year.
Cut-out dresses
Get ready to sport funky tan lines and random places – thanks to the emergence of quirky cut-outs on dresses. Give your sundresses a little bit of edge with a flash of skin around the waist or an unexpected detail at the hips or thighs.
A layer of Sheer
The sheer overlay trend isn't everyone's cup of tea, but this season brings with it a range of cool new ways to embrace it. Layer semi-sheer maxi dresses over your bikini for beach-inspired '70s chic, or wear as an additional layer over your mini dresses. Wear a blazer over the top of a sheer slip or rock it in a DIY’d skirt form – whatever floats your boat, folks.
Monochrome Magic
In such unprecedented times that the world is facing, designers showed a predilection for a combination of black and white. At Dolce & Gabbana, monochrome patchwork dresses utilised archive rolls of fabrics from previous collections, whereas at Chanel, crisp monochrome layering prevailed. On most runways, Black and white dresses looked just the kind of elegant, no-fuss evening wear we’ve been longing for.
Pastel Shades
Pastels are a perennial trend when it comes to summers. When shopping for SS’21 buys, look to ice cream shops for inspo. Add soft sorbet hues to your wardrobe to bring a little sweetness to everything from billowing maxi dresses to mini dresses and even evening dresses.
Strappy-ness
We have a cool little name for this trend – dress flossing. Loosely translating as a series of crisscrossing cords and strap details resembling dental floss (hence the name) that can emerge from dresses in many ways. For e.g. souping up the middle region of a maxi dress. Flossing is likely all over your Instagram feed already, and thanks to designers like Victoria Beckham, it’s not going anywhere, anytime soon.
Red Dresses
There’s something seamlessly alluring about the color red – the hue of passion and love. This powerful shade packs a punch in the SS21 collections, where it’s used in dresses for maximum effect. At Valentino, whisper-thin Grecian gowns in Red felt instantly romantic. On the other hand, regency inspired elegance was offered at Emilia Wickstead and Fendi, where midi-length silhouettes were cinched at the waist and paired with a ladylike heel. The key is keeping the rest of your look pared back. Think slicked-back buns and minimal accessories to let that cute red dress really stand out.
Puffed and Airy
The puffed sleeve has become something of a wardrobe mainstay in recent seasons, but the SS21 collections dialled down the girlishness and brought a tougher attitude to this favorite sleeve silhouette. From whimsically rolling dresses in blue, to more fierce puffed shirt dresses, and utilitarian shirt dresses, ace designers like Altuzarra turned the volume up on the traditional sundress with a puffed sleeve that transformed this classic piece into a contemporary must-have.
If you are one of million fashion lovers seeking a guaranteed mood-boosting trend, look no further than cute summer dresses this season. Go outside in those frivolous dresses, swinging those delectable chain-strung micro pouches and trotting down the street in a fabulous pair of mules. There are jolly straps, clever cut-outs, sexy corseting and breezy fabrics to keep you amused. Time to play dress up with the spring/summer 2021 trends.