The 7 Dress Trends Everyone Will Be Talking About (and Wearing) in 2024

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Launchmetrics Spotlight/Altuzarra; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Coperni; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Givenchy; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Victoria Beckham; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Prada; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Jil Sander

The sheer trend is nothing new, but the spring 2024 collections doubled down on the theme with an influx of translucent dresses with an undeniably angelic effect. Defined by layers of sheer tulle and organza that all came in a wash of cream and eggshell tones, this season is proving that sheer dressing is here to stay. 

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Launchmetrics Spotlight/Ferragamo; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Loewe; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Carven; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Victoria Beckham; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Tory Burch; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Alejandra Alonso Rojas

If you close your eyes and imagine a classic Greek statue, the image in your mind likely involves a figure with a piece of cloth draped and gathered across their body. This is the inspiration behind some of spring's most beautiful gowns. Seen in collections from Tory Burch to Loewe, these dresses feature the same kind of draping with micro pleats that highlight the gathered material. 

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Launchmetrics Spotlight/Theory; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Gucci; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Carven; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Versace; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Sandy Liang; Launchmetrics Spotlight/N.21

Now, I'm not saying that this season marks the end of maxi hemlines as we know them, but let me at least introduce you to the silhouette that I'm predicting to be up next: swingy shift dresses. We spotted short dresses with '60s energy all over the runways, where they were styled with ballet flats for even more sweetness. It's been a while since the shift dress had its moment, so it feels exciting to see it resurface.

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Launchmetrics Spotlight/Gucci; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Altuzarra; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Jil Sander; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Saint Laurent; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Loewe; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Victoria Beckham

Heavy satin is already shaping up to be a major 2024 trend. We've been reporting on satin coats and satin shoes for months now, but satin dresses are arguably where the pretty material hits its peak. In fact, designer Joseph Altuzarra is so committed to the look that he doused nearly his entire collection in the sumptuous fabric, and just this month, Aubrey Plaza stepped onto the Emmys red carpet in Loewe's yellow satin number. All in all, the best dresses are getting the lustrous treatment this season.

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Launchmetrics Spotlight/Alexander McQueen; Launchmetrics Spotlight/16Arlington; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Carven; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Louis Vuitton; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Coperni; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Bottega Veneta

We've noted how full circle skirts have been bubbling back up this year after a long hiatus, and now, the '50s-inspired silhouette is spilling over into dresses with pretty A-line numbers that feature cinched waists and full-volume skirts.

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Launchmetrics Spotlight/Christian Cowan; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Coperni; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Gucci; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Ulla Johnson; Launchmetrics Spotlight/OperaSport; Launchmetrics Spotlight/N.21

The classic nightgown is getting a revamp this year. Per Gucci, Coperni, and Ulla Johnson, slip dresses are undergoing a makeover with substantial lace trimming to give them a sultrier spin that's ideal for wearing beyond the bedroom—in fact, they're just asking to be worn for a night out.

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Launchmetrics Spotlight/Khaite; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Acne Studios; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Ferragamo; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Valentino; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Tom Ford; Launchmetrics Spotlight/Del Core

This year will be defined by elegant and opulent style, but that doesn't mean that risqué fashion is dead and gone—it's just changing shape. Instead of spliced-up midriffs and unusual cutouts, thigh-high slits are set to be the key avenue for showing a little skin, albeit in as polished and sophisticated a way as possible.