The Ultimate Dress Guide: 5 Styles To Wear This Season And Beyond
From sleek, office-ready button-downs to red-carpet-worthy gowns, these are the new-season dresses to add to your wish list (and the styling tips on how best to wear them), says COLLEEN ROSS
A dress is the quintessential investment piece – a closet icon that designers are constantly reinventing to create fresh and timeless iterations for every new season. Whether it’s a figure-skimming, lingerie-inspired mini dress for a romantic dinner date, or a bohemian-inspired maxi dress for your summer vacation, there’s always a dress to suit the occasion. So, as we dive into SS25’s latest collections, here’s our roundup of the key styles to wear for spring, and beyond.
9 to 5
When it comes to your workday closet, dresses are an effortless addition, and the sleekest styles demand very little in the way of accessorizing – think loafers or kitten-heel pumps and a tote. Shirt dresses are the perfect silhouette to wear on repeat no matter the season. Simkhai and Max Mara’s versions combine utilitarian elements with a polished, timeless elegance and will segue neatly into eveningwear with a few accessory swaps. Elsewhere, Maria McManus makes a convincing case for the knitted midi as a perfect business solution with her ribbed recycled-cashmere and organic cotton-blend style from our NET SUSTAIN edit – just add a burgundy shoulder bag and ballet flats to complete the look.
Evening elegance
Come evening, this season is all about slinky silhouettes and shimmering finishes – both look sleek for sundowner soirées and pack a punch at after-dark events. Meeting the criteria, Christopher Esber’s maxi has a cutout cashmere bodice and a lustrous silk-satin skirt that beautifully skims your figure, while Nina Ricci’s cream satin style has a draped open back and would work beautifully for a destination wedding or reception. Whichever style you choose, pair with sculptural earrings and low-heeled mules to keep things effortless. For something with a little sparkle, Stella McCartney’s asymmetric dress is covered in sequins that’ll catch the light as you dance. Plus, it’s from our NET SUSTAIN edit and crafted using lower-impact materials.
Vacation pieces
Dresses needs to offer versatility to earn their space in your suitcase – think easy cotton styles or floating maxis that drift effortlessly from beach to bar, and designs that double as cover-ups. Labels that specialize in resortwear should be your first port of call: Zimmermann’s floral-print ‘Everley’ style has an easy wrap front, while Missoni’s striped crochet-knit maxi will look stunning in beach-front photographs at sunset. Finally, no vacation lineup is complete without a breezy linen dress. New to NET-A-PORTER, Andres Otalora’s ‘Kamar’ dress comes in a sleek column shape that’s cut low at the back and embroidered with graphic white flowers. Wear it with a floppy hat and sandals for lunch by the sea or trips to the farmers’ market.
Off-duty
In warmer weather, a dress delivers instant downtime style, and this season’s favorite off-duty picks have low-key appeal; think simple tank dresses and versatile midi silhouettes. Also new to NET-A-PORTER this season and part of our NET SUSTAIN edit, Posse excels at effortlessly elegant designs that evoke the laid-back sensibility of its native Australia. The brand’s lightweight ‘Paloma’ dress with retro red polka dots will pair perfectly with loafers and a denim jacket in the city – or strappy sandals and a Jane Birkin-style basket bag on vacation. Alternatively, for something a touch more casual, try Loewe’s wool-blend jersey dress, which is minimally detailed with a twisted racerback and an embroidered anagram logo.
The big event
For weddings, garden parties and formal affairs, high-octane is the order of the day, with designers embracing the head-turning possibilities the dress has to offer. If it’s instant impact you’re after, seek out a single shade, like Galvan’s striking red ‘Pandora’ gown or Victoria Beckham’s asymmetric jewel-toned green midi. Elsewhere, Chloé’s offers the most romantic choice for weddings with this ruffled silk-chiffon gown in soft pink while Alessandra Rich’s floral-print ‘Envers’ midi dress – complete with a contrasting Chelsea collar and ruffled peplum – is perfect for garden parties. What’s more, they’re both exclusive to NET-A-PORTER this season.
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