Summer Dress Trends

We are all readying to update our wardrobe for summer, but in doing so, what are the must-have looks? We consulted fashion expert Kim McGowen of MarkdownAlert.com, who had some great leads for us.

The maxi dress
The maxi-dress is still a big trend in 2009. This spring/summer it is paired with hottest colors and floral prints of the season. The floaty skirt below a bodice of spaghetti straps, tank-style top or a strapless bodice ensures almost any shape women can join in the maxi trend. The only note of caution we have is to avoid maxi-dresses with repeating patterns like small florals. A floor length dress has yards and yards of material and a busy pattern can easily overwhelm. It’s always better to be seen wearing the dress rather than it wearing you. The best bet for your readers is to buy a maxi in solid summer brights like like pink, green or yellow. The monotone color from head to toe makes the wearer look taller and more slender. Another option is an ombre print.

Shown: Betsey Johnson’s Ombre Satin Faced Habotai Long dress for $395.00

Mini Dress in bold florals
Rather than wear bold floral and geometric prints on a maxi dress where it’s just too much look for one person to take on, opt for this season’s bold floral patterns on a mini dress. This summer the mini-dress has a couple of different silhouettes that compliment, rather than compete, with an eye-catching pattern. We like the tunic mini-dress and the full-skirted mini paired with bright floral patterns the best. These dresses combined with strappy or gladiator heels and simple jewelry, like a bangle bracelet, can be worn day or night all summer long.

Shown: Orange Print Dresses from Laundry by Shelli Segal for $245.00

Little Black Dress
This season the little black dress is taking on a new shape. Designers added pintucking and inverted pleats to the little black dress to create bell or tulip shape skirts. The modern silhouette often doesn?t require much accessorizing at all since the dress?s sculptural look is complete on its own. Simple paired with a splash of metallic in the form of a purse or high heels creates a great evening look.
Shown: 7 For All Mankind Black Strapless Mini Dress, $198.00

Color Blocking
What’s not to love about a dress that looks like your wearing separates? By defining the top, middle and bottom of the dress by color, the style actually helps create proportional hourglass figure, even if you don?t have one. Overall, the color block dress will define a waist and emphasize curves and while the style has many incarnations, we recommend light color tops over dark colored skirts with third color band at the waist. This combination is the most flattering for most women.

Shown: COLOR-BLOCKED COTTON DRESS by BCBGMAXAZRIA for $178.00

Shirt dress
This summer the shirt dress is back in vogue.

Perfect for daytime or even for work, the casual style is updated with ruffles, bold colors and pleating. Pair you shirt dress with a tie belt or update the look with a belt in this season?s bold, bright summer colors like yellow, turquoise and pink.
Shown: Lauren by Ralph Lauren Stretch Cotton Shirtdress for $144.00

Images: Nordstrom, BCBG, ShopBop, eDressMe, Betsey Johnson