True story: This dress trend is stalking me. I first noticed it pop up all the way back in 2018 when just a few cult brands like Ganni and Dôen were designing it, but then as more and more brands got in on the look, I started seeing versions land in my inbox, plant themselves in my Instagram feed, and appear on my most stylish friends to the point where I can no longer ignore it: Shirred dresses are the trend that just won’t quit. Trust me—once you start noticing this smocking detail, you’ll also start seeing it everywhere you look.
The stretchy fabric makes any dress (and therefore any outfit you wear with it) immediately more summery, so it makes sense why the trend tends to come back around at the first sight of warm weather. So even though it’s not necessarily new for 2021, shirred dresses still feel like a current option and a surprisingly comfortable one at that. This summer, smocking has returned in ways that feel even better than it ever has, from pretty floral-print dresses to charming bow-tie straps and all the puffy sleeves a fashion girl’s heart could desire. Simply keep scrolling to shop the very best ones and get inspired by how cool girls wear them.
Next up, six trendy prints everyone is wearing instead of leopard this year.