7 Anti-Dress Trends That Fashion Insiders Are Wearing in 2024

Ask anyone for their go-to outfit during a hot summer, and I’d be willing to bet that the most popular answer is “a white midi or maxi dress”, and don’t we all have at least one in our wardrobe? There’s nothing wrong with the classics of course, and I would never advocate throwing away a perfectly good piece of clothing, but the same dress that had me so excited when I first bought it is now starting to feel a bit “samey”, and I’ve been busily searching for an alternative. In my role as resident fashion editor at Who What Wear, I pay close attention to a lot of street style for out new outfit inspiration, and this year I noticed one trend in particular—fashion people have stopped relying on summer dresses.

Controversial, I know, but gone are the days when you couldn’t move for floral maxis—from London to Lisbon, social media’s best dressed are packing separates in their suitcases. And please, don’t shoot the messenger.

I could talk about my love for dresses for hours on end, but with this new found realisation, I’ve decided to talk about the seven summer fashion trends that have replaced them instead. Some are old favourites (linen is a wardrobe staple for a reason), others are brand new for 2024 (there’s one 90s throwback that no-one saw coming), but from trousers to skirts (and a healthy selection of shorts), these are the pieces you’ll spot the most now you to know what to look out for.