Summer 2024 Trend Report

These summery trends are stylish, sophisticated, and spritzy. Even better, they’re all versatile and wearable, on the dance floor—and beyond.

Statement shoulders are the new name of the sartorial game. Designers from Schiaparelli to Chanel played with plucky proportions by emphasizing, exaggerating, or softening silhouettes to sculpt unexpected decolletages. For his latest couture collection, Alexis Mabille sent voluptuous gowns in understated shades of walnut, olive, and rose down the runway, each more romantic and simmering than the next. Through artistic ribbons, captivating cutouts, or delightfully asymmetrical cuts, each dress drew attention to the shoulders in a creative, gorgeous, light.

Off the runways, celebrities opted for boldness in shoulder-accenting looks. Actress Avantika, for example, donned a glittery coral Geyanna Youness evening gown with a turquoise butterfly effect highlighted by the off-center rose of fabric resting like a secret admirer on her right shoulder. Keeping with the floral theme, icon Cynthia Erivo radiated in a Balmain gown consisting of two parts; a citrus-printed skirt and a sleek black long sleeve top. Militaristic shoulder pads salted with shell-inspired hardware added an elegant edge.

For your dance dresses, look for ballroom dress rentals with creative approaches to the sleeves and necklines. Think whimsical off-the-shoulder designs or flirty fabric confections along the collarbone—in any color you love from navy to nectarine.

Thanks to designers like Fendi, the Roaring Twenties are back again, only this time given a sophisticated, upscale, minimalist touch. Party-worthy hues of gold, silver, and metallic rose meet festive fringe and tassels, quite literally from your head to your toe. Fendi’s disco confetti slippers and matching gowns and clutches really say it all.

On the red carpet, Naomi Campbell radiated in a cerulean interpretation of the flapper dress from Burberry in which cascades of velvety fringe dripped like icicles. And Dua Lipa stunned in a frothy Chanel gown with embroidered art deco motifs.

This trend translates beautifully into the world of dance dresses and is especially rich in Latin dresses. Twenties flapper-style textures twirl and twist fancifully, in all shades of the rainbow.

For our third and final trend, we have a summery, splurging take on the floral. Giambattista Valli’s luscious couture collection featured burgeoning gowns with tapestries of florals donned like vining capes—so beautiful you’ll want to turn them inside out and wallpaper your entire life in them. In one look, a cushiony satin robe with lagoon-hued carnations surrounds a glitzy black slip. In another, a tower of fiery red fabric appears to rise from large peony-shaped skirts. Each is romantic, unbelievable, and entirely, magically, natural.

For a master class in airy florals, see Zendaya’s flowy Erdem number, with golden ochre flowers painted on pleats and tulle. For a more sporty-meets-feminine take, Regina King’s sunshine-colored Louis Vuitton’s collared gown featured dancing flowers pasted over a summer berry shift. Ruffles drooped like petals added a whimsical touch.

On the dance floor, take this trend as an invitation to wear the largest floral embroidery or print you can find. For your dance floor needs, try statement gowns with complementary-hued florals or 3-dimensional petal appliqués.