When it comes to the status of the dress in the women’s wardrobe, nothing will change fundamentally in 2026. The dress will continue to be the most feminine piece in our closets, and the only thing shaping its look will be fashion trends which, judging by the spring runways, are quite diverse. What is already clear is that trendy dresses will not be shy when it comes to textures: long fringes and playful ruffles will bounce in rhythm with each step, while capes and asymmetrical fabric elements will flutter as we walk. For those who prefer classics, we will not be giving up floral motifs this spring either, sensuality will be sought in cuts that bare our shoulders, and the waistline will drop slightly, redefining the silhouette.
#1 Cape dresses
The cape will definitely be one of the main leitmotifs of 2026. This glamorous detail will adorn coats as well as dresses, elegantly flowing as you walk. In its vision of spring, Balenciaga placed it to the side, baring one shoulder, Celine detached it from the dress and tied it in a knot, while Boss kept it understated, using it to cover the chest and “extend” the sleeves.
#2 Asymmetrical cuts
Dresses with asymmetrical cuts dominated the spring 2026 runways. Fashion house Chloé presented a series of dresses with floral patterns that play intriguingly with length, Loewe offered its version of the black dress enriched with bold colors, and Valentino embraced a similar approach.
#3 Ruffled dresses
Lavish ruffles will once again rule trends in the coming spring, readily taking us back to romance and dreamy dresses that bounce as you walk. Giambattista Valli offered his version in a soft pink shade made from a transparent material, Chloé sent a boho off-the-shoulder model down the runway, while McQueen presented an interesting asymmetrical model in white.
#4 Fringe dresses
Playful fringes and tassels of varying lengths, made from a whole palette of materials, will adorn accessories and clothing next spring. This is a detail you cannot go wrong with in the coming year, and the visions of fashion houses for spring 2026 show that they will sometimes form entire dresses rather than serve as mere hem details. Christian Siriano and Bottega Veneta shaped entire dresses out of fringe, while McQueen embellished its silver model with fringe, pairing the dress with a handbag.
#5 Floral patterns
Yes, we know there is nothing groundbreaking about pairing spring with flowers, but despite that, fashion houses were unwilling to give up this classic in 2026 either. Floral motifs adorn dresses in different ways: Celine chose a retro floral pattern for one of its mini dresses, Ganni opted for motifs that look as if they were painted, while Fendi wove flowers into a texture reminiscent of lace.
#6 Drop-waist dresses
After cuts that emphasize the waist dominated trends for a long time, the 2026 runways decided to redefine the silhouette. The “waist” has been moved lower, to the hips or even the thighs, creating a form we are not used to seeing in dresses. JW Anderson, Balenciaga, and Simone Rocha are just some of the major fashion names that chose to steer the look of the dress in a completely different direction.
#7 Off-the-Shoulder dresses
Bare shoulders will dominate trends in 2026. Major fashion houses such as Bottega Veneta, Valentino, and Versace showcased off-the-shoulder dress designs on the runway, bringing a touch of seduction to the women’s wardrobe. The silhouettes are not too short, with trendy dresses falling to the knee or mid-calf.
