It’s officially dress season – and I couldn’t be more excited for it! There are so many reasons to wear a dress during the warmer months – it’s the best time to travel, host events and so much more. I usually never wait for the right opportunity to shop for dresses. Instead, I stock up at the beginning of the season and trust that there will be a time and place to wear them. I’ve already covered occasion dresses many times on the blog, so today, I wanted to highlight my favorite casual dress trends. I’m talking easy silhouettes that you can spruce up with heels for the weekend – or pair with sneakers for a stroll around the city. I always find the best casual dresses at Nordstrom. I snagged a few for my Santa Barbara trip and knew instantly that I needed to recap my finds for you guys. So, scroll below for the dress trends that will soon be everywhere.

1. Ribbed Knit Dresses

Ribbed knit dresses have to be the most versatile style of all time. Nordstrom has a myriad of options in this category from simple tanks to bold-colored dresses. I wasn’t sure what the weather would be like as I was traveling, so I opted for this minidress with long sleeves. I love that it feels forward with the layered neckline but simple enough to wear out during the day.

2. Cutout Dresses

Cutout dresses have been trending long enough to be considered essentials now. I’m a fan because I love that they offer a modest way to show off some skin without being too revealing. Unlike shoulder slits and bare backs that we’ve seen in the past, this season is all about waist cutouts. If you’ve been hesitant about their wearability, now is the time to experiment and Nordstrom has tons of cute styles!

3. Halter Dresses

With the return of Y2K fashion, the halter is the most covetable neckline to seek out. I’m seeing them across everything from going-out tops to swimwear. However, a halter dress is probably my favorite for everyday wear. Just style it with gladiator sandals and a denim jacket for an on-the-go ensemble.

4. Ruched Dresses

I’ve also been obsessed with ruched dresses. From a style perspective, they feel as easy on the body as a t-shirt yet fancy with the pleated effect. The fact that this style is flattering on all body types makes it a summer must-have.

5. Strapless Dresses

I can’t remember the last time I wore a strapless dress, but they’re suddenly cool again and I’m here for them. I personally have my eyes on mini-length tube dresses, which would look so sleek with dark sunglasses and slide sandals (like these) Because they’re so simple, you can get as creative as you’d like with the styling.

xo, Maria

Outfit Details

4SI3NNA Long Sleeve Minidress
Open Edit Blazer
Vince Camuto Braided Heels
Saint Laurent Crochet Tote
Similar Bottega Veneta Aviator Sunglasses

This post is sponsored by Nordstrom.

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