10 Outdated Dress Trends to Retire in 2023 and 10 to Wear Instead

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Coperni; Carolina Herrera/Imaxtree; Ulla Johnson/Imaxtree)

When it comes to my list of 2023 purchases, a chic dress ranks high. While pants and trousers have certainly been in the limelight this past year (read: cargo pants, tailored trousers, baggy jeans, etc.), dresses remain an integral part of our year-round wardrobes. They're reliable for work and the weekend, and they're always there to see us through a myriad of occasions. 

Luckily, there are plenty of fresh styles to get excited about ahead of the upcoming spring season. To dive in further, I've scoured the spring/summer 2023 runways to bring you an overview of the most noteworthy dresses to invest in this year as well as what dress styles I'll be retiring (for now). From the freshest take on floral dresses to sheer fabrics and asymmetric silhouettes, read on to see what's in (and out) for dresses this spring.

Skip: Shirred Fabrics

Wear: Sheer Fabrics

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(Image credit: Prada/Imaxtree; Getty Images)

Fresh, fun, and feminine—sheer dresses were perhaps one of the biggest trends on the spring/summer 2023 runways with designers from Prada to Tory Burch showcasing transparent frocks in a myriad of pretty ways. 

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Skip: Ditsy Floral Prints

Wear: 3D Florals

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(Image credit: Carolina Herrera/Imaxtree; @ninasandbech)

Florals for spring take on a whole new meaning this year. Skip the ditsy prints in favor of bold and beautiful flower appliqués (or what we like to call the rosette trend). We've already seen influencers and celebrities embrace these stylish corsages that are set to continue their dominance into the new season. 

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Skip: Wrap Dresses

Wear: Draped Dresses

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Coperni; @christietyler)

It's all about dressing like a goddess this spring thanks to designers such as Saint Laurent and Ferragamo gracing the runways with cascading dresses of liquid jersey, sheer organza, and chiffon—serving us fresh and romantic silhouettes to wear at our next special occasion.

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Skip: Baby-Doll Silhouettes

Wear: Strapless Silhouettes

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Prada; @jordanrisa)

The '90s aesthetic continues its dominance into spring, with strapless tube dresses, in particular, reigning supreme. This season's iterations come in everything from classic black maxi hemlines to icy pastel hues and silhouettes cut looser from the body. 

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Skip: Neon

Wear: Shine & Shimmer

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(Image credit: Courtesy of 16Arlington; @greceghanem)

Sparkles for spring? Yes indeed. Designers presented glitz and glam in everyday dressing—from pastel-hued sequins to liquid silver metallics, crystals, and lamé fabrics—proving that life's too short not to wear sequins year-round.

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Skip: Gingham

Wear: Crochet 

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(Image credit: Ulla Johnson/Imaxtree; Getty Images)

Crochet was practically everywhere on the runways in the full gamut of colors, from natural hues to yellow and gold. We saw plenty of fresh takes on the trend that we're bound to see in stylish beach looks come summer.

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Skip: Tiered Hems

Wear: Bubble Hems

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(Image credit: Ulla Johnson/Imaxtree; @endlesslyloveclub)

If you're looking for a dress trend that feels completely unique, look no further than the bubble-hem offerings from designers such as Ulla Johnson and JW Anderson, who brought us playful and modern iterations of a style that's long been regarded as outdated. 

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Skip: Corduroy

Wear: Denim

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(Image credit: Blumarine/Imaxtree; Getty Images)

Yes, denim dresses are back in 2023. Perhaps one of the easiest and most wearable trends you'll try this spring/summer, this year's iterations come in a delightful array of washes and varying lengths—with many softer denim fabrics coming into play.

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Skip: Orange

Wear: Black

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Nensi Dojaka; @champagnemani)

Perhaps the most dominant and versatile color on the runways was black—spotted on no less than 4000 looks. There's a style for everyone this season, from cutout maxis to simple slips.

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Skip: Cowl Necks

Wear: Asymmetric Necklines (& Hemlines)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Coperni; Getty Images)

Asymmetry was pervasive on the spring/summer 2023 runways. One-shoulder necklines, sleeves, and angular hemlines were seen in full force, leaning into the trending Y2K aesthetic.

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Up next, 8 Denim Trends Fashion People Will Wear in 2023 That Aren't Jeans

Judith Jones
Senior Fashion Market Editor

Judith Jones is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear who specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.