Shirred dresses are the timeless summer style you need to know this season
Laura Harrier wore a shirred dress in Milan last week: a plain black number with spaghetti straps and a shirred bustier paired with baby blue ballet flats and an embellished handbag. Clearly, there are a few SS24 trends she nailed with said get-up (the return of the Mary Jane has been cosigned by Katie Holmes, too) – but shirred dresses are the subject of today's ramblings.
Undoubtedly a style that has graced your wardrobe before, shirred dresses bounce back routinely – once every few summer seasons – for good reason. Timeless, flattering and feminine, they're practically immune to speedy trend cycles and work just as well for a summer in the city as they do poolside.
This season's current shirred dress resurgence comes not only with thanks to it-girl Laura Harrier, but the Copenhagen Fashion Week street style scene as well as Kylie Jenner's Instagram and cult brands like GANNI and Dôen.
Shirred dresses belong in a seldom occupied space within the fashion world – one that's accessible to all body shapes and boob sizes. They come in a range of fabrics and prints (gingham-shirred dresses are big news right now), often also nodding to other micro-trends that have made their way into the wardrobes of the fashion set. Think: coquette bows, tie-front bodices and romantic ruffles. Happily, Cecilie Bahnsen took the classic shirred dress one step further in their SS24 collection, blending the style's unique sewing technique with modern silhouettes and bouncy, ruffling.
Whether you adore this modern approach or prefer a more classic cut (perhaps with a simple shirred bust, spaghetti straps, and flowing skirt?), this season's offerings have you covered. From GANNI to Damson Madder and even ASOS, high-street and luxury brands alike are brimming with options. We particularly adore the Rhode Letting Dress and its asymmetrical cut for summer weddings.
As for colours? Shirred dresses come in any colour or pattern you can think of, from pretty pastels and leopard prints to vintage sweet-inspired stripes. Following on from its 2023 A/W boom (thanks, Stella McCartney, The Row and Prada), red is a firm GLAMOUR favourite, with COS' new-in shirred midi dress a must-buy. Elsewhere, crisp whites – as per Vivienne Westwood and Acne Studios – will never go out of style.
Effortlessly style your dress with nothing but a pair of trainers, or opt for copious amounts of jewellery, statement socks and heels instead. There are no rules when it comes to shirred dresses, since they can be dressed up or down for all occasions. Casual picnics and fancy weddings included.
Before we get into the shopping, it's also worth mentioning that planet-conscious girlies who like to have a more curated, capsule wardrobe (rather than indulging in fast fashion and overconsumption) should be pleased. You can style your shirred dress up in the winter, too. Pair with chunky boots and layered atop a white t-shirt for extra style points come the chillier weather.
