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16 Essential Dress Trends That Shaped 2020 Fashion

No wardrobe is complete without a versatile dress—the ultimate glam, feminine staple that adapts effortlessly to any style, mood, or seasonal trend. As fashion experts who've tracked runway shows and street style for years, we've curated this definitive list of 16 dress trends that dominated 2020.

Top Dress Trends for Winter 2020

70s-Inspired Dresses: Length and Fluidity

The 70s vibe carried strong into 2020, with long, fluid dresses ruling catwalks, often cinched with a leather belt for edge. We adore the playful disco versions adorned with sequins—perfect for evening sparkle.

Dresses with Balloon Sleeves

Structured yet feminine silhouettes defined the season, and balloon sleeves elevated everything from a classic little black dress to bold statements. Opt for subtle minis for day or sequined one-shoulder styles for night.

via @Pinterest

Sweater Dresses

Great news for cozy lovers: sweater dresses remained a winter staple. Discover standout options at La Redoute, from oversized comfy fits to turtleneck "neo-bourgeois" designs—a key 2020 trend. Pair with thick tights, ankle boots, or dad sneakers.

Gypset Dresses

Blending 70s hippie and rock, gypset dresses offered bohemian Woodstock flair. Keep accessories minimal for maximum impact.

18th-Century Spirit Dresses

Channeling Madame de Pompadour, summer 2020 featured voluminous dresses with basque hips, gigot sleeves, trains, and lace—ideal for evening elegance.

Feathered Dresses

Light, fluffy feathers added grace in 2020. Choose feathered dresses in white or pastels, especially all-over looks or graphic print mixes. Pair with subtle accessories.

@Claudio Lavenia

Crochet Dresses

Grunge-meets-hippie crochet dresses were ubiquitous—style with low boots for a rock edge.

@Jonathan Simkhai

Babydoll-Style Dresses

Ruffles, pastels, straps, and bows made babydoll dresses perfect for summer or events like baptisms and weddings.

Key Colors, Patterns, and Materials for 2020

Beyond silhouettes, these hues, prints, and fabrics set the tone.

Leather

Leather dresses promised chic, elegant glamour with a provocative twist. Faux options work if high-quality—avoid anything cheap-looking.

@Victor VIRGILE

Animal Print

Leopard and zebra led; skip python or crocodile. Animal-print dresses were winter must-haves.

Checkered Print

Checks, tartan, houndstooth—all trended. Go glam-punk or neo-bourgeois.

Satin

Shiny, noble satin warmed winter with fluid midi or long styles over sweaters and tights.

Tropical Dresses

Jungle hues and motifs persisted; ditch flamingos for fresh appeal.

Denim

In 2020, denim dresses fueled total denim looks in preppy, elegant cuts.

Pleated

Dust off your pleated dresses—they stayed hot into summer 2020.

Dots

Polka dot dresses brought fresh, spring vibes for summer—white dots on black or red backgrounds nailed the trend.