Not Baby-Doll and Not Prairie: 4 Spring 2026 Dress Trends That Actually Feel Cool and Fresh
You may have heard that New Yorkers have been experiencing a particularly cold winter, with freezing temperatures, historic blizzards, and back-to-back snowfall. The only upside to this is that what was considered a colder day last year actually feels quite warm in retrospect. As soon as the temperature hits fifty degrees, stylish New Yorkers are shedding their layers and throwing on their best spring dresses. It's a great way to get a sneak peek at what everyone will be wearing when fool's spring is over, and real spring arrives. It's almost like we're all getting a trend test run.
Below are four dress trends I've already spotted New Yorkers wearing as they embrace the warmth and season that's to come.
Pleated Dresses
Pleated skirts are my personal kryptonite, as I practically collect them. The style has been particularly popular in recent years with the rise of coquette. But now it seems like the girls are into pleated dresses that resemble a schoolgirl uniform. Because there's a bit of a scholarly formality to the look, it's particularly fun to style. Wearing them over jeans feels like the cool girl's go-to. It feels rebellious and quirky, like something you'd throw on as a teen to feel badass. Thankfully, the look still holds up.
Drop-Waist Dresses
Dresses with a drop waist are by far the most popular silhouette right now. I feel like I see them everywhere I turn. But there's a reason the dress style originated in the 1920s and is still popular now. The look actually represented freedom for women who were able to move around in them with fewer restrictions. It's funny to consider that the style is coming about now, after a long trend cycle of corset obsession.
Tiered Dresses
It felt like no one could bring back boho chic, but then came Chemena Kamali of Chloé. Now, people everywhere are opting for tiered dresses with lace, loose ruffles, and tons of dreamy fabric. Seeing people wear these dresses makes me realize how much I've been missing out by not wearing them every spring. They're ethereal and feel like a physical representation of how spring actually feels.
Fringe Dresses
When boho starts to trend, fringe is not far behind. Fringe has been resurrected, and thank God. It's the kind of detail that adds so much dimension and movement to a look. Who doesn't like to wear fringe on their body and toss their arms or legs like one would their hair? It creates drama, and it's exactly what fashion needs right now. Clothing that makes a scene.
