The new season has officially arrived in my house. It doesn’t take much—just a few hopeful blossoms and a slightly warmer forecast—and I start shedding layers and pulling out all my spring (and yes, even summer) pieces, namely dresses. If you’re a regular around here, you might already know that I have an affinity for dresses and so I pay particularly close attention to dress trends throughout the year.
In fact, for summer 2025, I have already identified a frontrunner. After searching through Instagram’s best-dressed, I noticed one style cropping up again and again, particularly on influencers based in London, and holidaying in Majorca or the South of France: the drop waist dress.
The drop waist look is all about that lower waistline, and it comes in all kinds of styles—from comfy elastic waists to more structured silhouettes, and everything from casual daytime options to more dressed-up picks. Personally, I’m loving the maxi versions. I know some petite folks tend to avoid longer hemlines, but I say go for it—I always feel super confident in them. You might too!
Continue reading to shop the best drop waist dresses for summer 2025. The chances are, it’ll become your new favourite dress style. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Shop the Best Drop Waist Dresses for Summer:
KITRI
Reese Pink Cotton Linen Dress
Be one of the first to don this candy coloured dress, courtesy of Kitri. It’s the definition of dopamine dressing.
MANGO
Pleated Knitted Dress
As we transition into spring, opt for uplifting hues of this ilk.
The pleated woody brown skirt paired with the black tank top is inspired. This e-commerce imagery also serves as inspiration, demonstrating that you can also wear this elegant style with flats day-to-day.
Ninety Percent
Priam Draped Dress in Bracken
This exact Grecian-inspired midi dress is a core piece in my spring wardrobe.
Gingham is also having a moment right now!
Free People
Onda Drop-Waist Tube Midi
I just love this baby blue style, which would be perfect for any upcoming holidays.
Cotton Rich Bandeau Midi Drop Waist Dress
Another bandeau iteration that gets my approval!
Next
Sleeveless Drop Waist 100% Cotton Dress
This could honestly be designer.
Nobodys Child
Black Drop Waist Claudia Midi Dress
A classic style that will work for the office, dinners and weekend plans.
By Malene Birger
Marciella Maxi Dress
This By Malene Birger Marciella dress is the latest addition to my spring wardrobe. It comprises a free-flowing, floor-length skirt in a stretched jersey fabric.
TOVE
Lauryn Gathered Cotton-Blend Poplin Midi Dress
This Tove dress is just beautiful.
MATTEAU
Strapless Ruched Organic Cotton-Poplin Maxi Dress
I love this incredibly chic gunmetal blue hue.
Staud
Yamila Gathered Maxi Dress
Along with bandeau necklines, you’ll also notice drop waists are often paired with tank-stylet tops.
Massimo Dutti
Long Flounce Dress With Gathered Detail
This has gone straight to the top of my wish list.
Convertibility elements never fail to impressive me. You can wear Viveh’s Petunia as a skirt or dress.
COS
Dropped-Waist Jersey Maxi Dress
On the hunt for elevated day dresses? Look no further than this drop waist maxi. Just add jewels and you’re set.
ESSE STUDIOS
Dasha Duo Asymmetric Cutout Stretch-Knit and Gauze Maxi Dress
I gasped at the sight of this style. Between the stark contrast in colourways to the asymmetric top, it’s stunning!
St Agni
Bateau Cut Out Dress
A refined shape that’s perfect for daytime, awash with a sultry berry hue.
TOVE
Devi Draped Gathered Jersey Maxi Dress
You know it’s a timeless trend when Tove hops on board.
STAUD
Rocco Gathered Stretch-Cotton Poplin Mini Shirt Dress
This may be a tad premature but this is a little Wimbledon inspired, don’t you think?
GANNI
Tie-Detailed Smocked Habotai Midi Dress
Trust Ganni to introduce a cool, directional style into the mix. With the hanky hem, shirred waist detail and keyhole bust, many details are setting this style apart.
Nobodys Child
Red Vera Midi Dress
I love a red dress in summer.
Despite being in its infancy, Selvi’s first collection has some standout apparel. The Dylan Dress is my favourite from the capsule.
I own this exact dress and can attest to its wonderful shape. It’s perfectly exaggerated, though not too pronounced for wearing during the day. I’m particularly excited to wear it this spring.
While most drop waist dresses boast a squared waist design, the maven dress features an inverted v shape that travels further down the waist with soft pleats hipside.
DÔEN
Enya Two-Tone Ruched Organic Cotton-Poplin Midi Dress
Each spring and summer, Californian brand Doên release a capsule of spring dresses. Concieved with the illusion of two separates, the Enya dress comprises elements of cottagecore Doên’s best known for with modern flair due to the crisp poplin fabrication.
The perfect “throw on” spring dress. Especially, in this chic forest green hue.
Ghospell
Maryam Midi Dress
Ghospell is best known for voluminous frocks, so it comes as no surprise that they’ve excelled with the drop waist dress trend.