Spring dresses: the trends to wear right now

As we come ever-closer to warmer (!!!) weather, it’s time to start plotting your bare-leg, bare-arm attack on the world, and what better way to do it than with a smart and sophisticated dress? Prints are given a retro upgrade for 2018 and the confident dresser will appreciate the shift from safe, geometric patterns to wild and dismantled motifs that erupt with colour and noise. Think animal prints in vibrant shades – like Ashley Williams and Versace, below – and grown-up polka dots from Asos. The classic Breton stripe is given a sophisticated and mature reboot for 2018, as seen at DVF. Expect to see asymmetric displays of colour, unapologetic and non-traditional hemlines, and, contrasting with that, sharp tailoring. One thing is clear: you need a chic dress this spring, and our trend guide below will help you to fortify your perfect spring/summer 2018 dress arsenal.

Asymmetrical hemlines as seen at Delpozo

Delpozo SS18

Short-sleeve overlay square hem dress, €734.43 at dvf.com

Mixed pansy ruffle slip dress, €76 at topshop.com

Polka dot asymmetric dress, €38.71 at asos.com

Blocked asymmetrical midi dress, €50.95 at na-kd.com

Asymmetric dress, €27.99 at hm.com

Mini dresses and long legs at Versace

Versace SS18 catwalk

Sequinned dress, €150 at uterque.com

Suede mini dress by Balmain, €1,562 at theoutnet.com

All-over lace mini dress with sheer details, €384.94 at sandro.com

Federica frill V-neck dress, €169 at whistles.com

Bijou mini dress, €219 at ganni.com

The revival of the shirt dresses at Oscar De La Renta

Oscar de la Renta SS18 catwalk

J by Jasper Conran green broken spot cotton shirt dress, €92 at debenhams.ie

Tencel shirt dress, €48 at next.ie

Printed shirt dress by DVF, €231 at farfetch.com

Animal print at Ashley Williams