Every Major Dress Trend That Will Define Fall 2024

After examining some of the larger themes of the fall/winter 2024 runways, the collections indicated that fashion in the second half of the year is shifting in some notable ways. Swanlike, sophisticated elegance was one of the largest departures from previous seasons. Leather was buttery soft and draped in a range of applications. New silhouettes and colors emerged, as did textures and textiles that will impact what the fashion set will wear in the coming months.

We can see this influence in the dress trends that are winning out for fall. “Ladies who lunch” dresses, designed with glamour and elegance, feel practically like they’ve been plucked from another era. A range of olive-green dresses makes the case for the color trend we’re predicting will be huge. The heavy, tactile embellishments seen across the runways are the design focus for some of the most noteworthy dress designs from the runways. Ahead, a closer look at the biggest fall dress trends to know for 2024, and the pieces to shop.

In 2024, we have seen the undeniable rise and rise of elegance and sophistication in fashion. While it’s a trend we reported on early in the year, the momentum is only increasing. On the fall/winter 2024 runways, Prada showcased white midi dresses adorned with bows and fur stoles. At Miu Miu, there were portrait-neckline dresses paired with elbow-length gloves. At Sandy Liang, shorter hemlines with similar silhouettes were finished in fabrics like tweed. These are “ladies who lunch” dresses reimagined for 2024.

Red and burgundy were the defining color trends for the first half of 2024. As we enter the second half of the year, there is one key color trend to know that we predict will be everywhere: olive green. Rather than one specific tone, however, we are seeing a range of shades in the spectrum of olive green from light and bright to deep and complex. This was certainly the case with the dresses spotted by designers including Emilia Wickstead, Fendi, and more.

Details like fringe and feathers are a permanent part of the fashion conversation, but what stood out for fall was how these embellishments were executed. On the runway at brands such as Bottega Veneta and Tory Burch, they took on dramatic, tactile forms that made the embellishments the focus of the garments. When it comes to dresses, look for showstopping pieces that are in direct opposition to the pared-back minimal pieces that have dominated in past seasons.

For many seasons now, we have seen designers playing around with degrees of sheerness in their garments. This continued for fall 2024, where there were varying levels of sheer on the runways. On the more conservative side of the spectrum, semi-sheer dresses at Ferragamo were used as layering pieces beneath outerwear. A step above that in terms of riskiness was the sheer, ruffled dresses at Chloé. And at Saint Laurent, completely sheer, see-through dresses in varying shades were shown.

Beautiful, buttery leather was all over the fall/winter 2024 runway. The leather was central to many of the standout jackets and coats, but also dresses. The leather took on almost liquid form in its draping from brands including Gabriela Hearst, Tod’s, and Proenza Schouler. After years of tough, aged, worn-in leather, this take on leather is softer and more fluid.