If you ask us, summer is the season for summer dresses, and you can never have too many. Whether we’re digging through our best friends’ closets or copying our celebrity role models, we’re always on the hunt for our next favorite dress. And thanks to Olivia Rodrigo, we’ve found it. Once again cementing her status as a style icon for Gen Z, Rodrigo was spotted wearing one of the hottest trends for Summer 2024: a glamorous and adaptable milkmaid dress. Rodrigo showed off the style while jetting around Europe in June, complementing the quintessential summer vibe with beaded bracelets, dark sunglasses, and of course, an ice cream cone to beat the heat.
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Why is the style so popular? Fitting neatly into vintage aesthetics like the cottagecore and regencycore trends, milkmaid dresses are made with lovely details and a universally flattering fit. Silhouettes typically feature scoop necklines, cinched busts and ruched or corseted bodices that flow into floaty A-line skirts. Midi-length hems, puffy sleeves and pastel or floral patterns are also common, but as the “Driver’s License” singer proves, they’re not required. Voluminous sleeves and pretty fabrics aside, Rodrigo opted for a chic spaghetti-strap milkmaid design in all-black.
This range of styles makes it easy to incorporate the Milkmaid trend into your Summer 2024 wardrobe. Whether you choose a classic Milkmaid dress, take inspiration from Rodrigo’s modern twist on the style, or explore other variations, this summer staple can be tailored to almost any mood.
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A classic milkmaid dress gives off Bridgerton vibes
If you’re trying out the milkmaid trend for the first time, you can’t go wrong with a classic style. After all, it’s classic for a reason. A typical milkmaid dress checks all the boxes: puffed sleeves, a gathered bust, a midi length, and an ethereal pattern like ditsy florals or gingham. Colour-wise, think soft hues of the Regency era, from cornflower blue and butter yellow to sage green and mauve. The overall style should exude an airy femininity that’s perfect for picnics and garden strolls throughout spring and summer.
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Vibrant floral prints breathe new life into milkmaid dresses
Want to change your aesthetic from dreamy to eye-catching? If a muted color scheme isn’t your thing, consider complementing your sweet milkmaid dress with a slightly bolder pattern. A bright, vibrant floral print, for example, will add a little extra sass and personality to the overall look while still maintaining the upbeat feel of the dress. Choosing a vibrant pattern also creates the perfect opportunity to pair your milkmaid dress with bold makeup, such as a red lip, for a timeless and flattering look.
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Dark patterns add a moody, romantic vibe to the milkmaid trend.
Take note, gloomy babes. Milkmaid dresses are also great in rich, moody hues. While the typical milkmaid dress evokes Jane Austen novels, the brooding romanticism of a dark milkmaid dress channels grand epics like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Basically, stories about standing sad-faced on a windy moor. Deep hues like plum and navy exude this yearning vibe, as do patterns set against a black background. Pro tip: Milkmaid dresses in dark hues are a great transitional piece for late summer and fall.
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Short and sexy milkmaid dresses will be all the rage in 2024
While the traditional milkmaid dress is popular for its midi-length hem, fashion rules are meant to be broken. The milkmaid mini dress is a fresh and flattering option for anyone who doesn’t want to look like they’ve stepped out of a period drama. Combining the classic feel of the milkmaid bodice with the modern, leg-baring cut of the mini dress creates a style that’s healthy, playful, and perfect for summer adventures. Dress it up with strappy heels or keep it casual with your favorite minimalist sneakers.
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A sleeveless milkmaid dress perfect for summer
Everyone needs puff sleeves. Olivia Rodrigo didn’t, and neither do you. To make your milkmaid dress look light and easy, consider designs with subtle straps or a halter neck. The absence of sleeves de-emphasizes the shoulders, making it look less structured and more natural. Plus, it’s a little less formal. The person wearing this type of dress isn’t sitting quietly in an upper-class drawing room; they’re running barefoot across the lawn and eating berries straight from the bush all summer.
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Milkmaid dresses can be styled to look sexy or cute.
Whatever style you choose for your Milkmaid Dress, one of its greatest features is its versatility. The inherent femininity of the design can be sweetened with hair ribbons and coquette makeup to give off an air of innocent purity, or paired with sex appeal and loose, flowing hair for a more sensual feel. This versatility makes the Milkmaid Dress a summer staple that can be worn for any occasion, day or night, from a laid-back Sunday brunch to evening cocktails at a beachfront resort.
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