5 Autumn Dress Trends You're About To See Everywhere

While we're nowhere near ready to strap on chunky winter boots, we do find ourselves easing in to cosy knits and re-embracing our denim these days. But before summer slips away completely and we start curating our autumn wardrobes, we are focusing on one transition piece that's always appropriate: dresses.

Dresses are a wardrobe essential we can consistently count on. After all, almost any summer dress can make the switch to autumn with the quick help of a layer or two. So while you might need to hit the breaks on recalibrating your entire wardrobe for autumn, we see no reason why you can't get a head start in the dress department.

Ahead, check out the five dress trends we're betting big on this autumn. Don't let this time of seasonal purgatory stop you from building up one hell of a collection.

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Patterned Prairie Dresses

The summer of 2018 has been the summer of the white prairie dress. Naturally, we're not ready to give up our favourite 18th century frock just because August is coming to a close. Available in dozens of new prints and styles, autumn's version of the prairie dress is just as good as summer's, if not better.

**Zara** Frilly Dress, £29.99, available at Zara
Photo Courtest of Zara

**Batsheva** Ruffle-Trimmed Cotton Dress, £323, available at Matches Fashion
Photo Courtesy of Matches Fashion

**Ganni** Charron Wrap Dress, £220, available at Ganni
Photo Courtesy of Ganni

Neon Satin Dresses

While we're used to autumn's arrival delivering a slew of earth tones and heavy fabrics, this season's unusually high temperatures have us holding onto refreshingly bright shades and lightweight textures. In case it cools down one of these days, you can always throw on a light jacket or a knit to make these satin-y dresses more weather-ready.

**Saks Potts** Poppy Celery Dress, £522.22, available at Need Supply Co.
Photo Courtesy of Need Supply

**Topshop** Balloon Sleeve Dress By Boutique, £69, available at Topshop

**Mango** Satin Gown, £69.99, available at Mango
Photo Courtesy of Mango

Leopard Print Dresses

It all started with that Réalisation Par midi skirt. You know the one: It sold out numerous times, and scrolling through Instagram without spotting one became a rare feat. Since it made its way into the spotlight, our favourite animal print has taken all forms — and honestly, we can't get enough.

**& Other Stories** Leopard Print Dress, £59, available at & Other Stories
Photo Courtesy of & Other Stories

**P.A.R.O.S.H.** Leopard Print Wrap Dress, £780, available at Farfetch
Photo Courtesy of Farfetch

**Warehouse** Leopard Print Mesh Dress, £49, available at Warehouse

Balloon-Sleeve Dresses

We've always loved a balloon-sleeve, but ever since Copenhagen Fashion Week, we simply can't get enough of this bold silhouette. No matter the colour, print, or cut, an exaggerated balloon-sleeve is guaranteed to make a statement.

**Rhode Resort** Delilah Balloon-Sleeved Silk Dress, £345, available at Matches Fashion

**H&M** Silk-Blend Dress, £40.00, available at H&M

**Cecilie Bahnsen** Susannah Fil-Coupé Organza Dress, £1,582, available at Matches Fashion
Photo Courtesy of Matches Fashion

Nightgowns

We're convinced that sleepwear will gain as much of a cult status as athleisure. Loose-fitted, feminine nightgowns inspired by your nan have been updated to an effortless, yet elegant day look.