The '90s Dress Trend Making A Comeback In Summer 2025
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
From the most iconic hairstyles from the 1990s to the must-have basic pieces to pull off a '90s look, the decade of minimalism is the gift that keeps giving in the 2020s. What's the latest '90s dress trend that's making a strong comeback for summer 2025? The strapless draped maxi dress, which looked fabulous back in the day on celebs like Salma Hayek, Keri Russell, and Debra Messing, looks equally stunning in modern iterations seen on style stars including Dakota Johnson, Julianne Moore, and Amal Clooney.
We asked expert Ira Lysa, a New Jersey-based fashion designer, tailor, and CEO of Imperial Alterations, who has more than 15 years of creating elegant, body-flattering silhouettes, to share why draped maxi dresses are so trendy right now. She exclusively tells us that it's all about the look's simplicity and flattery. "You slip it on in seconds and look ready to step outside," Lysa tells Glam. "Soft, loose folds hug the body without really trying, while the strapless cut gives the collarbone its five minutes of fame –- the very part designers are celebrating in 2025." You heard it here first: Fashion is easy and oh-so breezy this summer. Now, you just need to know how to style your draped dress.
How to wear a draped maxi dress like a pro in summer 2025
While Julianne Moore opted for a black draped maxi dress, it's also appropriate to dabble in the season's hottest color trends, including primary colors, earth tones, and pretty pastels. And if you want to make your dress trendy for the rest of the year, reach for one in one of fall 2025's biggest color trends, like butter yellow or pistachio green. You'll be head of the curve and look so stunning.
When it comes to styling the look, pro Ira Lysa has recommendations for both day and night: "My go-to evening combo is smooth, slicked-back hair, a pair of chunky, sculptural earrings, and low kitten-heel mules." However, for daytime, Lysa exclusively tells Glam, "When the sun is still up, a cropped linen blazer and thin-strapped flats keep the outfit feeling fresh, modern, and just a tiny bit cheeky."
What's the ideal piece, you ask? "If I want that instant '90s vibe, I reach for one of Norma Kamali's strapless ruched numbers," says Lysa. "They slip on in a heartbeat and look flattering from 11 in the morning until last call." Bonus: The Norma Kamali Women's Strapless Diana Dress comes in seven on-trend shades, so there's one for every occasion.