For the past four months, this summer's fashion trends have occupied the majority of my mental real estate. I take a walk and don't take in the sights because I'm too busy thinking about the rise of toe ring sandals and the Bermuda shorts boom. I fall asleep imagining my take on the elegant scarf belts that Jennifer Lawrence and It Girls around the world are wearing. All that to say, I'm well trained in the art of trend spotting, and when I scrolled through the discounted summer dresses in Nordstrom's 2025 Anniversary Sale, trends were all I saw.
Of all of Nordy's best fashion deals—an exhaustive list featuring European vacation essentials, easy linen pieces, and designer steals that I'm over the moon about—the mini, maxi, and midi dresses caught my eye the most. I've been searching far and wide for a gingham dress to wear to park picnics and found one in two quick scrolls. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has fall 2025's trends covered, too, with lace-y Victorian-esque slips and leopard print midis that you can start wearing in July and keep in your closet until December.
Keep scrolling to discover the on-trend dresses I recommend adding to your closet—and it's best to move quickly, considering the retailer's biggest annual sale is a fashion girl's goldmine for snagging top styles at almost-too-good-to-be-true prices. (For instance, my current Nordy's cart is filled with this summer's shoe trends and polished basics for fashion editor-worthy work outfits.) The discounts are running until August 3, so you only have a few more days to shop before everything returns to full price.
The Best Deals (So Far)
- Best Summer Wedding Guest Dress: ASTR the Label Maeve Floral Midi Sundress (Was $109), Now $76
- Best Floral Summer Dress: Rails Zariah Floral Puff Sleeve Midi Dress (Was $248), Now $167
- Best White Summer Dress: Steve Madden Osiris Lace Maxi Dress (Was $129), Now $85
- Best Black Summer Dress: MANGO One-Shoulder Linen Midi Dress (Was $100), Now $60
- Best Summer Dress With Sleeves: Alex Mill Lauren Long Sleeve Linen Wrap Dress (Was $255) Now $100
Best Summer Dress Deals on Nordstrom
In case you missed it: Boho fashion is back, and fall 2025's trend lineup will bring Victorian-era romance into the spotlight. In other words, lace is in, and this tiered maxi dress is an excellent take on the textile.
Sweet florals are always a good idea for summer. I adore this sweet plunging and puff-sleeved midi in a minimal black and white print.
Olive green is on the come up, hot on the heels of butter yellow and chocolate brown. This breezy kaftan from resort brand Diarrablu is an effortless way to give the natural color trend a try.
Up there with lace, ruffles and frills are also trending upwards. This button-down-inspired mini mixes professional polish with a girlish feel.
I've lost track of how long I've been waxing poetic about meaningful minimalism, but this colorblocked midi from Ever New perfectly executes the low-effort, high-impact aesthetic.
Summer celebrates color trends that boost your mood and are synonymous with the season's sunshine-y activities. This flower appliqué midi in cerulean is the dress equivalent of a perfect pool day.
As for the summer 2025 denim trends, easy shift dresses were at the forefront. Denim brand Frame masters the streamlined and simplified silhouette.
As MC fashion editor Lauren Tappan declared a few weeks ago, "Polka dots are fashion's favorite throwback print this summer." Instead of sticking to classic, retro-inspired black and white dots, this ASTR the Label midi opts for a more unexpected mint green.
A pre-crinkled dress you never have to steam? My credit card is already out, and I'm ready to try the textile trend that was across summer's runways. Plus, it comes in summer's trendy chocolate brown shade.
This corseted gingham dress is already en route to my apartment. In two to three business days, I'll wear it with my favorite cherry red kitten heels and trendy jute bag.
Covered in funky orchid motifs, this All Saints sheer and ruffle-trimmed dress is girly with a touch of grunge.
Comfy smocked summer dresses are having a moment, as reported by fashion e-commerce editor Julia Marzovilla. This ruched little black dress is a no-brainer, easy-to-wear buy.
Oh, how I love Alex Mill. The basics brand masters balancing timeless staples with trend infusion—like this puff-sleeved wrap dress in a classic black linen.
Here's another fantastic LBD. It's minimalist by nature but the asymmetrical, swooping shoulder and gathered waist add enough intrigue to help it stand out from the pack.
As I mentioned, boho style is back in a very, very big way. Farm Rio's paisley-print maxi with balloon sleeves honors the free-spirited aesthetic and reminds me of the gowns Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen wore during the aughts.
See my note above about summer's highly saturated shades—this electric Madewell linen shift dress is as refreshing as an orange popsicle.
You likely don't need me to tell you about the fisherman aesthetic that's dominating the season. This Breton-striped midi with gold buttons and center sailor pockets nails the sea-bound trend to a T.
Florals are, of course, a constant summer trend. But it's the modest mock neck and bow-tie back that have my fashion editor spidey senses tingling.
The playful bubble skirt trend is still going strong. Case in point: Max Mara's souped-up sleeveless mini dress.
For the rest of the summer, I'd style this flirty leopard-spotted mini with strappy, peep-toe sandals and then, come fall, with a brown blazer and leather knee-high boots.
With wrap-around flat sandals and a boho bag of your choice (I'd opt for suede), this paisley dress is the picture of modern bohemian style.
