A new trend popping up across the fashionscape is cheeky and full of personality, but pinning down a name for it has been like trying to pin down why Instagram’s algorithm is the way that it is (why are there no good answers!?!)
Labels flirt with the vibe but miss the bigger picture — or rather, the smaller drawings. This trend isn’t really about silhouettes. We’ve seen it on everything from breezy sundresses to boxy button-ups. It’s not tied to one color palette or fabric. The point is the pattern.
Is it “Tropical Print?” Not quite. “Greek Vacation?” Warmer. “Italian Foodie?” Delicious, but still no.
What do all of these dresses have in common? A plethora of tiny minimalist line drawings. So we’re dubbing it “The Doodle Dress.” Not to be mistaken with poodle dress. This isn’t the 1950s.
The patterns and drawings are all different so there is no one doodle dress. It’s more of a genre with a fun mix of eye-catching designs that let self expression run wild.
Some prints depict coffee cups, croissants and picnic baskets. Some are more colorful with postage stamps and words all over. Many depict citrus or other fruits. Does it look slightly like someone handed a five-year-old a Sharpie and said, “Go off?” Sure, but in a cute way. It’s giving vacation sketchbook meets European farmers market meets your most charming beach daydream.
But you don’t have to take our word for it – we talked to three local boutiques who have embraced the playful look.
Mclendyn Weathersby of Love Rose Boutique says the trend actually began last year, but is now especially big. She thinks it’s because of all of the colors, saying it’s very different than some of the neutrals we’ve seen the last several years.
“We’re ready for color now. It’s our time to shine,” she says referring to Love Rose’s regular selection known for bold colors. “I always think when summer comes around people want more color,” she says.
Emily Hodges, of Denker’s Dry Goods, says “It’s always nice to have a switch up. After a year or two of a trend I feel like everyone starts to have the same thing.”
This year she’s noticed a lot of beach or costal-themed dresses, and Denkers customers are shopping this trend for pool cover-ups or a night out in a beach town.
“I like seeing the colors more than anything,” she says. A few years ago during “Barbie summer” everything was some shade of pink, but still mostly solids, making this year’s patterns a welcome change for Emily.
Other styles she says are “in” this year include the bubble hem and the strapless maxi dress – some of which you may see combined with a doodle dress print.
Rylee Bowman of Manifest Boutique fully endorses summer 2025 being “European Summer,” which is what she thinks this trend, and many others, are based on this year.
She says another good way to gauge summer trends is by looking at what people wear to Coachella. “It’s a big staple for the rest of summer,” says Rylee.
As for doodle dresses, Rylee has already been selling through several in-store. “They’re just so classy,” she says noting she would style one with a slicked-back bun and glowy highlighter. “They’re not minimalist but the lines are in the drawings so it ends up looking very chic,” she says.
Each of these local boutiques have a version of a doodle dress but in a way that fits their specific clientele. And while you could find a doodle dress just about anywhere right now, we all know shopping local just hits different.
