Olivia Rodrigo's Black Milkmaid Dress Is The Breeziest Summer 2024 Trend
If you ask us, summer is sundress season, and we can never have too many. From raiding our besties' closets to mimicking our celebrity role models, we're always on the hunt for our next favorite frock — and thanks to Olivia Rodrigo, we've found it. Once again cementing her status as a Gen Z style icon, Rodrigo was spotted wearing one of the hottest trends for summer 2024: the charming and adaptable milkmaid dress. Rodrigo rocked the style while jetting around Europe in June, complementing its quintessential summer vibes with beaded bracelets, dark sunglasses, and, of course, an ice cream cone to beat the heat.
Why do we love this look? Fitting neatly into vintage aesthetics like cottagecore and the Regencycore trend, milkmaid dresses are built on sweet details and a universally flattering fit. The silhouette typically has a scoop neckline, a cinched bust, and a ruched or corseted bodice that flows into a floaty A-line skirt. A midi-length hem, puffy sleeves, and pastel colors or florals are also common but not mandatory, as the "Driver's License" singer proved. Setting aside the voluminous sleeves and twee fabrics, Rodrigo opted for a chic, spaghetti-strap milkmaid design in solid black.
This range of styles makes it easy to fold the milkmaid trend into your own summer 2024 wardrobe. Whether you choose a classic milkmaid dress, take a cue from Rodrigo's contemporary twist on the look, or explore other variations, you can fit almost any vibe with this summer staple.
Classic milkmaid dresses deliver Bridgerton vibes
For your first foray into the milkmaid trend, you can never go wrong with the classic look. After all, it's classic for a reason. The archetypal milkmaid dress ticks the following boxes: puffed sleeves, gathered bust, midi length, and dainty patterns like ditsy florals or gingham. Color-wise, think about a soft, Regency-era palette, from cornflower blue and butter yellow to sage green or mauve. The overall look should exude an airy femininity that's perfect for picnics or garden strolls throughout spring and summer.
Bright florals breathe new life into milkmaid dresses
Want to shift the aesthetic from dreamy to eye-catching? If muted color schemes aren't your jam, consider perking up your sweet milkmaid dress with a slightly bolder pattern. For instance, bright, saturated florals maintain the dress' sunny sensibility while adding a little extra sass and personality to the overall look. Choosing a vibrant pattern also creates a great opportunity to pair your milkmaid dress with bolder makeup, like a timelessly alluring red lip.
Dark patterns offer a moody, romantic take on the milkmaid trend
Heads up, gloomy babes — milkmaid dresses also look incredible in rich, moody tones. While typical milkmaid dresses hearken back to Jane Austen novels, the brooding romanticism of a dark milkmaid dress serves up sweeping epics like "Jane Eyre" or "Wuthering Heights" — basically, any story where you could stand around looking heartsick on a windy moor. Deep shades like plum or navy set this yearning tone, as do patterns set against a black background. Pro tip: Dark-hued milkmaid dresses are fantastic transitional pieces for late summer and autumn.
Short, flirty milkmaid dresses are an easy win in 2024
Traditional milkmaid dresses love a midi-length hem, but fashion rules are made to be broken. Milkmaid minidresses are the fresh, flirty alternative for anyone who doesn't want to look like they've stepped straight out of a period drama. Combining the classic vibes of a milkmaid bodice with the modern, leg-baring cut of a minidress creates a look that's wholesome, playful, and perfect for all your summer adventures. Dress it up with a pair of strappy heels, or play it casual with your favorite minimalist sneakers.
Sleeveless milkmaid dresses are free-spirited for summer
Puffy sleeves who? Olivia Rodrigo didn't need them, and neither do you. For a spritely, carefree take on the milkmaid dress, consider a design with delicate straps or a halter neck instead. Eschewing the sleeves helps deemphasize your shoulders for an effect that's less structured and more natural. By extension, it also has a little less formality. Folks who wear this type of dress aren't sitting quietly in the drawing rooms of the ton — they're running barefoot across the grass and eating berries straight from the bush all summer long.
Milkmaid dresses can be styled sexy or cute
Whatever style of milkmaid dress you choose, rest assured that one of its best features will be its versatility. The inherent femininity of the design can be sweetened with hair bows and coquette makeup to create an innocent ingenue vibe, or it can be paired with sultry glam and loose-flowing locks for a more sensual feel. This adaptability makes milkmaid dresses day-to-night summer staples ready for any occasion, from lazy Sunday brunch to evening cocktails at a beachfront resort.