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There’s a lot to be said for a dress that really knows how to move. Depending on the silhouette, a touch of fringing can bring either glamour or bohemia – and fashion is gunning for both this summer. Chanel kickstarted it with a floor-sweeping, rainbow feathered skirt worn with a simple silk T-shirt, but Loewe and McQueen also introduced varying iterations of fringing to the catwalk. Past versions of this tactile detail have stuck to festival territory, but for 2026 it’s sleek, grown-up and delivered in restrained, elegant shapes.
For spring/summer 2026, fringing takes on a more elongated length, which means more MOVEMENT AND DRAMA. Although it lends itself most naturally to after-dark, it has daytime range when styled correctly – just keep the rest of your outfit stripped back: think a pair of thong sandals and you’re good to go. STREAMLINED SILHOUETTES give fringing a CONTEMPORARY EDGE; an asymmetric neckline or a boxy midi. If you don’t want to overcommit, consider a fringed cape detail (Whistles has a great understated LBD option), or a fringe trim (look to Cos’ chocolate brown style).Â
The more relaxed fringed dresses are perfect as beach cover-ups. Tunics (like this mustard look from Oas), and crochet numbers (such as this design from Zara) fall on the right side of bohemia, perfect for sunset strolls that end up in sundowners. These are dresses that come alive when you wear them, what could be more compelling?
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Lead image: H&M
Ella Alexander is Citizen Femme’s fashion features editor. She started her career at the Evening Standard, and has since held senior editorial roles at Vogue, The Independent and Harper’s Bazaar, where she remains a contributing editor. She also writes for The Telegraph, Sunday Times Style, Service95 and CNN. She is an author, having co-written Dame Zandra Rhodes’ memoir, Iconic: My Life In Fashion In 50 Objects, published by Transworld in July 2024. Her favourite travel destination is Catania, Sicily’s second city.
