The Babydoll Dress Trend Is Taking Over in 2026

There are certain dress trends that come back every summer like clockwork—white cotton dresses, slinky slips, breezy maxis—but this year, fashion people have made room for something a little sweeter. Enter the babydoll dress. After having a major moment this spring and early summer, the playful, slightly nostalgic silhouette is sticking around for late summer, and frankly, it might be one of the easiest dresses to wear right now.

It makes sense that the style has found fans across both Gen Z and millennials. With its flirty hemline, floaty shape, and decidedly ’60s-meets-’90s energy, the babydoll dress feels fun without requiring much actual styling. Throw one on with ballet flats and a shoulder bag for something polished, or add flip-flops and sunglasses when it’s simply too hot to think about an outfit. Unlike some of summer’s more fleeting dress trends, this one has plenty of mileage left once temperatures start to drop. Come fall, add knee-high boots and layer a chunky cardigan or oversized sweater on top, and suddenly your summery mini has an entirely different personality.