Maxi Dresses in the “Skims” Style: The IT-Girl Favorite of This Summer

Refined, feminine, and alluring—these are the key descriptors for the maxi dress style that has captured the hearts of IT-girls this summer.

Summer is the perfect time for fashion enthusiasts to showcase their aesthetic preferences, and one of the most favored choices this season is the “Skims-style” fitted maxi dress. From sun-soaked vacations to trendy city streets, this dress style has become a staple among summer’s hottest fashionistas. Not only does it offer comfort, but it also accentuates the body’s curves, creating an alluring yet sophisticated look.

**Skims Maxi Dress**

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Skims, the renowned shapewear brand founded by Kim Kardashian, aims to highlight the female form with its simple yet versatile designs. The brand’s distinctive feature is its minimalist cuts and neutral tones, making its products suitable for a variety of skin tones, body types, and ages. Among its standout offerings, the fitted maxi dress has quickly become iconic, garnering widespread admiration. This has led to the popularization of the term “Skims style”—referring to the body-hugging maxi dress trend pioneered by Skims.

Though fitted maxi dresses have been around for some time, Skims has propelled this style into the spotlight. These dresses are not only easy to wear but also elegantly showcase the body’s curves. In summer, when comfort and feminine beauty are paramount, it’s no surprise that these dresses are more popular than ever. Even the Jenner sisters and top models have fallen under the spell of this trend.

Kendall Jenner chose a pastel purple fitted maxi dress for a romantic sunset look. The dress’s turtleneck and sheer fabric added an extra touch of allure and femininity under the evening sun. Meanwhile, Kylie Jenner opted for a luxurious brown design by Paris Georgia for her vacation in Mallorca. The maxi dress highlighted her enviable curves and captivating beauty against a vibrant orange sky, with gold jewelry enhancing her sophisticated fashion statement.

Barbara Palvin is another star who embraces the “Skims style” maxi dress. Her black dress, paired with flowing hair and a chic wristwatch, exudes a blend of elegance and sensuality. The varied styling by IT-girls demonstrates that a single dress style can offer distinct looks.

South Korean actress and singer Son Na-eun also follows the “Skims style” trend. During recent travels, the former Apink member wore a fitted maxi dress paired with a simple cap. This look, combining trendiness with ultimate comfort, is perfect for summer strolls or vacations.

The fitted maxi dress proves to be a versatile “key item” for various styles. To achieve a sophisticated evening look, metallic accessories are the ideal touch. For a more relaxed summer style, fashionistas often pair maxi dresses with flip-flops or comfortable sandals.

**“Girlcore” Sneakers – The Trend Dominating Female Fashion Enthusiasts**

Far from minimalist designs suitable for any fashion style or chunky, rugged designs, the “girlcore” sneaker—featuring details like bows, lace, or sparkling embellishments—has become the standout item embraced by women this year.

The “girlcore” trend of 2024 is all about maximizing femininity in fashion. It extends beyond traditionally feminine accessories like bows and hair clips to infuse soft, feminine touches into typically masculine, robust designs such as sneakers. The “girlcore” style has made its mark in the sneaker world with designs adorned with bows, ruffles, and more.

Emphasizing femininity in fashion, the “girlcore” trend continues to dominate from high-fashion runways to the everyday wardrobes of stylish women. If you’re unfamiliar with “girlcore,” it’s a fashion style that celebrates femininity in every possible way. From soft, billowing looks to bold outfits making striking fashion statements, “girlcore” focuses on femininity through decorative details like bows and flowers, as well as sweet colors. It blends elements of “Blokettecore” (90s ladette style), the extreme femininity of “Coquettecore,” and the romantic aspirations of “Tomato Girls,” allowing women to embrace their childhood selves and express creativity without judgment.

The popularity of “girlcore” sneakers has led to a surge in micro-trend designs, including ballet sneakers, Mary Jane-inspired sneakers, and chunky sneakers embellished with bows and lace in line with “coquettecore.”

**Ballet Sneakers**
With the powerful influence of “Balletcore,” ballet sneakers have emerged to offer a blend of dynamism and elegance while maintaining a feminine and delicate aesthetic.

The introduction of ballet sneakers has brought a fresh breeze to modern fashion by breaking traditional norms and offering creative flexibility. These sneakers strike a balance between comfort and sophistication and even add height to the wearer’s silhouette. From runways to social media and street fashion, ballet sneakers represent a special upgrade, blending the worlds of sports, art, and fashion.

First showcased during the Spring-Summer 2021 collection by Simone Rocha, ballet sneakers have appeared in various iterations, from high-end to affordable brands. Simone Rocha describes these sneakers as “a collision and contrast,” with brands integrating elements from ballet art into sporty designs, resulting in unique satin sneakers or those featuring crisscross ribbon laces reminiscent of ballet shoes. Some brands have even created chunky versions with sturdy soles to create design contrasts.

In addition to Simone Rocha, brands like JW Pei, Rombaut, and Rockfish Weatherwear offer diverse ballet sneaker designs. The trend has also seen notable collaborations, such as Marc Jacobs x Kiko Kostadinov x Asics Gel-Lokros and the recent Salomon x Sandy Liang.

**Mary Jane-Like Sneakers**
For those who find ballet sneakers too delicate but still want to embrace the “girlcore” trend, Mary Jane-inspired sneakers with simpler details may be the perfect choice.

Mary Jane sneakers are often described as “so ugly they’re cute,” featuring a more rugged design with convenient Velcro straps, adding a sporty edge. These sneakers evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of schoolgirl uniform shoes but are more dynamic and robust.

In reality, Mary Jane sneakers existed before ballet sneakers became a fashion phenomenon. For example, the Sketchers Bikers Fiesta Mary Janes, launched nearly a decade ago, were initially dismissed by younger fashionistas due to their “old-fashioned” appearance. However, with the rise of “Balletcore” and “Preppy” trends, Mary Jane sneakers have found favor among fashion enthusiasts and are now coveted in many wardrobes.

Recently, both high-end and mainstream brands have launched Mary Jane sneakers, combining femininity with comfort. Brands like Skechers, Rothy’s, Moncler, and Simone Rocha have released Mary Jane sneakers that are stylish yet comfortable. Cecilie Bahnsen’s collaboration with Asics also highlights the artistic elements behind each pair, blending Bahnsen’s feminine elegance with Asics’ technical prowess.

**Sneakers with Unexpected Contrasts**
Gone are the days of mundane footwear, as the “girlcore” sneaker trend brings a wave of new designs with feminine embellishments that create unexpected contrasts in structure and style. Think of all the cute, feminine details from “coquettecore” like ribbons, glitter, lace, and feathers—these elements are now making a bold statement on trendy sneakers for 2024.

Sneakers with “unexpected contrasts” perfectly balance femininity and sophistication with strength and character. With athletic designs offering comfort and fun, bold embellishments, these sneakers represent the “best of both worlds” for our fashion-savvy readers.

Besides Simone Rocha, brands like Acne Studios, Junya Watanabe, and Flower Mountain have also joined the trend with striking embellished designs. Asics has partnered with Shushu/Tong and Cecilie Bahnsen to create sneakers that offer both foot protection and romantic, alluring designs.