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It's one of the biggest trends to emerge from Fashion Month and the street style scene.

And it's either going to make you feel excited, nostalgic, or terrified. Possibly all three.

The trend in question? Dresses layered over pants.

Dresses were paired with trousers at Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Carven and many more spring-summer 2026 shows. Images: Instagram/@balenciaga; Getty, and Instagram/@carven.

While the look might seem very new to the Gen-Z fashion consumer, it's highly triggering for the elder millennials that lived through it the first time around.

Back in the early noughties, a dress paired with jeans or capri pants was the red carpet move of the moment, and It-girls of the era like Ashley Tisdale and Mischa Barton made the combo iconic.

Mischa Barton attends the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards in 2004 in a truly iconic fit. Image: Getty.

High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale at a film premiere in 2004. Note the lace trim. Image: Getty.

I distinctly remember begging my mum for an embellished tunic from Sass & Bide so I could be just like the girls from The OC. Instead, I got the budget version from Supre.

We all copied the look for less, and we wore it to death.

But like many defining trends that have cycled back into fashion, this one was never really dead — it was just in remission.

Now, we're seeing a refreshed take on wearing dresses over pants for summer 2025, and I've gotta admit… it looks way cooler the second time around.

Questions? Concerns? I'm here to answer your FAQ's.

How are they styling it now?

Brands such as The Row, Michael Kors and Toteme have been showing elongated silhouettes with longer tops over pants for several seasons now.

It's a natural next step that the trend has now reached our wardrobes — think of it as an evolution of those big tees we've all been wearing with looser bottoms.

The most accessible approach we're seeing on and off the runways is a longline tunic with relaxed trousers in a matching shade or neutrals.

It's a look that can be dressed up or down, and doesn't feel too crazy.

Street style photographer Despi Naka captured this cool pairing at Fashion Week. British influencer Monikh shows her take on the look in a set by Faithful. Images: Instagram/despi_naka; @monikh

At Copenhagen Fashion Week, where they're more experimental, attendees took a braver route — some were seen wearing embellished tank dresses over trackpants, or lace slip-dresses with suit trousers.

Rogue, but it worked!

British content creator and broadcaster Polly Sayer layers a slip-dress over suiting, and this tunic look went viral during Copenhagen Fashion Week. Instagram/ @pollyvsayer; Getty.

How do I get it right? (And not very, very wrong.)

It's all about the proportions: layering a dress with the correct length to sit over pants in a way that feels chic, not awkward.

So how do we achieve that balance? Good question. Important.

Tip 1: Shop a matching set.

My best advice is to look for a ready-made set that's figured out the proportions for you. DISSH, Sabo and Vrg Grl are three local brands that offer coordinating pieces that take the stress out of searching for the perfect pairing. I've even found some super affordable options at Target.

Tip 2: Opt for flowy fabrics.

If you're going the DIY route, look for fabrics like satin and linen that have a natural ease to them, so the pieces fall nicely together. A robe-style wrap top or long silky tunic is a good place to start.

It also works to team more structured pieces, like a sturdy strapless tunic or blazer dress, over textured pants such as lace or knit options.

One of our regular Nothing to Wear podcast co-hosts and fashion expert Lucinda Pikkat did this recently with a structured mini dress styled over a wide-leg trouser.

Image: Supplied / @

Tip 3: Defer to "jeans and a nice top."

Keen to attempt a dress over jeans? A statement top makes the choice feel deliberate, not like an afterthought.

To give your outfit some polish, embrace the contrast of a fancier top with relaxed denim — think baggy jeans or a flared cut.

You could opt for a peplum-style top, or channel the Scandi streetstyle vibes in a lace-trim dress.

Street style at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Images: Instagram/@despi_naka.

Where to shop it.

Ease your way in with a longline tunic or knit top paired with matching pants.

Here are 5 of my favourite co-ords to try the trend for summer (and bonus, you can wear the pieces separately too.)

Target Sleeveless Crochet Tunic Top, $30, and Crochet Straight Leg Pants, $40.

Image: Target.

Sabo Skirt Ailish Top, $88, and Ailish pants, $98.

Image: Sabo Skirt.

DISSH Manhattan Charcoal Tweed Tunic Vest, now $111.99, and Manhattan Charcoal Tweed Pant, $118.99.

Image: DISSH.

Faithful the Brand Syna Top, $200, and Syna Pant, $260.

Image: Faithful the Brand.

Vrg Grl Lo Jacquard Mini Dress, $139, and Josefin Jacquard Pants, $159.

Image: Vrg Grl.

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Feature image: Getty.