Editor’s Note: Fashionistas Julie Wilson and Abigail Bruggeman have translated more world fashion trends into ballroom creations for our USA Dancers!
Summer 2025 Trend Report
Creative Director: Julie Wilson
Fashion Correspondent: Abigail Bruggeman
Summer has officially started with the summer solstice waltzing by and a heat wave taking center stage. The only thing hotter than the summer air is this Summer Trend Report. Twirling into the spotlight are creamy pastels reminiscent of raspberry gelato and strawberry sorbets. As the sun shines, summer twirls in with gardens of exotic flowers, while fashion cha-chas in with an array of floral patterns. Finally, in true ballroom fashion, this Summer 2025 glides in with an ocean breeze and an ensemble of exaggerated flounces.
Strawberry Sorbet
Nothing compares to the sweet flavor of strawberry sorbet on a hot summer day, much like the elegance of a graceful waltz on a ballroom floor. Picture yourself twirling in a soft, strawberry-pink gown, embodying both sweetness and sophistication.
Giambattista Valli and Stella McCartney embraced the sweetness of strawberry pink with frilly ruffles in their Spring 25 Ready-to-Wear collections, while Chanel took the trend to new heights (or hemlines) with full-length baby pink gowns.
This season, baby pink pastels have danced from the runway to the ballroom, with dresses like Blushed and Fru-Fru adorned with delightful strawberry embellishments such as fringe and marabou feathers.
Garden Glitz
While soft, rosy pinks echo the Strawberry Sorbet trend, flowers such as roses, lilies, and orchids are also stepping into the limelight. Who What Wear refers to this trend as ‘Chintz Florals,’ where ‘kitsch meets romantic.’
Ellie Saab’s 2025 Couture Collection featured breathtaking floor-length floral gowns, adorned with delicate pink roses and shimmering golden gardenias. This collection truly embodies the essence of ruffles, romance, and roses.
Embrace this trend on the dance floor with dresses that bloom with elegance. Try-on Castaway, which showcases a sheer floral cape gracefully draping over one shoulder. Or, delve into the Darkside of the Bloom, a new arrival that encapsulates the enchanting allure of dark gardenia glamour!
Flouncy Flair
This Summer 2025, both fashion enthusiasts and dancers are set to embrace the season with the delightful return of flouncy hemlines.
Iris van Herpen’s 2025 Couture Collection showcased voluminous and ruffled designs, infusing a whimsical spirit into their avant-garde pieces. The collection features garments adorned with flouncy hems and dramatic, cape-like elements crafted from chiffon.
A flouncy hemline brings a light and breezy essence to summer trends. On the dance floor, these delightful flounces promise to accentuate graceful movements with each step. A dress like Azalea evokes the designs of Iris van Herpen. Meanwhile, Aquafina and Shades of Gray beautifully embrace the fluidity of flounce.
About our Fashion Correspondent
Abigail Bruggeman, a graduate of Marymount University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Public Relations, possesses a remarkable ability to convert runway trends into breathtaking ballroom attire. She is the go-to expert for American Dancer Magazine when it comes to insights and trends in ballroom fashion.
Book a Personal Styling Appointment with Abigial HERE: https://encoreballroomcouture.com/personal-shopper/
About Hairpins to Hemlines:
Hairpins to Hemlines is a Fashion Trend Report produced exclusively by Encore Ballroom Couture. It explains the upcoming fashion trends in mainstream fashion, so you can stay on point and current in your dance wardrobe selections.
Hairpins to Hemlines is produced four times a year, spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each report will be emailed directly to your inbox.
About our Fashion Correspondent:
Abigail Bruggeman, a graduate of Marymount University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Public Relations, possesses a remarkable ability to convert runway trends into breathtaking ballroom attire. She is the go-to expert for American Dancer when it comes to insights and trends in ballroom fashion.
