Fondant fancy: the 2025 occasionwear trend to invest in now

pastel occasion wear dresses
The pastel occasionwear trend to invest in now getty images

As awards season draws to a close, fashion editors have their beady eyes set on the dresses that hit the red carpet, chosen by the world’s very best celebrity stylists. Their discerning eyes, coupled with the recent runway shows that took place over February, have firmly set the tone for occasionwear shopping for the season ahead. Here at Good Housekeeping, we’ve digested these trends to bring you the one we think is worthy for our readers to know…

The ultimate 2025 occasionwear trend to watch out for is all things pastel. It’s time to eat the exceedingly good cakes of Mr Kipling and adopt it into our dressing this year. Think butter yellow, pistachio green, powdered blue and blush pink. Seen all over the 97th Oscars, stars dreamingly set the sugary shade tone for our own spring/summer dressing to come.

So whether you’re headed to Ascot, a spring wedding or a summer garden party, have a scroll through this edit for a first look at the top pastel pieces to invest in for all your summer events.

Don’t fret! While this trend is taking form to be the most sophisticated style of the season, we’ll still be taking into account cost per wear, fabric and usefulness of each choice – basically doing all the hard work for you!

March has begun, and so has spring. You may ask yourself, is it too early to start looking for that perfect occasionwear dress? The simply answer is, it’s never too early. With our favourite brands dropping occasionwear now, pieces are already selling out. So in the spirit of “sooner rather than later” (the best course of action), make sure you find that gem before it sells out.

Here are our favourites below.

Powder Blue

Just because it’s a pastel shade, doesn’t mean it can’t be any less striking. Powder blue dresses are the freshest of pastel variations, especially on darker skin tones. Larger floral prints or jumpsuit iterations help casual-ise occasionwear for more low-key events.


Floral Round Neck Tea Dress

M&S
M&S

£45.00 at marksandspencer.com


Ruffle Seren Dress

Nobodies Child
Nobodies Child

$110.00 at nobodyschild.com


Petite Sienna Jumpsuit

Phase Eight
Phase Eight

£229.00 at phase-eight.com


Caversham Floral Silk Dress

Hobbs
Hobbs

£349.00 at hobbs.com

Butter Lemon

A firm favourite adopted by men and women at the Oscars this year. This versatile shade can be worn as a dress, co-ord and even a suit – channel your inner Timothée Chalamet. Seen all over the high street, you’ll be seeing butter lemon everywhere…

pastel occasion wear dresses
Kelsey McNeal


Butter Yellow Puff Sleeve Dress

Nobody's Child
Nobody's Child

$120.00 at nobodyschild.com


Moya Linen Two Piece

Reformation
Reformation

£295.00 at reformation.com


Wilma Crepe Midi Tea Dress

Ghost
Ghost

£129.00 at ghost.co.uk


Rosie Dress in Vintage Yellow

Omnes
Omnes

$89.00 at omnes.com

Blush Pink

A classical favourite and a bridesmaid’s dress palette staple. Blush pink flatters a range of skin tones, such as pale and olive. Quite often coupled with ruffles, this romantic shade is one for the girls.


Pastel Pink Long Sleeve Maxi Dress

Next
Next

£72.00 at next.co.uk


Soft Pink Midi Alaina Dress

Nobodies Child
Nobodies Child

$130.00 at nobodyschild.com


Pearl Viscose Puff Sleeve Dress

LK Bennett
LK Bennett

£299.00 at lkbennett.com


Genette Jacquard Maxi Dress

Phase Eight
Phase Eight

£289.00 at phase-eight.com

Pistachio Green

A personal favourite of mine and for those who are drawn to green shades. This is the year of the pistachio – and now it’s on our clothes, too. This shade will complement gold accessories and work wonderfully from destination weddings to that springtime birthday party.


Magnus Dress

reformation
reformation

£298.00 at reformation.com


Satin dress with back opening

Mango
Mango

£139.99 at mango.com.uk


Petite Thea Tie Belted Dress

Hobbs
Hobbs

£199.00 at hobbs.com

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