Two Easy, On-Trend Updates That Make White Summer Dresses Much Less

By Swedan MargenJune 9, 2025

While I love a white dress for its ease, simplicity and summery charm, it’s a trend that can easily feel quite predictable, especially a couple of months into the summer. Often in need of a little colour or texture to bring it to life, I’m always on the lookout for fresh inspiration and, this week, Elsa Hosk delivered in spades with her perfectly updated take on early-summer white dress styling.

Elsa Hosk elevated her simple white cotton dress with a butter yellow cardigan and animal print shoes, giving it a decidedly summer 2025 energy.

Adding a flush of colour to her summery look, Hosk tapped into one of the season’s most talked-about trends: butter yellow. Choosing a cosy knit in the soft, sunny shade, she added both contrast and warmth to her daytime look with next to no effort.

Stepping into another key trend, Hosk reached for a pair of animal print shoes in a chic leopard motif. Between the on-trend hue of her knit and the statement-making ability of her footwear, the two additions ensured her white dress (the Prada style all of our editors are into right now) felt even more directional and current.

A simple styling formula that any fashion person would commend you for: a white dress, teamed with a colourful cardigan and an leopard-print shoe delivers an easily elevated ensemble that you can come back to throughout the season.

If Hosk has inspired you just as much as she has me, read on to discover my edit of the best white dresses, yellow cardigans and animal print shoes below.