Alexandra Saint Mleux is bringing the sequin dress back beyond the party season
The sequin dress is no longer reserved for New Year’s Eve. This summer 2026, it has become the must-have holiday piece, far removed from the festive golds and silvers of the party season. Its bold new colour palette and sun-drenched prints make it a fully-fledged wardrobe staple for the warmer months.
A colour palette that changes everything
Forget the shades associated with New Year’s celebrations. The sequin dress is reinventing itself around vivid hues: icy blue, turquoise, vitamin orange and baby pink. These tones capture the spirit of summer far better than any gold ever could.
This transformation is part of what is being called the “Midnight Sun Aesthetic”, directly tied to Zara Larsson. The Swedish artist has become a social media phenomenon, as much in fashion as in music. Her colourful, perfectly calibrated kitsch style is now shaping the trends of the moment.
Sequins are being adorned with sun-soaked prints, often inspired by the underwater world. This approach runs counter to the deliberately pared-back old money aesthetic. Several brands have made it their signature: Clio Peppiatt, Là Fuori, Oceanus and Staud.
Roots firmly planted in the 90s
This trend traces its origins back to the 90s, when every cool girl embraced it. Naomi Campbell was spotted at parties and galas wearing Versace sequin dresses. She later posed alongside Kate Moss at the De Beers/Versace “Diamonds are Forever” celebration on 9 June 1999 in London.
“Sequin dresses are absolutely everywhere!”
Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss together at the 1995 Costume Institute Gala also helped cement this piece in fashion culture. The brilliance of sequins has always managed to travel through the decades without losing any of its shine.
The 2026 collections confirm the trend
In the spring-summer 2026 collections, the sequin dress held a place of honour. The Stella McCartney and Courrèges shows put it forward with conviction. Both houses validated its transition from the festive wardrobe to the summer wardrobe.
- Stella McCartney spring-summer 2026 incorporated sequin dresses into its collection.
- Matthieu Blazy’s debut Resort 2027 collection for Chanel closed on a turquoise sequin mermaid dress.
- Alessandro Michele presented a silver mini dress worn by Emily Ratajkowski for Gucci autumn-winter 2026-2027.
- Clio Peppiatt, Là Fuori, Oceanus and Staud have made aquatic prints their signature.
- Alexandra Saint Mleux is regularly seen in sequin-embroidered mini dresses by Clio Peppiatt.
Furthermore, Matthieu Blazy’s debut Resort 2027 collection for Chanel closed on a mermaid dress crafted entirely from turquoise sequins. It is a powerful statement from one of the most influential houses in the world.
Alessandro Michele also presented a silver mini dress worn by Emily Ratajkowski for the Gucci autumn-winter 2026-2027 collection. By drawing on the fashion codes of the 2000s, he confirms that the brilliance of sequins transcends every season.
Alexandra Saint Mleux, the trend’s first adopter on social media
On social media, Alexandra Saint Mleux appears to be the trend’s earliest adopter. She is regularly seen in sequin-embroidered mini dresses by Clio Peppiatt. Her influence is helping to anchor this piece firmly in the summer wardrobe.
The sequin dress is definitively leaving the end-of-year party wardrobe behind. It has now established itself as an obvious holiday choice, championed by it-girls and validated by the greatest fashion houses.
Our edit of sequin dresses for this summer
To embrace the trend, several pieces stand out this season. Clio Peppiatt offers a short Capri dress in tulle adorned with crystals and pearls, with a very summery trapeze silhouette. Là Fuori bets on a floral sequin dress directly inspired by the aquatic world.
Rixo delivers a Christabel embellished dress with a fully committed sirencore spirit. Rotate and Mango offer immaculate versions for a more understated look. Missoni plays the retro card with a short metallic crochet knit dress trimmed with sequins.
Gucci, meanwhile, presents a stretch-fabric dress with embroidered sequins, in keeping with the autumn-winter 2026-2027 collection. Oceanus, with its Marie Sea Full Beaded Dress, and Staud, with the Le Sable dress, round out a selection as varied as it is dazzling. Options such as the Romilly dress by Meshki or the Paula Sequined Mini Dress by Ila The Brand also make it possible to embrace the trend at every budget.
