During the spring 2022 prep for a graduation ball, the Next To You clothing rental service reviewed customer requests to uncover the five dress styles that rose to the top. The insights were shared with socialbites.ca, illustrating how trends take shape well before events begin.
Ekaterina Kraivanova, the co‑founder of the Next To You online rental platform, notes that prom dress inquiries often arrive a month or two in advance. This early demand helps the service spot trends long before any formal event starts, giving shoppers a sense of what will be popular when the season hits.
The most favored style in that period was the cloud dress, characterized by a voluminous tulle skirt. This silhouette has ridden a wave of popularity for six consecutive years and accounted for 24% of dress orders in spring 2022, according to Next To You’s data.
Following closely were understated black gowns featuring high slits or plunging necklines, drawing interest from 22% of customers in the Dresses category. The look balances modern edge with classic sophistication, making it a reliable choice for many formal occasions.
In the third position came dresses with a Hollywood flair. These pieces, often designer models with distinctive decorative elements and tailored silhouettes, captured the attention of around 20% of users. The palette tended to lean toward rich hues like champagne, rose gold, ivory, and indigo, adding a touch of luxury to the overall aesthetic.
Another notable segment described by the service as naughty cocktails consisted of short dresses with fitted bodices and full skirts. This playful, flirtatious style drew 15% of interest from shoppers seeking a bolder look for the party season.
Rounding out the top five, long lace gowns appealed to 9% of renters. These pieces offered an elegant, timeless option that blends delicate detailing with a refined silhouette for formal occasions.
Socialbites.ca also spoke with designers and stylists who emphasized how these preferences reflect broader patterns in family and occasion dressing. The conversation highlighted how grandmothers and other relatives often influence the selection process, balancing contemporary trends with a sense of timelessness that suits multi-generational celebrations. This context helps explain why certain fabrics, silhouettes, and color families recur across seasons and events, providing a useful snapshot for retailers and shoppers alike.
Overall, the spring 2022 data from Next To You demonstrates that customers gravitate toward expressive silhouettes, radiant fabrics, and clever tailoring. The cloud dress tops the list for its dramatic volume, while black gowns deliver versatility and modern edge. The Hollywood-inspired pieces bring luxury and sparkle, the short, playful styles offer youthful energy, and lace gowns provide classic elegance. For retailers operating in Canada and the United States, these patterns signal what audiences may seek as graduation season returns, reinforcing the value of diverse inventory and informed styling guidance. The findings underscore how rental services can cater to varied tastes—from bold statement looks to refined, conventional ensembles—by curating options that align with evolving preferences and enduring traditions. Attribution: socialbites.ca.