It might have snowed in the UK this week (gulp), but believe it or not, warmer weather is on the horizon. You know what this means: dress season is imminent. Hallelujah! Of course, dresses are a popular choice year-round, but there is nothing like wearing a relaxed, loose-fitting frock (sans wool coat) in milder climes. These one-and-done pieces just lend themselves so well to minimal layers and sunshine accessories. Personally, I cannot wait to leave the house in just a breezy cotton midi dress, ballet flats and a straw tote.
But everyone's dress needs are different, and this season there's a trend to cater to every taste. Whether you're planning for a formal event that necessitates a wow-factor gown, or you're on the lookout for some effortless everyday dresses to plug the gaps in your transitional wardrobe, you've come to the right place. We've identified four dress styles that we think will dominate over the next couple of months, and sought out the very best examples of each.
So, get ready to meet the dress of your dreams, and scroll down to see the key designs on our radar for spring.
1. Ribbed Midi Dresses
Style Notes: For days at home, this modern staple feels like an elevated take on loungewear. But add some low heels, a shoulder back and some dainty gold jewellery, and you're ready for a chic day in the city. This season, fitted silhouettes are stealing the spotlight, and we're also adding some bright iterations to our roster.
SHOP RIBBED DRESSES:
Part of H&M's premium range, this cashmere-blend dress will tide you over until summer.
Spring greens.
You could also unbutton this and wear it as a long cardigan over a tank top and jeans.
Every wardrobe needs simple foundational pieces like this.
House of Dagmar has lots of beautiful ribbed dresses, but this raspberry-coloured design instantly caught my eye.
So many influencers have already snapped up this versatile midi.
2. Floor-Sweeping Statement Dresses
Style Notes: Maybe it's a delayed reaction to lockdown, or perhaps there's something in the air that's tapping into our dramatic sides—whatever the reason, attention-grabbing event dresses are popping up on our Insta feeds more and more frequently. We're into it, though, especially with wedding season coming up...
SHOP STATEMENT DRESSES:
This is the dress Katherine is wearing in a sleek off-white shade.
One-shoulder silhouettes are back with a bang.
What an exquisite print.
Wear this lemon-yellow beauty to your first wedding of the year.
Beetlejuice, but make it chic.
Between the voluminous sleeves, the textured finish and the vibrant green shade, this dress looks seriously premium.
3. Transitional Throw-On Dresses
Style Notes: We've hit the awkward period between winter and spring when the weather is unpredictable, and wardrobe dilemmas emerge. To combat this sartorial struggle, stock up on some easy-to-style dresses that you can easily layer a look around.
SHOP TRANSITIONAL DRESSES:
I've been wanting this dress for months, and I think I might finally give in to temptation.
Denim is a key fabric for 2023.
Yes, it's that dress again.
This works wonderfully with knee-high boots, but will also look great with chunky sandals when summer finally arrives.
We love this easy midi dress, which is part of the Sezane x SEA collab.
4. Dopamine-Boosting Dresses
Style Notes: To celebrate brighter days ahead, the fashion set is stepping out in all colours of the rainbow. We'll be taking note and favouring dresses in tangerine, fuschia and cerulean hues for the foreseeable. Consider our moods boosted.
SHOP COLOURFUL DRESSES
This looks so luxurious considering it's under £150.
The dress all our editors are swooning over.
The T-shirt-style neckline gives this standout dress a casual feel.
This makes me want to book a Mediterranean getaway, stat.
The perfect wedding guest dress.
You'll feel like a walking wildflower meadow in this pretty dress.
Next Up: I Just Popped Into Mango on My Lunch Break and Wow, the Dresses
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
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