In the wake of the past few years, two schools of thought have developed in the world of fashion.
The first represents a cultural shift towards the effortless; we’ve all breathed a sigh of relief that relaxed silhouettes and soft fabrics have been normalised for the everyday and there’s no going back. The second speaks to a deep desire to dress up and go out.
Amidst all this philosophy, one style in particular has emerged as queen: the dress. The ultimate combination of ease and celebration, the dress speaks to the moment in just the right way. For those who are especially time-poor (and who amongst us isn’t), a dress is the perfect style solution, a throw-on-and-go staple that requires minimum effort but guarantees maximum results. And with its history as the go-to piece for parties, a dress feels naturally festive.
In short, if you choose to invest in one thing this season, let it be a dress. What kind of dress is entirely down to you, for everything from casual jersey day dresses to floor-sweeping maxi dresses is on offer. To help guide you through your options, we’ve rounded up spring’s most flattering dresses.
Color Euphoria
Much has been made in recent years of the uplifting effect that wearing bright colors can have on our mood. For several seasons now, designers have been employing serotonin-boosting shades in retaliation to the state of the world around us, doing what they do best as a means of provoking positivity and optimism.
If a riotous print or retina-burning hue feel too far beyond your comfort zone, seek out dresses in a singular primary hue. The reassuring familiarity and instant, untainted joy of red, blue or green will do wonders for the soul. Look to midi dresses like our Elegant Panelled Midi Dress in electric blue or Ponte Twist Front Maxi Dress in clover-leaf green to fulfil the brief.
For the bolder sartorial tastes, our Wild Meadow Print Short Fit + Flare Dress and Statement Racerback Floor-Length Dress + Belt celebrate a bright-rose backdrop with aqua blue details and a solid deep orchid color respectively to shore up your curation of confident styles.
The added benefit of a dress in top-to-toe color is that it does all the work for you and requires barely any styling. Shoes in neutral tan or black - even white sneakers - and pared-back jewelry set you up for a look that is both contemporary and confident.
Freshly Picked Florals
It may seem a cliché but there’s a reason why floral dresses feel so right for spring. After months of hibernating from the dreariness of winter, a floral print in glorious technicolor is rejuvenating and life-affirming.
Elegant balloon-sleeve dresses that feature a traditional floral print like our Rose Print Structured Midi Dress speak to a certain classic nostalgia and British countryside wholesomeness.
If that feels too girly, opt instead for a more modern interpretation, like our Watercolor Floral Print Short Swing Dress + Belt or Wild Meadow Print Tiered Maxi Dress + Belt. These prints choose a more saturated palette and bring together a blend of colors that make a statement of their own. The swing style falls to a dipped hem that retains a short length while providing coverage, while the maxi - with its optional belt to draw in your waist - is all about 21st-century design engineering.
Forever Basics
It’s always worth shoring up your closet with a timeless staple. Ideal for throwing on when you’re heading out to run errands, meeting friends for brunch or even working from home, a simple style in a clean silhouette and classic color will always be useful.
Look to pieces like our Sleeveless Tiered Slub Maxi Dress or Open Collar Tiered Maxi Dress - casual but contemporary and polished enough to be seen out in.
The Spring LBD
There can be an inclination to save black dresses for evening or the gray, colder months of the year, but there is something particularly modern about styling a black dress on a bright spring day.
To ensure it feels effortless rather than over-dressed, opt for a style with a relaxed silhouette or feminine detailing. Styles like the Cheesecloth Shirred Halterneck Maxi Dress are a perfect example. A cut-out at the back and a soft tiered skirt make it feel lighthearted and the iron-free cotton fabric is easy by nature.
Sun Saviors
When spring and its school breaks roll around it’s time to start looking forward to sunny vacations at home and abroad. Part of the thrill is investing in a flattering, versatile vacation dress that you can wear for exploring during the day and dress up for cocktails in the evening.
Look to our Broderie Anglaise Chambray Swing Dress + Slip and Cotton Broderie Maxi Dress which are pretty with their feminine details but also lightweight and breathable in cotton broderie. Playing multiple roles in your vacation wardrobe, our Cheesecloth Button Front Maxi Shirt Dress + Belt doubles as both an AM-PM dress and beach cover-up when worn open and heroes either a classic black or fresh white colorway.
The Shirt Dress
The structured polish of a shirt dress makes it an AM-PM hero, taking you seamlessly from boardroom meeting to bar. This season’s hero shirt dresses come with removable belts, allowing you to transform the shape from loose to fitted.
For the most elevated iteration of the shirt dress, look to our Silk Pleat Collar Maxi Shirt Dress + Belt. Crafted from pure silk and with contrasting trims that highlight its statement collar, this maxi dress caters to everything from events to the office. Its spring-ready sibling, the Polka Dot Flower Maxi Shirt Dress + Belt heroes the same cut but is crafted from recycled crepe scattered with a print that combines a classic polka dot with florals.
In breathable, machine-washable stretch cotton, our Cotton Sateen Maxi Shirt Dress + Belt topped with a neat V-neckline framed by elbow-length sleeves that can be cuffed back and detailed with an optional belt creates a style that can be both dressed up and down.
The Co-ord
Not strictly a dress, but co-ords are a genius investment for a high-performing wardrobe. A matching set offers all the easy appeal of a dress and then some, with three times the styling opportunities.
Create the look of a dress by wearing a top and skirt like our Trailing Flower Print Halterneck Top and matching floor-length skirt together. Then deconstruct and style each piece separately to extend your wardrobe and give your investment extra mileage.
