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A floral dress is typically worn casually in spring and summer but in an era of aesthetics and -core trends, there’s now something floral for every style, occasion, and season. Like a deep-red velveted floral number for an end-of-the-year Christmas party, or an earthy-toned floral maxi dress for fall festivities. There are even office-appropriate ‘fits including T-shirt dresses with bold petal prints.
If you also love all things floral and want to upgrade your capsule wardrobe with floral-printed pieces for every occasion and season, read on to find the best floral dress to incorporate into your closet. Plus, we’re also doling out styling tips on what to consider when buying a floral dress.
Things To Consider When Shopping For a Floral Dress
Do not (!) check out that cart. Look, I’m as anxious as you are to buy a floral dress but there are a few things to consider before you officially complete your purchase. (And if you haven’t started shopping yet and don’t have anything in checkout, please disregard this message and carry on reading, lol).
Your Body Shape
When buying any dress, be it a floor-length gown or a silky sheath dress, it’s important to consider your body shape. You want your floral dress to compliment your figure and accentuate the curves you already have. For example, an apple shape looks better in a V-neckline and self-tied or belted dresses with fully flowy skirts to give the illusion of curves. Inverted triangle shapes should opt for A-line maxi dresses, particularly with ethereal chiffon floral prints, to help draw attention to the lower half of your body and away from the shoulders.
Shape isn’t the only thing that matters. Height does too. Maxi and midi dresses are a tall woman’s best friend because they’re super flattering and more importantly, show off their best feature: the legs!
You can’t change your body shape so, don’t bother working against it—use your shape and height to your advantage.
Flower Colors
Naturally, the color you choose is your personal preference, but consider how color can complement your skin tone. As a deep-skinned woman, I often wear soft, pastel colors like lilac and baby blue because they contrast nicely. Brighter hues like red and orange are flattering to paler-skinned women, while both neutrals and cool colors look well on olive skin tones. Even if you’re not a fan of bright colors or pastels, you can always wear black and white flowers. Just remember to accessorize—maybe add a different colored tote or shoes, hmm?—to complete the look. You don’t want to wash yourself out and black and white flowers can do that.
Credit: Reformation
Floral Print Size and Density
Yeah…a too-big or too-small print size can mess up the whole look. And I’m not being dramatic here! Those with full physiques should avoid larger prints because it can make them appear bigger than they are. Medium-size prints can also draw a lot of negative attention too, especially if the print is flaunting an area that’s not flattering to one’s figure. Small prints work for every figure and height, plus they look ten times better because they’re not *bam* in your face. However, if you opt for medium to large print size, choose a more sparse print. It’ll look more visually appealing and less strenuous on the eye, trust!
How To Wear a Floral Dress
I love love love how you can wear a floral dress and style it up or down easily. Sneakers or sandals can tone down your maxi dress for a casual playtime look, while high heels and an over-the-shoulder handbag make a fine night-on-the-town getup. Most floral dresses are naturally ~ beachy ~ but add a floppy hat and some sunnies to complete the look.
For less warm outings, look for earthy tones (burgundy, burnt orange, and olive) dresses and pair your dress with booties or cowboy boots to perfect a cozy autumn look. Floral dresses for winter also exist—look for thick fabrics like velvet and wool that will keep you warm. Also, wear deep, bold colors like merlot and snow white that resemble winter. Even if you can’t find the exact coloring or fabric (that’s where layering comes in!), you can make the look work with shoes and jewelry. It’s all about the accessories, bb!
So, you now have a run-through of a) how a body type can make or break the outfit dress, b) the color(s) that work best for every skin tone, and c) how to style floral dress for every season and occasion. Next up is this shortlist of our best floral dress picks. Because you didn’t read all of that to not shop, amirite??
Our Top Picks
Best For Spring
You won’t regret splurging on this Somerset maxi dress. It’s super versatile and can be worn for almost any occasion from a spring wedding to a beachy vacation. I love it, especially for spring bc its cotton fabric is breathable and light for those warmer days. The pin-tucked hemline isn’t too tight that your bodice is suffocating but still snug to hold up the girls (if you’re forgoing a bra). The not-too-poofy puff sleeves and smocked waist give it a romantic cottagecore vibe, which is tots on trend for spring weather.
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Best For Summer
Brb, I’m adding this to my cart. Because this floral mini dress is so *stunning* that I need to wear it for the ‘gram (and my wallet too, of course). It’s naturally a summer dress because it shows off e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. But it’s not sheer, despite its see-through appearance. It’s stitched with voile fabric but is fully lined so no accidental flashes.
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Best For Autumn
Shopping for fall and winter floral dresses is a struggle since most options aren’t warm enough for cold weather. But this Zuri Wrap dress from Daughters of India is an exception. It’s 100 percent cotton and has a dramatic skirt, self-tie closure, and small ruffled trim. The tan, bronze color makes it perf for fall and you can pair it with ankle boots and knit weather to complete the look. If you’re not sold already, did we mention it also has pockets?? 10/10.
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Remember when I said winter floral dresses are literally impossible to find? Yeah, I was wrong bc I was looking on Rent the Runway for a good winter gown when I stumbled on this floral maxi. It’s cold-weather proof with long sleeves and thick, velvet fabric. The V-neckline and thigh-high slit are more on the sexy side but the printed florals tone it down and make it more elegant.
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Best Floral Maxi Dress
I’m in love with this corset cocktail dress because it flatters your frame, even if you have a square body shape and no curves (lol, me). Unlike a bodycon dress that fits snugly, this House of CB maxi contains a built-in wire bra and corset to accentuate your bust, but has a loose hemline for easy walkability. The powermesh lining helps give the illusion of a slim, hourglass figure.
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Best Floral Mini Dress
Google Barbiecore and I promise this babydoll dress will be the first result. It’s super romantic with the puffiest sleeves and floral ribbon print. Pair it with ballet slippers (to hone in on the balletcore aesthetic), strappy sandals, or all-white sneakers if you want to dress it down.
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Best Floral Midi Dress
For the girlies who want to look romantic but with a little coverage. Say hello to this Petites Marguerite dress. The sweetheart neckline and side slit will accent your sensuality, while the midi length keeps a touch of modesty. The charmeuse silk fabric means the dress feels lightweight and nice on your skin, which is a must (!) for hot and humid summers.
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Best For Weddings
A romantic dress is the right choice for a day of love. This Anthropologie pick has an A-line silhouette, a loose sweeping skirt, and a sheer overlay embellished by floral needlework. It can’t get more lovey-dovey than this.
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Best For The Beach
A Kaftan dress is breathable and comfy and the most obvious choice for the beach. What we love the most about this Madewell Kaftan dress is its wearability. Style it up with white block heels and a clutch for a night out. Or, grab some sandals and a floppy hat and relax in style on a tropical beach. Both options sound good to me.
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Best For Casual Outings
This midi dress is the staple your closet has been begging for. The zipper closure comes in handy since the straps aren’t adjustable. The loose fit and cotton material feel lightweight and breathable, making it optimal for daily errands and casual outings. We only wish it had pockets (boo) but a white tote matches well, so we really can’t complain.
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Best For Office Wear
This cotton midi dress is corporate America-approved for its knee-length and full-length sleeves. But it’s The Quality Edit approved for its dainty lemon print and flattering fit. We’re not wearing boring officeware in 2024, so add this Amy Cotton shirt to your cart, stat!
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Best For Date Nights
If there’s one dress to buy on this list, it’s this one! Honestly, it looks like something out of Carrie Bradshaw’s closet, and if that doesn’t scream glam, then idk what does. The front and back cutouts show just the right amount of skin to excite your partner. Straps are pencil-thin to accentuate your collar bones but can be adjusted to provide support since wearing a bra is out of the question. The poppy pattern is so vibrant that it draws eyes and makes the dress stand out even more.
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Best For Formal Events
It’s a crime to humanity that most formal dresses stay away from bold and bright colors. Honestly, vibrant colors show personality and that’s exactly what is needed at stuffy dinners. So, the next time you’re dining for a special occasion, we suggest wearing this strapless tulle ensemble from Nordstrom. The frothy tulle and strapless sweetheart neckline are princessy but elegant and the lilac color and floral pattern are dainty and romantic. You’ll certainly turn heads with this non-traditional formal getup.
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Best For Vacation
Okay, so this dress from Anthropologie doesn’t have a floral pattern but is actually embellished with flowers. But it’s close enough in our opinion. Especially since this Mahila dress looks made for vacation with its golden bedazzled sunflower ornaments and pullover style (so you grab and wear it on the go).
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Best For Maternity Wear
A cream-colored floral maxi maternity gown with a squared neckline, empire waist, and opaque puff sleeves? It’s giving Bridgerton meets country living. Wear this bb casually or for a special event like a baby shower—it’s understated and classic enough to pair nicely with any popular aesthetic or style.
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