Style

42 Best Spring Dresses to Kick Off the Season in Style


In with the new!
best spring dresses  PARIS FRANCE  MARCH 07 A guest wears long white dress with flowers and sunglasses outside...
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Temperatures are rising and days are getting longer—so it’s (finally!) time to break out your best spring dresses for the sunnier months ahead. If you’re ready to break up with your down coats and heavy boots, you’ve come to the right place for a little wardrobe refresh. The Glamour team has been hard at work hunting down the most covetable new arrivals, all while keeping spring’s emerging trends and busy social calendars top of mind.

Spring’s runways were filled with goddess-worthy draping and crisp, sculptural shapes—and our edit has plenty of both. We’ve also included the specific dress trends we’ve been noticing everywhere, such as shirred designs and of-the-moment colors like tomato red, pastel blue, and verdant green. After what’s felt like an endless winter, these cute spring dresses are exactly what you need to clear the clouds away. Treat yourself to a few of our editors’ wish list picks below.

The best spring dresses, at a glance

The Amazon Gem
Belle Poque Floral Dress
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The Flirty Mini
Intimately In This Groove Mini Slip
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The Brunch-Ready Stunner
Dôen Rhodia Dress
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The Park-Day Midi
Cider Gingham Midi-Dress
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The Work Dress
Boden Ellie Maxi Shirt Dress
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Best floral spring dresses

As the first buds start to appear, you can’t go wrong with a floral dress for this time of year. Ditzy or dramatic, this nature-inspired print makes almost any silhouette or color palette feel seasonally appropriate. A long, romantic number is perfectly suited for an outdoor party; for date night, you’ll want something short and flirty. And for brunch? A colorful tie-back dress is always up for the job.

Free People Morning Meadows Dress
Courtesy of brand

Free People Morning Meadows Dress

Dôen Rhodia Dress
Courtesy of brand

Dôen Rhodia Dress

H&M Cotton Poplin Midi Dress
Courtesy of brand

H&M Cotton Poplin Midi Dress

Belle Poque Floral Dress
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Belle Poque Floral Dress

Lulus Jane Organza & Chiffon Maxi Cocktail Dress
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Lulus Jane Cocktail Dress

Hill House Home The Matilda Dress
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Hill House Home Matilda Dress

Best short spring dresses

Because minidresses offer less coverage, you’ll need to put a little thought into styling them in early spring when it’s freezing in the morning but surprisingly balmy after lunch. That said, not much extra effort is needed: Just cover up with a cozy cardigan and knee-high boots until the weather becomes more agreeable. By the time May comes around all you’ll need are a light jacket and some heeled sandals.

Zara ZW Collection Asymmetric Mini Dress
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Zara ZW Collection Asymmetric Mini Dress

Intimately In This Groove Mini Slip
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Intimately In This Groove Mini Slip

Faithfull Maria Shirred Cotton Mini Dress
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Faithfull the Brand Maria Dress

Tuckernuck Blue Harper Mini Dress
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Posse Harper Minidress

Steve Madden Amari Ruched Bubble Hem Mini Dress
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Abercrombie & Fitch Angel Sleeve Sheer Mini Dress
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Abercrombie & Fitch Angel Sleeve Sheer Mini Dress

Best spring midi-dresses

The cut of a midi is well-suited to finicky transitional weather: long enough to shield against surprise cold fronts but still able to catch a warm afternoon breeze. Plus, they’re a foolproof wedding pick for casual and cocktail ceremonies, considering they’re easy to sit in, will show off your shoes, and won’t drag over the lawn (a key consideration at outdoor gatherings).

Cider Gingham Sleeveless Spaghetti Strap Midi Dress
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Cider Gingham Midi-Dress

House of CB Carmen Bustier Sundress
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House of CB Carmen Bustier Sundress

Lauren Ralph Lauren Striped Cotton Midi Dress
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Lauren Ralph Lauren Striped Cotton Midi Dress

Rixo Clarice Dress
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Rixo Clarice Dress

Old Navy Short-Sleeve Fit & Flare Midi-Dress
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Old Navy Short-Sleeve Fit & Flare Midi-Dress

Boden Tamsin Jersey Midi-Dress
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Boden Tamsin Jersey Midi-Dress

Best spring maxidresses

In the earlier days of spring, a simple way to deal with brisk temperature swings is by way of long, leg-covering dresses in lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen—with tights hidden underneath. If you’re still cold, it’s no trouble to throw on a spring jacket over your pick; you can always peel it off when the sun decides to come out. Practical and polished—who doesn’t want that?

Farm Rio Floral Delight Maxidress
Courtesy of brand

Farm Rio Floral Delight Maxidress

Aritzia Wilfred Technique Linen Dress
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Wilfred Technique Linen Dress

Abercrombie & Fitch Open-Back Hardware Maxi Dress
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Abercrombie & Fitch Open-Back Hardware Maxidress

Faithfull Saja Tie-Detailed Ruched Cotton Maxi Dress
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Faithfull Saja Maxidress

Zara Plaid Shirt Dress
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Zara Plaid Shirt Dress

Boden Ellie Maxi Shirt Dress
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Boden Ellie Maxi Shirt Dress

Best spring dresses with sleeves

Because most March and April days aren’t quite warm enough for an off-the-shoulder or strapless gown, you’ll need to keep a few dresses with sleeves within reach. (A little extra coverage is never a bad thing, either, since it’s great for work-friendly looks.) Tip: It’s good to have a few different sleeve lengths in your closet for those weeks when the forecast is extra unpredictable, and our favorites run the gamut from short to extra-long.

Boden V-Neck Blouson Sleeve Dress
Courtesy of brand

Boden V-Neck Blouson Sleeve Dress

Tuckernuck Ink Jaal Mia Dress
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Pink City Prints Mia Dress

Wilfred Apostrophe Dress
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Wilfred Apostrophe Dress

Dôen Ashlynn Dress
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Dôen Ashlynn Dress

J.Crew Lace Dress
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Madewell Sculptural-Sleeve Pleated Minidress
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Madewell Sculptural-Sleeve Pleated Minidress

Best spring wedding guest dresses

The key to finding the perfect spring wedding guest dress is looking for something both elevated and true to your sense of style. Like to show off your body? A silky slip dress with an open back is ideal. Prefer something more ladylike? A midi with a trendy polka-dot print plays right into the vibe. With the right styling, each of these can flex across dress codes: Just throw on dainty jewelry, slingbacks, and an itty-bitty bag (and keep a fitted jacket on hand in case you get chilly).

Meshki Lorde Dress
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Meshki Lorde Dress

H&M Draped One-Shoulder Dress
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H&M Draped One-Shoulder Dress

Staud Phare One-Shoulder Stretch Silk Midi Dress
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Staud Phare Midi-Dress

Mango Midi Printed Dress
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Mango Midi Printed Dress

Alemais Contina Maxi Day Dress
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Alémais Contina Maxidress

Reformation Jeany Silk Charmeuse Halter Dress
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Reformation Jeany Silk Charmeuse Halter Dress

Best spring dresses for work

When you’re out of office outfit ideas, reach for these one-and-done designs. You’ll have a ready-to-go look without even trying. All of these dresses would play nicely with a blazer or a light sweater but are also polished enough to wear on their own. All you need now is a trusty pair of leather loafers or ballet flats—and, naturally, a big cup of coffee to power you through the day.

Ann Taylor Pintuck Flare Midi-Dress
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Ann Taylor Pintuck Flare Midi-Dress

Hobemty Sleeveless Office Work Dress
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Hobemty Sleeveless Office Work Dress

COS Pintucked Cotton Midi Dress
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COS Pintucked Cotton Midi Dress

Lauren Ralph Lauren Linen Tie-Front Shirtdress
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Lauren Ralph Lauren Linen Tie-Front Shirtdress

Reiss Ania Belted Pleated Maxi Dress
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Reiss Ania Belted Pleated Maxi Dress

Aligne Harley Sleeveless Waistcoat Dress
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Aligne Harley Sleeveless Waistcoat Dress