Best midi dresses for women that will look stylish for every occasion

Versatile and chic, these are the best midi dresses to see you through the season in style

three of the best midi dresses
(Image credit: Reiss / Zara / Boden)

The best midi dresses are hands-down one of the hardest working wardrobe pieces you will ever own. With a throw-on-and-go appeal, a midi dress needs minimal styling making it perfect for everything from those busy mornings and nothing-to-wear days, to important summer occasions.

Flattering and oh-so-stylish, midi dresses have serious day-to-night wearability. Comfy enough to lounge around in yet smart enough to be dressed up for the evening, the best midi dresses will work for a huge range of occasions. Not too long and not too short, a midi dress flatters all figures sitting neatly between your knees and ankles. A stylish length that always feels appropriate. A winning silhouette, while there are numerous trend-led iterations on the market right now, stick to classic prints and colors such as florals and polka dots, and your midi frock is guaranteed to never go out of style.

Make your midi dress one of the best dresses in your wardrobe and make them work all year through. Dresses with shorter sleeves can be layered over a fine roll-neck or add a stylish sweater vest for extra warmth in winter. When it comes to your footwear, there isn’t a pair of shoes that won’t go with your midi dresses, toughen up feminine frocks with boots or add a sporty spin with trainers. Not forgetting to swap to some killer heels for the evening. 

Best midi dresses chosen by fashion experts

With a plethora of midi dresses on the market, we’ve rounded up our favorite and most flattering styles that you can buy now and love forever.

The midi dresses popularity is in part down to its extreme versatility that is unrivalled by other wardrobe items.

“Our fashion habits have certainly changed over the couple of past years with eco-conscious shoppers looking to invest in wardrobe staples that can work for the office and the weekend and this is where the midi dress really excels,” says Paula Moore, Fashion Director at woman&home. 

Not as short as a mini or as long as a maxi, a midi dress hits that sweet spot in-between - falling just below the knee and above the ankle.

“The midi length is universally flattering, making it a hugely popular choice. Where a midi dress might overwhelm a petite frame or a mini dress feel too short on a taller frame, the midi dress is the perfect compromise for both figures,” says Moore.

Midi dresses come in many iterations making it easy to find a style to suit you. 

Wrap: The wrap dress is classic thanks to its universally flattering silhouette. With a v-neckline and a tie-waist to cinch you in, it’s feminine and flirty and a stylish choice for date night.

Shirt: Give boyish tailoring a feminine flair with the best shirt dresses. All the polish of a shirt but with the ease of a dress, a shirt dress is a perfect choice for your 9-5. The best part? Add trainers and you’ve got a sleek weekend look too.

Trapeze: As well as being one of the best dresses to hide a tummy, a trapeze dress has that laid-back aesthetic that makes it easy to wear every day, whether you’re working from home or running errands. “With comfort being key this past year, the trapeze silhouette has certainly risen up the fashion ranks. It has an oversized, relaxed fit that simply hangs from the bust down so there’s no restricting waistband,” says Moore.

Smock: Smocked dresses are a popular choice for the fuss-free summer style. With a square neckline and a flowy skirt, they ooze romance especially when paired with picnic prints and pastel hues.

Knitted: Want to stay cozy but smart too? Enter the knitted dress. From oversized fits to bodycon, the knitted midi dress is your winter best friend. Team with heeled boots to take it from the boardroom to the bar.

Slip: The '90s slip dress came back with a bang a few seasons ago and it’s still going strong. As well as being a summer staple, once you learn how to style a slip dress, you'll realize this strappy dress can be layered over a fine roll neck during the colder months, as well as over t-shirts in the summer, making it super versatile. 

Rivkie Baum
Fashion channel editor

Rivkie is a fashion editor, writer and stylist with over fifteen years' experience in the industry. Having studied design and pattern cutting at the London College of Fashion, Rivkie fell in love with styling and journalism, covering fashion weeks in London, Paris and New York. 


Specialising in plus size fashion, Rivkie has long championed that style is for everyBODY and has been a regular talking head on a host of radio stations and television shows, pushing for greater representation for plus size women and fashion throughout her career. 

With contributions from