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.
RRP: $225 / £145 | Ideal if you're stuck on what to wear to a wedding, the tie waist, button detailing and bias cut silhouette give this dress an elegant finish. In a neutral, rust red this dress taps into the fashion color trends 2023 that has seen a greater shift towards neutral hues, while the jewel tone keeps things polished, catching the light as you move.
RRP: $170 / £99 | The best midi dresses are utterly versatile and this couldn't be more true than when it comes to this design. With a cowl V-neckline for a flattering fit across the bust, the print makes this a show stopper. The tailored silhouette allows you to pair this with your best blazer for the office or dress it up with bright heels for an occasion.
RRP: $275 / £215 | One of the best pink dresses, this 100% cotton poplin dress is ideal for the summer. The ruched waist, cuffed puffed sleeves and flattering V-neckline help to add structure and definition to this floaty frock and accentuate an hourglass body shape. The full skirt and gathered waistline also make this one of the most stylish dresses to hide a tummy.
RRP: $250 / £140 | Sustainably sourced, the delicate fabric and pastel color renders this dress wedding-ready. The ruffled bodice and pleated skirt make it one of the best midi dresses for a wedding, or one of the best bridesmaid dresses for the big day. The fabric belt helps to accentuate a waist, while the ruffled shoulder detail offers light upper arm coverage.
RRP: $148 / £140 | If you're still wondering, what is boho style? Look no further than Free People to channel this look. With a bust-flattering square neckline and romantic puff sleeves, this sweet floral dress offers a pretty and floaty silhouette, ideal for warmer weather. The scattered print adds a pop of brightness and ensures this summer frock will always be in style.
RRP: $34.99 / £29.99 | One of the big denim trends 2023, jean dresses have made a welcome return to the runways and our wardrobes. Available up to a size 4XL this is one of the best plus size dresses to shop for casual ensembles as we move between seasons. With just a few buttons at the front, the relaxed shape adds to the comfort and laid back feeling of this denim design. Pairable with leggings or tights too.
RRP: $99.99 / £59.99 | In a beautiful bottle green, this flattering shirt dress features a front ruffle that will instantly elongate your frame. The chic round neck plus long sleeve is ideal for office attire and will pair well with your best camel coat to see out the winter season in style. Add gold jewelry to complete the look.
RRP: $160 / £110 | The best midi dresses work for all occasions and this gorgeous jersey print dress is one that can be easily styled up for the offer, or for an evening out with friend. Team with opaque tights and heeled boots for an elegant AM to PM ensemble, or lean into the boho feel and add a shearling gilet.
RRP: $69.90 / £49.99 | Spanish clothing brand Zara, never disappoints when it comes to the best midi dresses. This gorgeous leopard print dress has a wonderfully vintage feel, giving a nod to '70s boho style. Add one of the best designer belts to add definition to your frame and make this dress your own.
RRP: $950 / £825 | Australian clothing brand Zimmermann makes some of the best midi dresses and this romantic floral shirt dress with full sleeves is ideal if you're looking for one of the best wedding guest dresses. Perfectly pretty in pastel hues, pair this dress with a flesh tone court shoe or a simple sandal.
RRP: $139 / £110 | With throw-on-and-go appeal, this rib knit iteration is ideal for every day. One of the best pink dresses, it has a fairly relaxed fit, although due to the fabric it will hug your curves. With a directional full sleeve, for a trendy twist, the dress also has a slit, making it ideal for pairing with boots.
RRP: $285 / £255 | Flattering on an hourglass figure, this boldly printed dress with gathered waist is a great new season statement piece. The clever placement of the print draws your eye in and down the silhouette for a figure flattering finish, while the bold color palette is sure to add cheer to any day.
RRP: $589 / £375 | Get ready for a summer of parties with Needle & Thread's Araminta dress. Featuring embroidery across the bodice and sheer floaty sleeves, this tulle dress oozes romance and elegance. A great choice for a bridesmaid dress, or one of the best rehearsal dinner dresses for brides to be.
RRP: $475 / £306 | With a vintage-inspired look, this poplin dress has puff sleeves, a high ruched waist and a ruffle collar, offering a romantic look that skims a midriff and flatters all figures. Whilst the micro floral print is subtle, the added color elevates the dark base of the dress and makes it wearable in cooler months.
RRP: $279 / £139 | One of the best jumper dresses, this striped crew neck sweater dress is a great piece to slot into a minimalist capsule wardrobe. Pairable with everything from your best knee high boots to leggings and trainers, this is a versatile piece that will keep you warm through the tail end of winter and into spring.
RRP: $87 / £47 | A striped dress but not as you know it, the asymmetric pattern gives this midi dress hourglass creating properties, thanks to cleverly placed angles. The bold monochromatic print will pair well with a black blazer and heels for striking office attire, or with sleek black boots for date night.
RRP: $995 / £595 | Reflecting the best shirt dresses this luxe leather dress is an investment piece that you can enjoy for years to come. The belted style is great for creating a waistline, while the pockets tap into current utilitarian trends. A great look for any over 50s capsule wardrobe, it delivers elegance with an edge.
RRP: $385 / £228 | Tapping into Pantone's Color of the Year 2023 - Viva Magenta, this long sleeve dress feels directional yet timeless. The long sleeve is ideal for current weather conditions, taking you right through spring, while the faux wrap detail cinches your waist, creating a gentle hourglass silhouette.
What are midi dresses and why are they so popular
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.
What are the most popular midi dress styles
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.
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