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

composite of three models wearing the best midi dresses from Boden/Net a Porter/Karen Millen
(Image credit: Boden/Net a Porter/Karen Millen)

No wardrobe is complete without the best midi dresses. No matter your personal style, the perfect midi dress will see you through all seasons and occasions effortlessly. 

One of the best dresses you can invest in, there is nothing the midi dress can't do. With day-to-night wearability, long-lasting comfort, and a cohesive and sophisticated look, it is a true fashion favorite. Not too long, but not too short, midi dresses are universally flattering sitting neatly between your knees and ankles - a stylish length that always feels appropriate. We can't ever see midi dresses going out of style, so whether you invest in a trend-led design or stick to something more classic, you are guaranteed to get your money's worth with this purchase.

Many of this season's best summer dresses fall at a midi length, and there are few better pieces for sunny weather. Light enough to keep you cool but without showing too much skin, there isn't anyone we wouldn't recommend a midi dress too. When fall rolls back around, they can even be layered with a chunky knit and boots. Look no further for the best midi dresses on the market right now, with options to suit every budget. 

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. Some of the most popular styles include:

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. 

Charlie Bell

Charlie is the Deputy Fashion Editor at Future plc across multiple women’s magazines including Woman & Home, Woman and Woman's Own.


She bagged her first magazine job in 2009 and has previously written for titles including Stylist, Closer and Dare. Over the years Charlie has embraced anything that was thrown at her from styling celebrities to testing out the best jeans on the high street to writing about must-have beauty buys.


With a weakness for a printed midi dress, Charlie is on a mission to shop more sustainably and loves finding new ethical brands and second-hand buys.

With contributions from