Let's be honest, whether we have rain or shine, whatever the occasion, a floral dress is a must for your wardrobe. As the shops are starting to drop the spring collections, I've kept this edit spring-like but with a transitional twist. All of the dresses in this edit can be worn now but also as the temperature starts to rise.
Before you think of a floral dress being cliche (florals for spring? Groundbreaking!), florals are anything but. From big blooms to ditsy florals, there's a type of flower print to suit your aesthetic - trust me, I've searched the high street and there's floral dresses in abundance.
© Getty Images- Floral mini dress: H&M floral mini dress with bubble hem, £32.99 / $39.99
- Floral maxi dress: Boden floral 'Bella' maxi dress, £126 / $190
- Floral wedding guest dress: River Island floral maxi dress, £180 / $148
- Plus-size floral dress: Karen Millen green ombre floral dress, £137.40 / $194.50
- Black floral dress: Nadine Merabi 'Cindy' floral trim dress, £338 / $450
Celebrities love their florals, too! Jennifer Aniston created headines when she stepped out in a floral Reformation dress, giving us all the spring inspiration we need.
© Getty ImagesHow to style a floral dress for spring
When it comes to styling a floral dress, I reached out to Fashion Editor / Stylist Antonia Kraskowski for her top tips. Here's the stellar advice she gave me for styling a floral dress and not looking frumpy...
- Accessories: "One of the easiest ways to make your favourite floral dress feel fresh is changing up your accessories. Add statement gold jewellery, chunky soled shoes - or a pair of mid-heel sandals for a special occasion - and an oversized scrunchie in your hair for a Scandi girl inspired look."
- The rule of two: "If you’re heading to a wedding and want a sophisticated take on matchy-matchy, try picking out hues from your dress to form the basis for your accessories and outerwear. Stick to a maximum of two colours to keep the look cohesive."
- Opposites attract: "Want to toughen up those dainty ditsy prints? Add your favourite black leather jacket for a dash of timeless cool girl style."
- Go wild: "Don’t be afraid to think out of the box when it comes to styling up your dress – add a leopard print cardigan over your floral dress or polka dot pumps for a spot of cool clashing."
- Casual kicks: "Colourful trainers are a HUGE trend right now – add a pair of bright Adidas trainers to your favourite floral dress for a new take on relaxed weekend wear."
© Getty ImagesHow we chose the best floral dresses
- Price: I've searched high and low for floral dresses to match all budgets
- Variety: You might be after a floral maxi dress or a mini dress or just a casual dress to wear for work. I tried to mix up the edit to cater for more people. There's also plus size options in the mix, too.
- Trusted brands: All the brands I've chosen are trusted brands I, or members of the HELLO! team, swear by; we've not tried on all of the products but the brands are some of our favourites, so quality should be high.
The best floral dresses to shop right now
1/13
Boden Bella Puff Sleeve Maxi Floral Dress
© Boden- Colour: Salmon pink/carnation vine
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 4 - 22
Editor's Note:
A printed maxi dress is a must for your vacation wardrobe. This dress is a masterclass in how to look (and be) cool on hot days. The flattering puff-sleeve design is a must.
2/13
Phase Eight Clarra Floral Dress
© Phase Eight- Colour: Purple
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 06 - 26
Editor's Note:
This dress is stunning!
Designed with a purple floral print, the Clarra dress features feminine blouson sleeves and ruffle detailing at the hem add subtle dimension to the contemporary shirt silhouette. Co-ordinate with brown accessories for a look that’s perfect for brunch, work or evenings out.
3/13
M&S Collection Printed V-Neck Lace Insert Floral Midaxi Tea Dress
© Marks & Spencer- Colour: Blue mix
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 6 - 24
Editor's Note:
This risquè tea dress is perfect for warmer weather. The pure cotton dress is a lightweight and breathable choice for smart occasions. It's cut in a regular fit with a floaty midaxi-length skirt, v-neckline and three-quarter sleeves.
4/13
ASOS x Topshop Floral Maxi Dress
© ASOS- Colour: Monochrome
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 4 - 18
Editor's Note:
This Topshop maxi dress is giving serious fashionista vibes, don't you think? The cowl neck design will be super flattering and I'd personally style with a chic black grab bag.
5/13
H&M Floral Bubble Hem Mini Dress
© H&M- Colour: Black/Cream
- Sizes: Available in XS - XXL
Editor's Note:
If you're on the hunt for a chic floral mini dress, I've found just the thing from H&M. This is one of those dresses you can wear casually with boots or dressy with a pointy stiletto.
6/13
River Island Pink Premium Floral Sleeveless Maxi Dress
© River Island- Colour: Pink
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 6 - 18
Editor's Note:
This floral dress would look great with heels for a wedding. This chic high-street dress is giving A-list vibes, don't you think?
7/13
Mint Velvet Neutral Floral Print Midi Dress
© Mint Velvet- Colour: Taupe/red
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 6 - 18
Editor's Note:
Mint Velvet has created this stunning taupe and red floral print dress in a ladylike midi silhouette. This dress could be worn at the office or for a special occasion, it would all depend on how you style it.
8/13
Karen Millen Green Floral Ombre Maxi Dress
© Karen Millen- Colour: Green
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 6 - 16 also available in plus size
Editor's Note:
A floral occasion dress is always a winner, and I love Karen Millen's floral ombre dress for its timeless and stylish vibe. Add a simple clutch bag and you're ready for any occasion.
9/13
LK Bennett Jem Desert Rose & Rio Red Wildflower Tea Dress
© LK Bennett- Colour: Pink/red
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 6 - 20
Editor's Note:
This flower-powered tea dress would make a great wedding guest dress. The Jem wildflower tea dress offers elegance with its fit and flare midi design, crafted from pink hammered satin viscose. It pairs beautifully with strappy heels and a delicate clutch bag.
10/13
Wyse London Floral Samara Dress
© Wyse London- Colour: Pink
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 6 - 18
Editor's Note:
Embrace your femininity with this super sweet candy pink floral dress, patterned with a playful pretty print that's timeless.
11/13
Rixo Debra Midi Floral Dress
© Rixo- Colour: Margaux Black
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 6 - 26
Editor's Note:
Rixo, we do not deserve you! This dress, isn't it just beautiful? The Debra dress is an iconic RIXO style, and has a signature vintage feel. The shape is loose and easy, with fluted sleeves and a bias-cut skirt. Wear with oversized earrings and be the best dressed in the room.
12/13
Needle & Thread Hydrangea Ruffle Ballerina Dress
© Needle & Thread- Colour: Multi
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 4 - 22
Editor's Note:
How stunning is this Needle & Thread dress? The hydrangea ruffle ballerina dress has been taken from the archive, this hand-painted artwork from the early 1900s depicts blooms of hydrangea flowers and smaller trailing florals, all rendered with a soft watercolour feel. This gorgeous dress is adorned with elegant tulle ruffles and layers of delicate tulle.
13/13
Nadine Merabi Cindy Black Dress
© Nadine Merabi- Colour: Black (also available in white, pink, and monochrome)
- Sizes: Available in sizes XS - XXL
Editor's Note:
A slightly different take on the 'floral dress' trend - this one is actually adorned with flowers! The Cindy dress is a timeless classic crafted from black crepe fabric with large floral appliqués across the front and back of the square neckline. The flowers feature faux pearl and gold-look detailing at the centre.
Why you should trust me
I have loved floral dresses for years! In fact, my favourite has to be this shirt dress from Zara. I love that I can dress it down for a holiday with flat shoes or dress it up with a pair of heels. It's also fun to accessorise with - I tend to pick out the boldest shade from a floral dress and just go wild with it. Here's a photo of me twirling while on holiday.
Meet the expert
© Antonia KraskowskiAntonia Kraskowski is a freelance Fashion Editor & Stylist with over 18 years of experience in the industry. Having worked for titles including Easy Living, Glamour and Vogue New Markets, Antonia went on to work in the fast-paced world of newspapers and weekly magazines, becoming Fashion Editor at Express Newspapers and Magazines, a role she held for five years before going freelance. Her career has seen Antonia travel the world, shooting across the globe, styling campaigns for brands ranging from Ben Sherman and DKNY to Wallis.
