Best midi dresses for women that will look stylish for every occasion
January 2, 2022/
The best midi dresses for women 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 those busy mornings and nothing-to-wear days.
Flattering and oh-so-stylish, a midi dress has 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 any occasion thrown at it. Not too long and not too short, a midi dress flatters all figures sitting neatly between your knees and ankles, offering the perfect opportunity to show off your best winter boots too.
It’s our belief that every capsule wardrobe needs a midi dress—or several—and if you stick to classic prints and colors such as florals and polka dots, these dresses are guaranteed to never go out of style. “Our fashion habits have certainly changed over the past year 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.
A midi dress can be an all-year-round staple too. Opt for shorter sleeves in the summer and layer over a fine roll-neck during a cold spell or add a stylish sweater vest for extra warmth. When it comes to your footwear you can toughen up the feminine frock with stompy boots or add a sporty spin with the best white trainers. Not forgetting swapping for some killer heels for the evening. There isn’t a pair of shoes that won’t go with your midi dresses.
Best midi dresses chosen by fashion experts
With a plethora of midi dresses on the market, we’ve rounded up our favourite and most flattering styles that you can buy now and love forever.
RRP: $34.99/£24.99 | With its floaty silhouette, this breezy dress is as comfy as wearing your favourite joggers but way more chic. Leopard print is forever on-trend and the puff-sleeves and wide cuffs gives this one extra style kudos.
RRP: $79.99/£49.99 | Knitwear, but make it polished, this cream dress oozes elegance. It’s all in the details with the vintage-inspired square neck to the statement buttoning fastening for added interest and extra movement. Team with tan accessories.
RRP: $275/£179 | The silk-blend fabric gives this frock an extra luxe feel, making it a go-to for evening parties and dinner dates. Wear on its own with barely there sandals or for a more casual spin, layer over a simple black t-shirt.
Madewell V-Neck Puff Sleeve Midi Dress in Croftwood Plaid
RRP: $125/£122 | This epitomises everything we love about the midi and it’s effortless dressing. A classic check print, a flattering v-neckline and seersucker cotton, it ticks all the boxes. Plus, there’s pockets too!
RRP: $319/£159 | If you’re stuck for Christmas party dress ideas, let us introduce this stellar number. With a subtle star print and a classic shirt design, it has polish with extra pizazz. The empire-line seam creates a flattering fit that’s perfect for daylight to disco. Just add a pair of sleek mules.
RRP: $119/£79.99 | Zara is a one-stop shop for dreamy midi dresses and this boho-style beauty has really caught our eye. It has a round collar with an adjustable drawstring v-neckline so you can wear it to suit you. Add a belt if you want to streamline your shape or leave it loose for a relaxed fit.
RRP: $445/£250 | One of the best British Clothing brands, Ted Baker have hit the mark with this stunning wrap dress. The abstract print makes it a real showstopper whilst the built-in-belt pulls you in for a flattering fit on the waist. Team with classic courts and let the dress do the hard work.
RRP: $320/£275 | For unique and attention-grabbing prints, Rixo is a fave amongst the fashion elite. This bold floral print midi dress will see you through all the seasons, adding a pop of color to the greyest of days. Just add barely-there sandals.
Reformation + Net Sustain Cello Shirred Crepe Midi Dress
RRP: $280/£285 | A smock dress may be a warm-weather fave but team this beauty with some chunky boots and a cable-knit cardi and you can wear it in winter too. The shirred bodice and floaty skirt will flatter all figures.
RRP: $129/£95 | Inject some 90s nostalgia to your wardrobe with this tie-dye midi dress. Featuring a turtleneck and long sleeves it has a fitted top that gentle flares out at the skirt. Keep it casual and wear with some retro dad trainers.
RRP: $160/£110 | Another easygoing dress you can throw on during those rushed mornings, this delightful frock from Boden has a boho-inspired tiered skirt that drapes effortlessly over your figure. We love the embroidery around the neckline and cuffs too.
RRP: $125/£85 | With the relaxed feel of a t-shirt but a luxe satin texture, this is the perfect dress-up or dress-down frock. The satin is derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp fibres giving it eco-credentials too. Add delicate gold jewellery and sparkly shoes for the evening.
Marks & Spencer Polka Dot Collared Midi Shirt Dress
RRP: $77.50/£45 | Not only are Marks and Spencer dresses budget-friendly but they really pack a punch too. This polka dot midi dress will forever be in your wardrobe rotation. The statement frilly collar and gently puffed sleeves gives it a fashion-forward finish.
RRP: $395/£305 | Much like the best jeans, a denim dress is a wardrobe staple that can be worn round-the-clock. This is tailored through the waist with a flared skirt and gathered shoulders for a high-end finish. Crafted from lightweight denim it’ll work in the summer too.
RRP: $108/£88 | Forget the LBD, it’s all about the midi black dress and this dress certainly lives up to its carefree name. Cut to a flattering wrap silhouette it has exaggerated sleeves for a modern update and a curved hem for extra coverage on the back.
What are midi dresses and why are they so popular
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 Paula.
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 the 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 everyday, 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 Paula.
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 cosy 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 boardroom to 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, the strappy dress can be layered over a fine roll neck during the colder months, making it super versatile.
Gallery: 29 Fashion Trends From the ’00s That Play on Slow Loop In Your Nightmares (Woman&Home)
29 Fashion Trends From the ’00s That Play on Slow Loop In Your Nightmares
I love a good throwback photo, no matter how cringeworthy my poses or outfits. In hindsight, the fashion of the early ’00s took a toll on us all, and some of the trends we swore by, from Juicy Couture tracksuits to True Religion jeans, have slowly faded over time. (Though if you follow the runways, then you know truly no garment from the past remains in the past.) For fun, let’s revisit some of the crazy but great trends (or so we thought at the time) we wore or begged our moms to let us wear in the early 2000s. After checking out the looks ahead, you may just call mom to ask if she kept any of your fashion relics from the early aughts.
The Chloé Paddington
There were many It bags of the 2000s, but the Chloé Paddington was the first It bag my 13-year-old self ever wanted, but never got. It seemed like everyone owned this style, from Michelle Trachtenberg, pictured here at an event in 2005, to Halle Berry and Nicky Hilton. And if you lived in NYC around that time, there were also plenty of Paddington counterfeits on the streets—not that my mom ever bought me one of those either, but I digress.
Capris
You definitely owned at least one pair of capri jeans to match with your lace tank tops—and the jeans looked like Leighton Meester’s. Bonus points if the bottoms were low risers too. The 2006 me would have fawned over this Gossip Girl’s outfit.
White Tank Tops
The term “wife-beater” used to describe these ribbed tank tops has thankfully fallen out of use, but the style is still around to this day. You may recall the shirt having been re-popularized by Ryan Atwood in The O.C.
Stretchy, Ruched Tops and Dresses
In hindsight, who doesn’t want a bit of stretch in their clothes? This stretchy, ruched design was everywhere in the early aughts and was incorporated into tops and dresses, like the one Blake Lively wore in 2005 to the Teen Choice Awards.
Bedazzle Jeans
No matter what kind of jeans you had, from low risers to capris, there was probably one pair that had rhinestones, crystals, or some other embellishment stitched on to it. The most annoying part? When one of these jewels inevitably fell off and left an empty space.
Dresses Over Jeans
Kelly Clarkson was on to something here when she wore a dress over jeans in 2002. Sadly, she missed the style mark with her loud accessories and the type of dress and jean pairing.
Skinny Scarves
Skinny scarves were worn by everyone, regardless of gender. Here, Orlando Bloom diligently rocked the accessory with a blazer and jeans at the premiere of Beyond the Sea in 2004.
Wide Belts
No top or dress was complete in the early ’00s without the addition of a large wide belt. They came in shiny plastic options, woven patterns, and everything in between. The style was even good enough for the red carpet, as evidenced by Kim, who rocked hers at the Rock & Republic preview party.
Pocketless Jeans
Unfortunately, I was an adopter of this trend and had several pairs of pocketless jeans. Though unlike Christina Milian at the Crossroads premiere in 2002, I skipped the visible thong mania. Thankfully, both trends have faded out over the years and now I can happily stick my iPhone or lip balm into the back pockets of my jeans if I needed to.
Von Dutch Hats
Whether you were a Von Dutch and/or Ed Hardy person, these brands defined the glorious aughts. You had at least a Von Dutch trucker hat, or tried to convince your mom to get you one, and wanted to own everything from its pinstriped shirts to tees. Though the hats have faded out since it peaked in 2003, Kylie Jenner was spotted in the accessory in 2016, giving hope (fear?) to some that Von Dutch might make a comeback.
Long Tunics Over Jeans
Longer than a regular top but shorter than a dress, the long tunic is a lewk everyone knows. Back then, you usually wore a tunic with leggings or jeans, in Mischa Barton’s case. She didn’t know it then, but she dressed down in the most 2000’s outfit ever at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
Tube Tops
If you didn’t spend your time tugging up your tube top or worrying they’d slide down in 2002, what were you doing? This piece was the perfect way to flash your belly-button ring or show off your shoulders and collarbones.
Leggings as Pants
Remember the whole “are leggings pants?” debate. Ask anyone in 2005, like Sienna Miller, and they will say yes. From It girls like her to the girls in your high school, leggings were the universal comfy, booty-hugging bottoms to wear with everything from tunics to crop tops. Leggings are still part of our everyday wardrobes.
UGGs
UGG boots have managed to survive the early aughts (back when they were worn with miniskirts, the horror) and are now a key part to anyone’s dressed down look. This throwback image of Bey from 2004 defined how seasonally confusing we must have all looked with our UGG boots and skirts. Never again.
Chunky Necklaces
Did anyone else spend hours trying to untangle their long beaded necklaces? The accessory style was sold everywhere from your neighborhood store, Strawberry, to Claire’s and American Eagle. Lauren Conrad even wore hers on MTV’s TRL (#RIP) with a tank top and capris for the pinnacle outfit of 2005.
Capris
Speaking of capris, Riri also took a liking to the trend, wearing her low-rise denim bottoms in 2005 while posing backstage during a MTV Networks Tempo Channel launch event. She styled hers with strappy pumps and a sequined vest blazer—a look we probably will never see on her again.
Juicy Couture Tracksuits
Juicy Couture, the brand made famous by celebs like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, debuted in the spring of 2001. If you owned Juicy separates, you were basically part of the in-crowd and it was a pretty fun time. Eventually, like all trendy things, people moved on from the Juicy suits look to the athelsiure you know today (hello, Bandier). However, if you’re nostalgic for Juicy, you can still shop the brand online.
Boho Vibes
Maybe you weren’t the name plate belt type, maybe you loved these boho-meets-western coin belts instead. You wore them low on the hips with jeans or flowy maxi skirts. This was definitely a cool look back then, since even Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen wore them in 2002.
True Religion
As The Black Eyed Peas once said, “They say they love mah a** in/Seven jeans/True Religion…” Like the Juicy tracksuit, owning a pair of True Religion jeans in the earl 2000’s were a cool-girl symbol. And you could tell when a pair was from TR. The bottoms were defined by the horseshoe stitching on the back pockets and the laughing Buddha label.
Tank Tops Over Another Shirt
If you owned a lace cami in 2004, you were probably layering it over a t-shirt or another shirt like Alyson Michalka’s. It was a relatively easy look, achievable with any colored camisoles (I had a rainbow of colors that I wore under my one hoodie). These days, the cami style is still around, though now I opt for silk or satin pieces.
Tiered Miniskirts
Your school might have had a dress code, so short tiered skirts like this were a no-no, but on the weekends? All rules were out the window. The tiered miniskirt was often worn with a camisole or white tank top, which made you feel like the coolest kid on the block.
Halterneck Everything
Raise your hand if you owned a halter-neck top or dress during this era. The style was seemingly everywhere and even Michelle Trachtenberg hopped on board with the design, wearing this halter-neck yellow minidress to the premiere of Eurotrip.
Livestrong Bracelets
One way to rep your favorite causes in 2004 was wearing a one-size-fits-all silicon bracelet from the organization. (You’ll recognize the ubiquitous yellow Livestrong ones). Both the athlete for which the bracelet was named after and its other silicon cause bracelets have fallen from popularity as time passed. It’s no longer cool to simply rep a cause just for the sake of looking fashion.
Pashminas
Everyone and their grandmothers loved a good pashmina in 2000. It was a scarf, a shawl, a blanket for your legs on the airplane. They came in all colors and were made of cashmere wool or in some cases, just plain ol’ polyester. Jennifer Lopez wore her pashmina with a matching pink dress for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2000.
Cropped Cardigans
True story of me in 2000’s trends: I had cropped cardigans in every color (to go with my camis, of course), and now I own zero. They were useful layering pieces and looked alright with any top, though in hindsight the styles weren’t all that cute. Still, Sarah Jessica Parker managed to rock it while filming Sex and the City in 2003, so this look couldn’t have been that bad. Carrie Bradshaw liked it back then, therefore I liked it too.
Alexander McQueen Skull Scarves
Alexander McQueen’s skull print scarves were the epitome of logo mania around 2002. They were lightweight and looked cool and edgy on the necks of anyone who splurged on them. From the print alone, you could tell it was a McQueen piece and a status symbol of some sort, which made the accessory even more covetable.
Low-Rise Jeans
If you’re tired of high-waisted fits digging into your skin, you might just be inclined to give low-risers another chance. Though personally, I shall pass.
Micro Denim Skirts
The only thing that would make this outfit look more 2003 is if Nicole Ritchie wore UGGs with her micro denim skirt. (Notice the cami layered underneath her sweater too.) As we’ve moved away from the super short denim miniskirts, we can take comfort in the fact we avoided any underwear wardrobe malfunctions.