The Best Dresses for Spring

Fabric choice is key to how practical a spring dress actually is. As a general rule, natural fabrics and natural blends are your best friend for this season. They breathe well, layer without bulk and tend to feel much more comfortable as the day warms up.

Cotton is the perfect example - it’s nice and breezy, easy to care for, and available in everything from structured shirt dresses to relaxed smocks.

As temperatures climb, reach for linen styles that are even more lightweight. Offering easy-wear, relaxed elegance, they work for both casual and dressed-up occasions.

If comfort is at the top of your priority list, look out for jersey dresses. These pieces move with you all season and are simple to layer under a jacket or cardigan. But the best part? They only need minimal ironing.

A spring dress on its own is lovely. A spring dress with the right layer over the top is a complete outfit that works from morning through to evening.

A denim jacket is the easiest and most versatile option: it works over almost any print or fabric and keeps things relaxed and unfussy. A lightweight cardigan is perfect for transitional days when you want softness rather than structure. A trench coat elevates even the simplest dress into something polished and put-together, while a tailored blazer is the go-to for taking a dress into work or a smarter occasion

Layering a dress well is mostly about thinking in textures and weights. A fine-knit top or fitted long-sleeve underneath a sleeveless or strappy dress gives you warmth without changing the overall shape of your outfit. On cooler days, opaque tights add warmth from the legs up and can also anchor the look if you're wearing something more floaty.

Adding a belt over a cardigan or loose-fitting jacket is a simple trick to reclaim shape when layering. For footwear, ankle boots are the natural companion to midi and maxi dresses through the cooler weeks of spring, transitioning to loafers or flatforms as the temperature rises.

A cold spring day doesn't mean retreating to your winter wardrobe. Long-sleeve dresses are an obvious starting point, giving you the feel of a spring outfit with built-in warmth. Midi lengths work in your favour here too, keeping your legs covered without needing to layer heavily underneath.

Closed-toe shoes and a pair of tights take care of the lower half, while a coat from the women's transitional outerwear range handles the rest. The result is a look that's entirely appropriate for spring without feeling underdressed for the actual temperature outside.

Of all the spring styles, the maxi dress will be one of the most low-effort, high-reward pieces in your seasonal wardrobe - and it's far more versatile than people often give it credit for.

For casual days, choose a spring maxi dress in lighter florals or abstract patterns that feel fresh and seasonal without being overwhelming. Pair it with white trainers and a denim jacket for a relaxed, pulled-together look that requires almost no effort.

If you’re wearing a floaty number, try adding a belt to give some definition at the waist, then layer with a cropped jacket to balance proportions and keep you warm on cooler mornings.

The most confidence-boosting dresses are the ones that fit and flatter your actual shape, not the shape you think you should be dressing for.

Wrap styles work for almost everyone because the waist tie creates shape regardless of your size. Empire waist dresses sit beautifully on the bust and skim the body below, making them a comfortable and elegant choice. Structured waistbands and seamed bodices provide support and definition without feeling restrictive. Smock dresses and tea dresses in relaxed cuts are brilliant if you want something easy and forgiving that still looks considered.