While New Yorkers often head east for a summer filled with pickle ball, champagne and linen sets, those who camp out at home know one rule is imperative as the days get longer and significantly warmer: your key to surviving is dressing smartly. Pack up your jeans and fold your boucle quiet luxury dresses elsewhere if you’re staying in the city—this summer, the only trend that seems to matter to anyone is delicate, soft, breezy smocked and shirred dresses.

While the romantic style has been around for ages, it girls new and alike have been turning to it for a no-frills, easy summer outfit recipe. Just throw on your smocked dress of choice, slip-on footwear and a raffia bag for a look that’ll rival even the coolest girls on the Italian coast.

Below, browse styling inspirations for the best smocked dresses and shop some of the prettiest picks.

best smock dresses 276641 1688150139758


Photo:

@emmanuellek_

What you need: white smocked dress and crotchet bag

best smock dresses 276641 1688150998484


Photo:

@aniyahmorinia

What you need: sunglasses and a smocked tube dress

best smock dresses 276641 1688150716959


Photo:

@lefevrediary

What you need: a delicate, puff-sleeve smocked mini dress

best smock dresses 276641 1688150207992


Photo:

@champagnemani

What you need: a contrast-stitched smock dress and colorful makeup

best smock dresses 276641 1688151113532


Photo:

@_sierramayhew

What you need: a full-length smocked dress and summer sandals

best smock dresses 276641 1688151030117


Photo:

@balencianas

What you need: a strapless smocked dress and a lightweight knit to throw over your shoulders

By Malene Birger Vyra Smocked Cotton-Voile Maxi Dress

By Malene Birger

Vyra Smocked Cotton-Voile Maxi Dress

$630

I’m loving this laid-back Grecian-inspired pick.

Sea Casey Hand-Smocked Cotton Midi Dress

Sea

Casey Hand-Smocked Cotton Midi Dress

$225

Simply goregous.

Madewell Theo Sleeveless Midi Dress

Madewell

Theo Sleeveless Midi Dress

$128

This muted eggplant color looks so good with black accessories.

J.Crew Tie-Front Voile Cover-Up Midi Dress

J.Crew

Tie-Front Voile Cover-Up Midi Dress

$118
$28

This dress is currently en-route to me as we speak.

Fashion Apparels Venus Smocked Midi Dress

Fashion Apparels

Venus Smocked Midi Dress

$138

Smocked dresses and a drop waist? This summer’s two biggest dress trends combined equal my favorite find on this list.

Ciao Lucia Fiorella Dress Check

Ciao Lucia

Fiorella Dress Check

$425

Ciao Lucia is the cool girl brand everyone (including myself) is pining over now.

H&M Smocked-Bodice Dress

H&M

Smocked-Bodice Dress

$15
$13

For under $20, this dress is a must-have for anyone looking for a chic, easy outfit to add into their closets.

La Ligne Vivian Dress

La Ligne

Vivian Dress

$295

Pretty in pink.

Sea Willa Smocking Dress

Sea

Willa Smocking Dress

$485
$243

Sea’s summer offerings are anything but boring: this simple sweetheart dress puts a fun twist into the smocked trend with an exaggerated, long bodice.

Sovere Reserve One-Shoulder Smocked-Waist Dress

Sovere

Reserve One-Shoulder Smocked-Waist Dress

$229

A need, not a want.

Sndys Tahlia Dress

Sndys

Tahlia Dress

$85

Everyone loves this classic Sndys dress.

Significant Other Robyn Dress

Significant Other

Robyn Dress

$382

I think I actually need this dress in my life in order to survive.

Gap Flutter Sleeve Smocked Mini Dress

Gap

Flutter Sleeve Smocked Mini Dress

$80
$71

Love.

Dôen Ambrosia Dress

Dôen

Ambrosia Dress

$598

Dôen’s summer line-up is straight out of a fashion fairytale.

Frame Shirred Ramie-Gauze Midi Dress

Frame

Shirred Ramie-Gauze Midi Dress

$493
$221

Big day for girls who can’t say no to beautiful white dresses.

Maeve Strapless Smocked Dress

Maeve

Strapless Smocked Dress

$148

Chic.

Lane Bryant Smocked-Bodice Maxi Dress

Lane Bryant

Smocked-Bodice Maxi Dress

$100
$60

I’m loving how timeless this silhouette is.

Reformation Tavi Linen Dress

Reformation

Tavi Linen Dress

$248

Reformation never comes to play with their adorable floral-printed dresses.

Ciao Lucia Smocked Midi Dress

Ciao Lucia

Smocked Midi Dress

$335

The bows on this pick are simply *chef’s kiss*.

Dôen + Net Sustain Earhart Smocked Organic Cotton-Poplin Mini Dress

Dôen

+ Net Sustain Earhart Smocked Organic Cotton-Poplin Mini Dress

$230

If you’re looking for something a bit more understated, this black mini with a smocked neckline seems like the perfect pick.

Reformation Nira Dress

Reformation

Nira Dress

$248

Ref can do no wrong when it comes to picking their florals in my eyes.

Posse Abby Smocked Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress

Posse

Abby Smocked Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress

$330

This butter yellow smocked strapless number is just speaking to me.

Eloquii Elements Chambray Puff Sleeve Smocked Bodice Dress

Eloquii

Elements Chambray Puff Sleeve Smocked Bodice Dress

$34
$19

The simplest way to make puff sleeve dresses feel extra 2023? Chambray fabrics.

Tory Burch Printed Silk Strapless Dress

Tory Burch

Printed Silk Strapless Dress

$898

After seeing this Tory Burch dress, I practically had to pick my jaw off the ground.

Hill House The Eyelet Cosima Nap Dress

Hill House

The Eyelet Cosima Nap Dress

$195

Not going to lie, I’m a massive Hill House stan.

Hill House The Naia Nap Dress

Hill House

The Naia Nap Dress

$150

This dress just screams summer holiday.

Ganni Seersucker Check Smock Maxi Dress

Ganni

Seersucker Check Smock Maxi Dress

$445

The Ganni team always impresses me with their incredible on-trend dress offerings.

Next, I Grew Up On The Water—36 Well-Priced Swimsuits I Highly Recommend

Source link