The appeal of a floral frock is immediate.
The pattern offers an interesting detail to add to your warm weather wardrobe without dominating the look in the way that an animal print or vertical stripes would. For this reason, you can pair it with just about anything, juxtaposing the neutrality of the design with the aforementioned vibrant pieces or keeping it clean and classic with a simple pair of strappy sandals or white trainers.
Fill your wardrobe with flower print dresses and you’ll never be stuck for sartorial inspiration. Not only does the power of the frock mean that you only need to think of one item when selecting your OOTD, but the pattern provides a timeless, elegant aesthetic that looks put together in a way that could disguise the fact you rolled out of bed only moments before throwing it on.
This style also leans in to the current cottage-core obsession that shows no signs of wavering. Ditsy prints with a vintage-edge are in line with our penchant for all things praire and are only enhanced by the ruffles, floaty linen or cotton constructions and the voluminous sleeves that are so often paired with the print.
White dresses are floaty and easy - just be aware of red wine mishaps. Other colourways dominating the scene are the universally flattering hues of cornflower blue or striking pops of apple green that will mark a change from muted and neutral shades that likely dominate your winter apparel. Floral prints can also be found on formal frocks that are ideal for wedding guest dressing, but work just as well for more casual dress codes to take you from the 9 to 5 to after-work drinks to al fresco BBQ garden parties.
There’s silhouettes for every hemline. Flash your pins after a long drawn-out cold weather spell with mini cuts that will keep you cool in hot climes in a modern way, elongate your figure with a midi that also makes for a more office appropriate cut or opt for a billowy body with a maxi for an easy, breezy aesthetic. Look out also for midaxis that finish at the perfect ankle-grazing length.
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Warehouse Floral Halter Neck Jersey Crepe Midi Dress
This dress will spark joy every time you reach for it out of your closet. The mood-boosting, brightly-coloured floral print is elevated further by the halterneck silhouette that makes it ideal for smart and casual occasions alike.
Buy now £27.30, Warehouse
Nobody’s Child Pink Floral Maya Midi Dress
Throw over a bikini for colourful beach attire or pair with strappy sandals for summer evenings enjoyed al fresco - this floral dress has versatility. From the ruffle trims at the straps to the smocked style detail at the bust, it’s a sure-fire win. The piece is eco-conscious too, made from 50 per cent recycled materials.
Buy now £59.00, Nobody’s Child
& Other Stories Flowy Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
Pretty in pink, this & Other Stories number has a romantic feel with its ditsy floral design and sweetheart neckline. It has a slim fit with a leg-flashing side slit to bring even more intrigue to a playful style.
Buy now £85.00, & Other Stories
Faithfull The Brand Odette floral-print crepe halterneck mini dress
This warm tropical-inspired piece will be all the motivation you need to book a flight to a far-flung destination. The design is remniscient of Hawaiian shirts with summery hues of tonal orange. It’s handmade locally in Bali from an FSC-certified crepe fabric.
Buy now £179.00, Net-A-Porter
Rixo Cherie Ruffled-Split Dress
If your diary is filled with an onslaught of nuptials, you’ll be relieved to have a floral frock like this one from Rixo in your arsenal. The long-sleeves and high neck means you’re prepared for the inevitable mercurial nature of the British summer, while the floral design in hues of lavender, red and yellow bring the sunshine even if the temp doesn’t play ball.
Buy now £295.00, Rixo
Nobody’s Child Retro Floral Halter Neck Garnet Midaxi Dress
After a long winter, it’s time to flash some skin and maximise what the summer has to offer. This halterneck midaxi deserves its place in your holiday wardrobe, whether that’s to adorn in sandy settings or during a staycation on UK soil. It has a whimsical ditsy design and a classically 90s silhouette.
Buy now £55.00, Nobody’s Child
Elvira Crochet Midi Dress
This cool crochet dress is calling out to be worn on a beach in Bali, a pool party in Ibiza or in a remote tropical island. The piece has been made by independent artisans with an open-knit construction and floral embroidered patches to add colour and detail. It’s consciously made too.
Buy now £248.00, Free People
ASOS DESIGN strappy ruched bust midi dress in green and white floral
When the summer sartorial uncertainty hits, this is the dress you’ll reach for time and time again. The white floral design is set on a green backdrop to create a statement style that requires little effort to unlock its unlimited potential. Throw on with a pair of sandals or white trainers to complete the look. Simple but effective.
Buy now £24.00, ASOS
Reformation Lacey Dress
When summer finally rears its long-awaited head, the prairie-style dress is always a win. This is a subtle take on the trend from LA-born laidback label Reformation that nods to the aesthetic with a romantic, cottage-core look shown through ruffle trims on the voluminous sleeves and a vintage floral design. Given a modern sensibility, there’s a side slit for drama and a sensual edge.
Buy now £278.00, Reformation
Rixo Freya Silk Bardot Dress
The flowers on the Freya dress were hand-painted originally after inspiration struck co-founder Orlagh when she was in Goa’s Latin Quarter of Fontainhas. The pretty print makes for a piece that even those who shy away from colour can get on board with, not in the least for the silhouette that goes alongside it. It’s a princess-seamed skirt but most attractive of all, it has an off-the-shoulder design and rosette embellishment. Style with a belt or let the piece do the talking.
Buy now £315.00, Rixo
ROTATE Birger Christensen Sita floral-print satin mini dress
Step back in time with the bright florals of this party piece from Scandi favourite label ROTATE Birger Christensen. The sartorial embodiment of flower power, it’s taking us back to the 60s, an aesthetic that’s heightened by the high neck, billowing sleeves and short short hem.
Buy now £240.00, Net-A-Porter
H&M Frill-trimmed satin dress
This sophisticated style from H&M may seem like a classic floral frock on first look but its construction from a satin-like material has an elegant drape and makes it ready for any weddings that come your way this summer and beyond. Black dresses never fail.
Buy now £24.99, H&M
Miss Selfridge collared cut out mini tea dress in multicolour ditsy
Oversized collars have dominated the fashion agenda in the last few years. Call it the Shrimps effect after the London-based brand’s signature aesthetic but its status has been solidified by the obsession with cottagecore Victorian-age styling. Two of our favourite elements combine with this piece where floral meets collar in a piece you’ll reserve for those rainy summer days.
Buy now £36.99, ASOS
For Love & Lemons Rowan Maxi Dress
For Love & Lemons is known for its ethereal, dreamy designs that are whimsical, romantic and feminine - as this maxi dress is a case in point. The print is made all the more striking with a chiffon fabric, contoured ruffles and smocked detailing as well as well-placed cut-outs and the rosette details.
Buy now £370.00, For Love & Lemons
ASTR Brandy Dress
The Brandy dress is a statement floral design yet the muted hue makes it ready for everyday wear, even if bright colours aren’t your thing. The strappy detail and cut-outs make for a dress that will form the foundation of your holiday wardrobe.
Buy now £140.00, Free People
NA-KD Mini Dress
Push your knit jumpers and long-sleeves to one side, summer is finally here and that calls for a celebration in the best way we know how: filling our wardrobes with mini dresses like this abstract floral frock from NA-KD.
Buy now £24.95, NA-KD
Reformation Kaye Silk Dress
It’s a hard balance when the sun is set to shine to find a dress for more formal occasions that is demure, covered up and yet doesn’t look like you’ve dug it out of your grandma’s wardrobe. Enter the Kaye dress by Reformation.
This is a silky style to solve your outfit woes with its attractive silver-blue colourway, floral design and ruffle bodice detail. Best of all, you need not forgo a bra so you can stay supported and comfortable all night long.
Buy now £285.00, Reformation
& Other Stories Tie-Front Mini Dress
The white dress is a wardrobe staple come summer and this piece from & Other Stories takes its ethereal reputation and gives it a bohemian edge. Throw this on for work to the weekend for an easy, breezy style. It is embellished with tie details, elasticated three quarter sleeves and a tiered design that gives a flattering fit to the floaty silhouette.
Buy now £95.00, & Other Stories
Rixo Corrine V-Neck Midi Dress
Rixo is always on hand with modern on-trend styles that take inspiration from vintage pieces and the Corrine is exactly that, bringing with it a breath of summery fresh air to our monochrome wardrobe. The empire waist gives it a flattering cinching, while the blousy sleeves and asymmetric hem has a ‘I just threw this on’ quality with effortless elegance.
Buy now £275.00, Rixo
H&M Patterned A-line dress
What do you wear to work during the summer? This is a question we find ourselves asking every single day when the weather improves. This A-line dress from H&M will form part of your rotation with just a subtle flash of skin. Pair with tights and boots in the winter and you have a frock with all season appeal.
Buy now £19.99, H&M
Nobody’s Child Pink Floral Sweetheart Neck Darcie Midi Dress
How better to celebrate our favourite season aka peony season than with this romantic dress from one of our favourite labels of the moment? Nobody’s Child is knocking it out the park on the summer selection this year and the Darcie proves it. The brushstroke petals give a vibrant look with added intrigue and the pattern is set on a flouncy frock with a tiered design that elongates our silhouettes.
Buy now £79.00, Nobody’s Child
Ganni Pleated Georgette Ruffle Mini Dress
Remember that polka dot Zara dress of a few summers ago? It was closely followed in the viral sensation category by that smocked gingham Ganni style - such is a testament to the Scandi label’s impact on the fashion scene. The gift that keeps on giving, the brand’s SS23 offering provides plenty to get excited about. Just look to this pleated ruffle mini that’s perfect for weddings, garden parties or even a trip down the pub if your looking to show off your Sunday best.
Buy now £215.00, Ganni
AllSaints Antheia Eugenia Mini Dress
You can count on AllSaints to bring attitude to our summer wardrobes and the Antheia Eugenia is oozing with it by somehow turning ruffles into an edgy detail. They are set on the tiered style, giving elegance to the grunge aesthetic, whether you pair with ankle boots or something more lightweight.
Buy now £179.00, AllSaints
French Connection Camille Verona Crepe Smocked Mini Dress
Get in on summer’s most romantic trend with this dreamy dress that has classic praire-style elements. You have the ruffle trim, high collar, smocked style and floral print but it remains flattering and feminine with the mini cut and figure-hugging fit.
Buy now £69.00, French Connection
Nobody’s Child Petite Green Floral Sweetheart Lucia Mini Dress
Green is a colourway you’ll see everywhere this summer. From street style to homewares, we can’t get enough of the hue, particularly the crisp apple version of it. The Lucia is an easy summer fit with a sweetheart neckline adorned with a ruffle trim, a relaxed skirt and sporadic florals.
Buy now £45.00, Nobody’s Child
Monki Black floral v-neck pinafore maxi dress
Here’s the beauty of this floral frock from Monki, it works just as well as a solo piece as it does when layered over a t-shirt - be it short or long sleeves. This means that while you can invest in it as a summer style, it is one you’ll be reaching for come rain or shine to bring a mood-boosting creation into your wardrobe. It has a pinafore silhouette and tie details at the shoulders.
Buy now £30.00, Monki
Cos Floral-print V-neck Midi Dress
Cos is known for a very particular minimalistic design aesthetic so this floral dress may at first seem like a break from its signature pieces. But you only need to look to the way in which it is styled to see how it embodies the laidback luxury of the high street hero. The brand recommends pairing it with heels, a statement bag and a chunky chain but you can also wear with trousers, half buttoned for a look that belongs in St Tropez.
Buy now £135.00, Cos
New Look Blue Floral Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
You can never go wrong with a floral dress, it’s one of the easiest to style but feels put together at the same time as is shown by this midi from New Look. It’s a cornflower blue colourway that’s adorned with white florals. An easy, timeless win.
Buy now £33.99, New Look
