Lifestyle
Easy To Wear, Flattering Spring Dresses I Love
My friends diagnosed me as a “spring”. I have no idea if this is accurate or true, but it feels right based on my personality and what colors I like (happy pastels, etc). But dresses are hard for me, and while I know that we all have different body types (and some ladies love a dress on them), I struggle to find that perfect drape that doesn’t hug in the places I don’t want and that flatters without being super tight. I can wear shorts and a blouse all day long, but I’m so happy that I found some excellent dresses (after kissing so many frogs). So here are some comfortable, easy to throw on, transitional spring dresses (that also work for summer and fall…and winter). (A sale announcement at the end, BTW).
I found three spring dresses in the blue plaid peasant vibe in three wildly different price points that were all pretty excellent. This one, weighing in at $40, has an excellent drape, a pretty neckline, and was extremely easy to wear.
Now I sized up on this one, wearing a medium because it was tight in my bust and hugged too much around my belly, but I really like how the medium hung. It gives “nightgown” in a way that I actually really like, and once paired with pretty slides and a denim shirt around your waist, you have a super easy-to-wear dress for lunch.
Jumping to the most expensive of these plaid peasant spring dresses is this Doen number that fit me so perfectly I couldn’t return it (even after loving the less expensive ones). So rarely does a dress get the tailoring just right, in a fabric that is genuinely flattering. It’s roomy in the bust (and would likely enhance if you have smaller ladies) and then hugs with a lot of room – thanks to those pretty shaping seams.
It’s made out of a high-quality cotton that still drapes nicely and is super lightweight (it’s coming on spring break with me).
Lastly, we have the middle price point, from Anthropologie, which I tried on personally, or I would have never thought it would fit right on me. It’s like a glove. I’m wearing a small and it has a lot of structure (zipper on the side).
Now I can’t wear a bra with this (would show both in the front, in the armpits, and it’s low cut in the back), so I pulled out my Cakes for the first time and was delighted to see that they work!! The structure of the dress also kept them in place, but I felt supported enough (I don’t know if I would attempt aggressive wedding dancing in them, BTW). This is Brian’s favorite of all dresses (mostly because I never wear low-cut anything. HUGE FAN.
By far the cutest of all the spring dresses, this white dress by Lisa Says Gah is super stylish, and I felt great in it, but it’s specific for sure. The pilgrim collar is not for everyone, but once I paired it with the leopard sandals, it felt very me. I ended up returning it because my super casual (and messy) lifestyle doesn’t really support a bright white dress, and so many of the other dresses would get more play. But we all agreed it was awesome and stylish.
Now this dress isn’t typical for me, but I wanted to model one that people who don’t want to wear pastel colors would like. It’s a pretty cut with the little cap sleeves and V neck, it’s super easy to wear. It’s poplin, so it falls but isn’t a super easy drape. It feels a bit more fall, but maybe that’s great that you can wear it year-round.
Ok, the sleeper hit of this list is this dress. I’ve already worn it 4 times (two travel days and two work days). It’s linen and has an incredible drape, with a really full skirt that feels even elegant with its volume (while creating a really nice shape).
I really wish it came in other colors (besides the white/blue pattern, which I tried, but it’s admittedly pretty bold and specific). This is a “wear everywhere” dress, and I packed it for spring break because it’s so darn easy to wear while feeling pretty (but so low maintenance). FYI, this dress runs large, so I ended up ordering and keeping the XXS.
While I’m embarrassed by my pose, I love that dress. It falls really well, has a nice low neckline, but you can still wear a bra with it. The ruffle has a lot of volume and dances really well when you walk.
The sleeves are flattering, there is room around the stomach (and it’s lined), and that color is great through fall. Fantastic vacation or weekend dress.
Dress | Sandals | Beaded Necklace
I LOVE this dress so much, but I couldn’t make it fit on me. This is a medium, and it’s a bit baggy (for the price, I need it to fit better), but the small was too tight in the bust and waist.
Dress | Sandals | Beaded Necklace
I think it’s such a pretty dress (and subtle), but my proportions didn’t work in it. It has a great drape and just screams summer.
Another one that I was like, “yes, this is a yes”. It’s flattering, easy to dress up and down, and is a great spring into summer transitional dress.
I’m wearing a size small, and it still fits nicely (the rouging around the ribs is thick in a good way – sometimes I find them so thin that they show everything underneath, and I feel so uncomfortable). Full coverage if you don’t have your summer tan yet, and would even be really cute with cowboy boots.
This was another total surprise!! This dress is $40, and while the small was ill-fitting on me, once I sized up to a medium, it draped so well. It’s not as fitted as it’s meant to be, but I loved how it drapes on me and felt really pretty.
It has pockets, a sweet neckline, and is just so casual and sweet. This is a keeper and one I’ll wear a lot this summer.
Another full-coverage one for us ladies not ready to bare it all. This dress has a nice, easy shape that doesn’t hug or tug, a throw-and-go with big volume sleeves, and a great fabric.
She’s got pockets, which could be worn just as easily with flip flops as heels. I tried on no less than 40 spring dresses in the Target dressing room. This one is a great, affordable option that made the cut for being unexpectedly good.
This is one that so many of you are going to try on and will be unable to NOT buy. It’s so flowy and comfortable, with cute flutter sleeves and a V-neck. While it has an empire waist, it didn’t feel maternity to me – the cut along the sides was slimming.
It’s just a great spring through fall dress for all the days we want zero structure or tailoring (perfect period or tanning dress). Just roomy and comfy (and with a super flowy drape in really thin fabric, with lining).
I picked this up as a vacation dress (for our trip). The colors, the pattern, the cut – all felt perfect for end-of-day vibes where it’s slightly chilly, and you want sleeves (or a layer). It’s a shirt dress with a tie to come in at the waist if you are into that.
Dress | Flats | Heels (similar)
Shout out to Kaitlin, who took the prettiest photos on the rainiest and darkest of days (thus us shooting spring dresses inside instead of outside).
Ok, now this one might be considered “pajamas,” but that didn’t stop me (and I kept it – I actually LOVE it). This is my perfect throw-and-go dress for running around town, but wanting to feel cute and even flirty. Zero hugs and tugs, but with a flirty neckline and bows/loops.
I don’t think I’m really selling it. I’d wear it on a hot day, almost like a beach cover-up. I loved the retro floral/stripe pattern, and my whole team agreed that they could see me wearing it all the time (I heavily rely on them being honest with me).
***For all my Portland friends, Saturday, April 11th, I’ll be having a pop-up sale at Community Warehouse, where I’m bringing like 10 racks of clothes that are in great condition. An occupational hazard of the job is that I need to wear what is current – clothes I legitimately love. But I can’t keep accumulating clothes without purging, and most of my clothes aren’t high-end enough to go to consignment, but they are almost in perfect condition, so it feels sad to donate to Goodwill. So I offered to do a pop-up for 4 hours where CW gets all the money from the sales, while I get to meet a lot of you, which really fills up my bucket. More details to come, but we are thinking I’ll be there from 11-3 pm at the Community Warehouse location on MLK. I’ll bring a lot of other swag that is sent to me that I don’t need – think candles, beauty, some lamps/bedding – all things that had to be shot, but are in perfect condition. Think more garage sale than flea market. Come say hi!!!
Oh, and in case you missed the spring sandal post, HEAD HERE!
*Photos by Kaitlin Green
Don’t know if this is helpful, but your posts are no longer showing up in my feedly. It’s been about a week and I just thought you weren’t posting anything until going directly to your site.
This happened to me too! I deleted and re-added and it’s working again!
HI!! can you share or point me in the right direction to find the wall paneling you used in many of the rooms in your farmhouse. I started searching for it when i saw the powder bath and now I see you used it many times. thank you and all the dresses look so fantastic on you!!
It was custom from a company in Portland called Creative Woodworking. Believe it was 10″ boards with a 1/2″ bead?
All look amazing on you. Honest question. Age 62. I feel too old to wear this style, yes? More for younger women?
I don’t think they have to be for younger women. I’d try a few on and see how you feel. If you love them and feel good I DEFINITELY do not think you should would look out of place at 62. I’m 54 and wouldn’t hesitate. 60 is the new 40, right?!!!
I have to clarify – I’m not saying that I personally would wear all of these dresses. I don’t love certain body parts enough to have all of these work for me. I’m just saying if you would love any of them on you, I wouldn’t not get them because of being 62 :).
Thank you MKP. Maybe it is me. Older I get I lag further behind on the new trends. The ruffles and flowers have me thinking Laura Ashley from 1978. I’ll give it a try. Needing something for a spring break trip.
I wouldn’t wear any of these dresses cause they have a Little House on the Prairie meets TradWife look but they look great on you!
I loved all of them on you, some were more “Emily as Scandi dairy maid” but in a good way.
Fun! You look great and I appreciate the honest reviews. I’d love another post for people who don’t really wear florals… I’m not very “girly” but I need some cute clothes for spring.
The $40 light blue maxi dress with the flowers, the 10th dress in the article, doesn’t come up with the link provided. It’s just a message from Target saying that it’s not sold at their stores. Ahhhh!! This is my DREAM dress. Help! Stat! Love you dear ladies.
Same issue for me! Tried searching for it and no luck
Search Target for Women’s Western Puff Short Sleeve Smocked Midi A-Line Dress – Universal Thread™ Blue Floral. I see it in stock. Hopefully they can update the link too.
My favorite was the brown Eve poplin dress which looks quite sophisticated on you. And poplin is a dream fabric and one of the best for summer.! Maybe other colors for those who prefer a brighter summer frock? This would flatter any age