When the words “spring dresses” start popping up as the temperatures start to warm up, it feels like the whisper of hope is filling our hearts. What also initially comes to mind when spring dresses are talked about are…florals, puff sleeves, etc. Now, there is nothing wrong with those details. I love them…but not typically for me or my spring dress style. I don’t mind a pattern, but I want it simple and usually just a stripe. I mostly prefer solid spring dresses with more modern lines.

Some of you commented on Em’s spring dress posts (this one and this one), requesting solid spring dresses and more modern cuts. While Em really likes these dresses in theory, they don’t speak to her or her body (her words) the way they do to me and, clearly, some of you. I guess we are two sides of the same spring dress coin, ha. So, since I am a solid spring dress enthusiast, we decided it’d be best for me to take the reins and find really awesome spring dress picks that fit this category and help those of you wanting this type of spring dress. Here we go!

Solid Spring Dresses: Denim

Zia Pocket Shift Dress | Sleeveless Zip Denim Dress

This is Emily Henderson’s blog, of course, so we must start with denim. The first one is actually one that Emily would absolutely wear (and has in the past…well, something similar). It’s cool, modest, can be worn throughout the year, and has that great subtle stripe. The sleeveless zip-up is casual but chic. It has that great, longer, and full skirt, a tie to draw attention to your waist, and a front zip for you to choose how much chest you feel like showing off!

Airy Denim Seamed Maxi Dress | Belem Chambray Midi Dress

I really love the effortless “throw on and go” look of the first dress. You can easily wear a standard bra, and those seams really elevate it, so it’s not cool, boring. The second is a bit more “dressed up” but can be worn to SO many different kinds of events, both casual or a little dressy. The waist tie is a big trend right now, but also pretty classic, so it’s not really ever going to be “out”. It’s an unexpected chambray piece and from a brand that I can personally vouch for their high quality.

Solid Spring Dresses: Ulilitarian

Patch-Pocket Pullover Dress | Cotton Canvas Utility Pocket Maxi Dress

Onto even more structure! When I first saw the navy blue dress, I thought it was denim, but it’s cotton poplin, so it’s very lightweight. I love the contrast stitching and how it would instantly make you feel put together with it on. It also comes in orange and olive green. For the green dress, there are SO many things to love – the neckline, the oversize sitched pockets (there are back pockets too!), the great hem stitching. I also love the canvas material. It feels a little “edgy” without trying too hard. This one also comes in a few other colors.

Solid Spring Dresses: Cute and Flowy

Elina Sleeveless Midi Dress | Welsh Dress

Sometimes all I want is a cute dress that just hangs on my body, you know? That’s exactly what these two offer! The red dress is vibrant but cool, and I really love the ties and ruching near the hips as well as the wider straps. Dress up, dress down, it’s roomy, the dream. The blue dress (that also comes in black) is one that is really up my alley. So simple but so pretty. Of course, your standard bra won’t work, but for me, I’d throw on my Cakes and call it a day (but I know that’s not what’s ideal for everyone).

Solid Spring Dresses: Classic And Great Necklines

Cotton Canvas Asymmetric Midi Dress | Vea Dress | Sky Burnt Choc Linen Midi Dress

It’s time for some dark neutrals, which I love wearing in the spring and summer too. But what I love about these 3 are the necklines. The first one is a modest scoop which I feel looks great on so many people (if not most!). The asymmetrical hemline is also pretty fun mixed with the canvas material. The black dress with the square neckline is so dreamy to me. Depending on the types of bra you wear, you might need to get one that works with that kind of neckline, but aside from that, no notes. It’s just SO elegant but not so dressy that you can’t bop around town in it. It also comes in dark brown. The last dress has that awesome deep V-neckline halter. I can get a little shy with this kind of style, but I also want to shake that off. Why not show off a little cleavage if you want to!? This linen beauty is simple, chic, and I love the wideness of the halter too.

Solid Spring Dresses: Linen Button-Up

Linen-Blend Midi Shirtdress | Catherine Button Linen Dress | Holland Stretch Linen Midi Dress

A button-up linen dress screams spring and summer to me. It really evokes an effortlessness we all yearn for during the hotter months. This first shirtdress is so classic. Sometimes you just want to cover those shoulders but still want a pretty dress shape. This gives you both. However, if you prefer no sleeves, you can’t go wrong with the brown dress. It has a V-neckline, but much more modest than the one in the previous section:) Now, what I love about this last black dress are the buttons, specifically. They stand out, they’re small, are placed close together, and are alternating shapes. They really evoke vacation, warm weather, and ease. The neckline is also so pretty:)

Solid Spring Dresses: Tie Waist

Rosa Halter Linen Midi Dress | Wrap Midi-Dress with Knot

I’m a big tie waist fan. It accentuates the waist, but I get to control how much and change it as I please. These two dresses are so great for that reason and more. The burnt orange dress is sophisticated but easy. The shape is clean, the pockets are awesome (always), and I love the neckline so much. It comes in 2 other colors. The cream colored dress is a faux wrap, so you don’t have to worry about a gust of wind doing you dirty! This one, too, is chic in its simplicity and bonus points for being “normal bra approved”. It also comes in brown.

Solid Spring Dresses: Cool Straps

Sorrel Dress | One-Shoulder Midi Dress

Yes, there is a little pattern in this post, and it starts with the incredibly cool green dress. That high boatneck is SO beautiful, the tie straps add playfulness, and the mod pattern is so fun but not too, “hey I’m a spring dress!” Also, notice the steam around the waist. The perfect detail that also creates some shape. This one comes in a floral too, if that’s your preference:) The beige one is close to my heart because I own it in brown! I feel so good in it, the twist detail is my favorite, and it’s so versatile.

Solid Spring Dresses: Day to Night

Annet Linen Blend Midi Dress | Fraise Linen Dress

Solid spring dresses but in bold, beautiful colors! Both of these remind me of something Audrey Hepburn would wear. I want to be strolling down an Italian street in one of these. The contrast trim around the neck and arms of the pink dress makes it feel so special. It also comes in navy! The red dress is…perfect? Yes, it’s perfect. Here it’s more dressed up, but you could easily throw on sandals and a sweater and look just as chic. It also comes in white.

Solid Spring Dresses: Thin Strap “Halters”

Kit Poplin Dress | Tie-Neck Dress in Stretch Linen | Gloria Linen Midi Dress

If you can’t tell, I’m really into talking about necklines, and these are so fun. I want to be that woman in the striped dress bad. It’s simple but bold and incredible. The solid blue dress is awesome because you can choose that cool criss-cross strap look, or just tie them in a bow in the front, or leave them hanging. We love a “one dress, many looks” option! It comes in three more colors, too. The last dress has that real easy, beachy vibe that I am yearning for. And the thin halter strap is just really pretty.

Solid Spring Dresses: Ruched

Gathered Midi-Dress | Toby White Cotton Midi Dress | Florence Burnt Choc Cotton Midi Dress

Ruching is a detail I feel that many of us are quite fond of. It comes in so many different versions, so let’s go through these three now. The green dress almost has a simplified Ulla Johnson feel to it. It’s drapey, chic, and looks so easy to wear. The white one screams spring to me, but in a simplified sort of way. It’s not overly ruffled or patterned, but still really romantic. It comes in 2 other dark colors. The last one is from the same brand as the white one but has even cleaner lines. The thick straps and narrow scoop look very “simple but special” to me:) Oh, and it’s a racerback too, and also comes in black.

Solid Spring Dresses: Modest And Cool

Topstitch Midi Dress | Cotton Poplin Midi Dress

Modest and cool are two words that very much go together. Case in point, these beauts above. Ok, that first one isn’t cheap, but it was too good not to at least show you and introduce you to the brand, Me+Em, in case you hadn’t heard of it. The sleeves, the seams, the high neck! All so good. The blue one, on the other hand, is equally as cool but less expensive. A totally different vibe to the pink, but both elegant and a little eclectic at the same time. The belt isn’t included, but I think it’s so great with it. And these two are very bra-friendly.

Solid Spring Dresses: Slip Dresses

Midi Dress with Stitching Details | Two-Tone Satin Dress | The Sonata Dress

I know slip dresses can be tricky bra-wise, but if you are a fan, I love all 3 of these. The color and stitching down the front of the blue one are to die for (also comes in black). And speaking of black, the two-tone satin dress is so chic! You can sit with confidence (not worrying about what might get on it), but still have a light colored dress at the same time. Plus, I think you could wear a regular bra with this one (at least a demi-cup). The last one is from The Great and is just romantic. Very “vintage night gown” in the best way. I would love to have that dress in my closet.

Solid Spring Dresses: Modern Knit

Fine-Knit Flared Dress | Stella Maxi Crochet Dress

Time for the knits! A knit dress is perfect for spring, and as long as it’s not too hot, great for summer…at least summer nights. The dark olive green dress is so elegant. The slits on both sides of the neckline (the model’s hair is blocking one side) is just one of those details that make all the difference. The Kelly green dress is crocheted and ready for a girl’s brunch! It’s playful, a little airy, and has a great cut.

Solid Spring Dresses: Striped Knit

Striped Jacquard Dress | Knit Boatneck Midi Dress | Maeve Sleeveless Blocked Sweater Dress

More knits? Why yes! That first pink and red striped dress is so exciting to look at! Like the diamond neck blue and green one, it says, “I know how to dress for vacation.” I want it for my summer vacation. There are 2 other colorways. I also want the boatneck one. Another chic neckline with that throw-on-and-go look. It comes in black and white, too! The last one is a little dressier but has a sophisticated casualness to it. I love the sheer detail on the skirt and the way the colors are blocked. This one also comes in a more colorful blue option.

Solid Spring Dresses: Cool T-Shirt

Round Neck Sleeveless Sundress | Nell Polo Oversized Maxi Dress

Let’s end this dress post with the comfiest, coziest type of dress: the t-shirt dress. The first sleeveless one is only $19 and comes in a bunch of other colors! I, of course, love the pockets, but I also love the added fabric under the arm so you don’t “show off” your bra. The other striped one is so great, and I really want it. It just looks so comfy but cool, right?? I want to throw it on to run errands, hang out at my friends’, grab lunch! So everywhere.

I really hope this was helpful and spoke to those of us who lean more towards solid spring dresses. All of us are different, and we try to help out as many of you as possible. So happy it’s dress season:)

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Easy To Wear, Flattering Spring Dresses I Love