Our Favourite Spring Dresses – And How You Can Style Them Every Day
by Emma L on Apr 07, 2022
The calendar officially says springtime, but the weather in Ireland seems to have other ideas. After what has seemed like an endless winter, we are finally embracing spring, and with that, springtime dressing; which means it's finally time to break out the spring dresses!
There are many ways to work around wearing spring dresses when the weather is still a little on the cold side (we've had decades of experience after all) so we want to answer some of the most common questions our shoppers ask us. The good news is that it's perfectly possible to wear spring dresses when the weather isn’t Mediterranean-worthy, and you don’t just have to save them for your holiday abroad either, which is great for getting the most wear out of your favourite pieces. Sometimes the trick is to choose the right dresses, be it a long-sleeved dress or a dress in a heavier material that will keep you a bit warmer, for example; and other times, it's all about the styling and the accessories!
How to incorporate spring dresses into your everyday wardrobe when it's still cold – and the tricks to transform to smart/casual in a few easy steps…
Flowy dresses as opposed to bodycon dresses are great for wearing every day, as they're comfortable yet feminine and fashion forward. They're perfect for running errands in, such as grocery shopping or the school run, for example, and are a nice alternative to traditional jeans and jumpers that have dominated our wardrobes over the past few months. There are many styles to choose from that would work perfectly at this time of year, especially because they can be dressed up or down with a few simple steps. Here are a few ways to wear spring dresses right now…
- One of our favourite hacks is to layer spring dresses on top of T-shirts or even thin jumpers underneath.
- Layering goes the other way too; all dresses can be layered with everything from jumpers to cardigans to gilets to jackets and even light coats and duster jackets worn open. Pashminas also work wonderfully!
Garcia black faux leather jacket
- Belt the whole look! Instead of cinching the waist with a belt and then adding layers on top, wrap a chunkier belt around the whole look (cardigan/jumper included) for a more interesting silhouette!
- Wear tights or even leggings underneath tunic dresses and mini dresses, for example. Go one step further and wear your shorter spring dresses over leather leggings, leather trousers and jeans like you did in the nineties and early noughties for some vintage throwback fashion. (Ps: 90s fashion is back in a big way!)
- Slips are a sometimes forgotten hack that can make such a difference in terms of warmth. Invest in a few slips in neutral colours that will complement your spring dresses and layer them underneath!
- Wear a chic scarf if your spring dress is on the plunging, low-cut side.
- Bored of florals? Animal print is the perfect print for a spring dress, as it still has elements of winter and colder weather, while also being great for this time of year. Animal print is seasonless after all!
Garcia wrap tan dress in allover print
- Patterns such as polka dots and stripes are also great for wearing at the beginning of spring, especially if the weather is a little on the gloomy side and you don't think pastels or florals will work.
Garcia dark blue dress with green stripes
- Another floral alternative is to mix things up and stick to block colours which is a great hack for the beginning of spring if you don't feel the weather quite matches up to the season yet. Break the colour up with a waist-defining belt and mix things up by contrasting your outerwear. Going for a head-to-toe monochrome look also works too; the choice is yours!
MSCH rose pink sleeveless dress
- Choose pastel colours for spring and then migrate to bolder and brighter colours in the summer.
- Of course floral dresses are the epitome of spring, so don’t feel shy about breaking yours out at the earliest opportunity if that's what makes you smile. Springtime florals are a classic for a reason!
- Change up the footwear and wear ankle boots while the weather is still cool (maybe even knee high boots if it's really cold!) and switch to wedges in a few months' time.
- Wear with a hat and change up the hat to a straw hat for summer holiday vibes!
How to transform a daytime spring dress into a smarter/evening look
Elevate a casual spring dress by changing up the outerwear and accessories. For the office or even to brunch or the theatre with friends, layer with a chic blazer and a waist defining belt and your favourite necklace. A faux fur coat is great cocktail bar attire too!
- The footwear is crucial when going for the smarter side of smart/casual, so some leg-elongating stilettos are the perfect choice!
- Don’t forget the accessories! Add your favourite pieces of jewellery when heading out for the evening, and swap the big tote for a smaller classic such a clutch or a chic crossbody.
Gold chunky statement necklace
T-bar crystal heart gold necklace
What dress styles to wear in the spring
- Long-sleeved dresses are a great place to start when transitioning from wintery trousers and jumpers to springtime dresses.
Moss Copenhagen pink allover print dress
Garcia red dress with allover floral print
- The fabric is also important too. Knit dresses or dresses in heavier fabrics such as denim are going to keep you much warmer than silk dresses, for example
- Avoid dresses with thin straps such as slip dresses, for example, during the very start of spring. As well as the aforementioned long-sleeves, choose options with short cap sleeves as another option, such as wrap dresses with cap or three-quarter length sleeves.
Access Fashion short floral pattern wrap dress
- We love turtleneck dresses, or dresses with higher necklines, as they will naturally keep you warmer.
How to wear shirt dresses
Shirt dresses are one of our favourite options to wear right now, as they're perfect to ease you back into dress territory after months of being covered up in trousers. And luckily, they are so versatile so there are many different ways to wear them!
Garcia army green dress with front buttons
Garcia shirt dress with allover print
- Dressed down with loafers or more casual still, runners
Garcia shirt dress with allover print
- With a belt to cinch in and define that waist
- With a chic jacket to smarten it up as well as keeping out the chill
Garcia shirt dress with allover print
- Wear instead of a coat – yes, really! This works especially well while on vacation when you’re saving on suitcase space.
Garcia shirt dress with allover print
Garcia shirt dress with allover print
How to wear maxi dresses in the spring
We always say to buy things you fall in love with when you see them, in case they sell out, so if you find a summery dress you are obsessed with, we recommend buying it now. And there's no need to save it for warmer weather or your next vacation either, as there are many ways to wear it right now too. It is officially spring after all!
- It's perfectly okay to wear a strapless maxi when it's cold – just make sure you have a matching cardigan or denim or leather jacket to wear on top!
Access Fashion long dress with geometric print
- You could even wear a jumper over it, and wear it as more of a maxi skirt as opposed to a dress. Don't forget to cinch that waist in with a good belt!
Garcia shirt dress with allover print
- Footwear is important! Ankle boots or even knee-high boots underneath will instantly warm you up, and slowly transition to ballet flats and open-toed shoes when the weather allows.
- Wear with wedges if it's too long, or take to the tailor if you want to wear with flats and also take on holiday to wear with sandals or sliders
