Spring is about to reach Aussie shores and we cannot wait. Warmer weather, longer days, blossoming blooms and sunny skies – sign us up.
With spring comes spring cleaning, and it is time to clear your wardrobe and make way for seasonal essentials, our favourite being the classic spring dress.
Spring can sometimes be a trickier season to dress for. In September it tends to be a little bit cooler and even wet, calling for more coverage, but come November it is hot hot hot and you’ll be after something lighter and less constrictive.
We spoke with THE ICONIC‘s Head of Style, Nicole Adolphe, to get the low down on what trends and silhouettes to look for this spring so we can make informed shopping choices and stay ahead of the game.
What trends to look out for this spring
No matter what Miranda Priestly has to say about it, florals will never truly be out of style for spring dressing. However instead of your usual micro florals and feminine prints, look more to the abstract.
“Garden floral prints will take centre stage, paired with contrasting deeper hues and edgy floral patterns”, says Nicole. “Keep florals fresh for spring by teaming them with raffia oversized tote bags and sandals.”
If you’re looking to stray away from the typical seasonal palette the good news is the grungier style we were loving during winter will be carried over to spring and summer.
“Backless detail as well as interesting strappy cutaways at the neckline are also key here”, advises Nicole on how to nail this trend.
Look out for that ‘quiet luxury’ and utilitarian look as well. And if you’re a fan of the Euro-summer-inspired ‘Tomato Girl’ aesthetic then the good news is that isn’t going anywhere.
“Some of the key dress styles we expect to see are midi length dresses with cutaways on the side, voluminous sleeves with an a-line skirt, party dresses with frill detailing, and asymmetrical necklines”, Nicole adds.
How to layer dresses in spring
As we enter that transitional period between winter and spring, some added coverage for warmth will never go astray on cooler days.
If you’re not sure how to nail this look without looking bulky or mismatched, Nicole suggests that “… depending on the neckline of the dress you could layer a printed or plain mesh top underneath to cover your arms and add that extra layer.”
“Jacket-wise a lightweight trench coat works well with a spring dress, or you can even pair an oversized shirt worn open. A personal fave of mine to get more wear out of a dress is to wear a knit on top so that your dress is styled as a skirt.”
How to style spring dresses
Nailing spring looks all comes down to styling, pair your favourite seasonal dress with statement jewellery and bold accessories to shake up your outfits.
“Heels are the usual choice for a spring dress but you’ll find if you add a knee-high boot it will really change the vibe of your outfit. A bold-coloured bag is also a statement piece and finishes off your look. This season a round bag or a boxy bag with a chain strap is a chic addition”, adds Nicole.
The best spring dresses to shop in 2023
Want to add some spring dresses to your seasonal lineup but aren’t sure where to start? Below are some of our top picks that are on our own wish lists come spring.
Aere Long sleeve puff ball linen mini dress, $150, THE ICONIC
Australian label Aere’s selection of lightweight, hot-weather-ready dresses is top of our list come springtime. This sweet mini comes in the perfect seasonal floral print and offers some coverage on the arms thanks to the puff sleeves.
One shoulder mini dress, $59.99, Cotton On
Perfect for those warmer spring days, this lightweight linen mini is so easy to style and can work for anything from the beach to the bar to shops and back.
Nemi linen dress, $110, Nude Lucy
A classic shift dress will never go out of style, and we are loving this timeless option from Nude Lucy that comes in a black or white shade – either way, you’ll wear it for years to come.
Aere Short sleeve dress, $180, THE ICONIC
The ideal dress for a night at the bar, this dress can be dressed up or down with ease and the flattering silhouette suits every body type.
Amalie The Label Hamyya linen puff sleeve dress, $139.95, Showpo
The puff sleeve style is the silhouette of the season and we are loving this mango hued mini from Amalie The Label.
Yves mini dress Salamanca, $199, Faithfull The Brand
We can’t get enough of this sweet long-sleeve mini that can honestly work for any season. Offering some coverage on the arms whilst flashing some legs, we also are loving the stylish animal-inspired print that offers some refuge from the classic florals of spring.
ASOS DESIGN Satin midi tea dress, $76, ASOS
You’ll find us wearing this spring-ready midi whilst we lounge at a garden party drinking Pimms and enjoying some much-needed sun after a long winter.
Pull&Bear Long tie-dye dress, $65.99, THE ICONIC
Not every spring dress has to be pastel coloured or floral printed, this muted tie dye print alludes to that ‘natureverse’ and grungier aesthetics that Nicole said to look out for this season.
Striped waisted mini shirt dress, $150, COS
A t-shirt dress is so effortlessly stylish, and in a classic blue and white stripe – it’s so timeless you’ll never get sick of wearing it.
Drawstring detail dress, $89.99, H&M
Lean into the florals but go beyond the expected with this bright and abstract print from H&M. This dress can be worn casually or dress it up with a blazer and heels to bring some spring to the office.
&OtherStories Shirt dress, $115, THE ICONIC
This easy-to-style silhouette is perfect for laidback days, simply throw on anything from boots to sandals and you have a pulled-together and effortless look. Not to mention the lightweight linen fabric will leave you cool.
LEAD IMAGE: Getty /Jeremy Moeller, Christian Vierig, Edward Berthelot
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