8 ways to do spring dresses

From fresh florals to iridescent metallics – here’s our guide to this season’s dresses.

Words: Nana Baah

Put away the puffer coats, it’s time to venture into the new season and have fun with dresses. For SS23, designers experimented with textures, prints and cuts. Read on for eight ways to wear them this season.

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1. Go indigo

Denim is dominating this season’s collections: double-denim outfits, distressed denim accessories and dresses were everywhere. Whether you go maxi or mini, there are endless opportunities to find your unique way to wear denim. Dress for brunch in this relaxed Valentino dress or amp up the playful energy in Giuseppe di Morabito’s crystal-strewn mini.

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VALENTINO - Brand-plaque relaxed-fit denim maxi dress

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN - Cut-out distressed denim mini dress

GIUSEPPE DI MORABITO - Crystal-embellished halterneck denim mini dress

OFF-WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH - Toybox relaxed-fit denim shirt mini dress

Dries Van Noten SS23

2. In full bloom

Spring wedding-guest florals have gone from dainty to daring. Dries Van Noten, the godfather of florals, dipped into his archive of prints from previous seasons, reworking them into fresh combinations. Go bold with the designer’s print-clashing midi or look to Alberta Ferretti for brightly coloured appliqués on long-sleeve maxi dresses.

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3. Unleash the goddess

For this season’s take on the classic little black dress, designers are encouraging us to fulfil our goddess fantasies, creating draped and gathered silhouettes. These subtle updates – slashed hems at Off-White and asymmetry at Jil Sander – add something unexpected, but the overall effect is still timeless. Expect to wear these again and again.

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OFF-WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH - Draped-panel ruched stretch-crepe mini dress

ALAIA – Halterneck open-back stretch-woven maxi dress

JIL SANDER - Draped high-neck rayon midi dress

LITKOVSKA - Young Bloom cut-out woven midi dress

16Arlington SS23

4. Add some sparkle

Sequins are made for going out. 16Arlington and Nensi Dojaka are both known for dresses worn on red carpets and fashion week after-parties – their sequin-drenched maxi dresses will be showstoppers at any big events you have coming up. For more low-key dinners and drinks, Self-Portrait’s mini dress is perfect, with just a sprinkling of sparkle.

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16Arlington SS23

5. Smooth like silk

Y2K is here to stay – cue the noughties-inspired silk and satin dresses that could pass as vintage. Conner Ives’ bias-cut dress was inspired by the designer’s all-American high school experience; while KNWLS’ simple baby-pink dress looks just as fitting now as it would have two decades ago.

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KNWLS - Spira V-neck stretch-silk mini dress

NENSI DOJAKA - Cut-out sheer-panel stretch-silk mini dress

CONNER IVES - Sexy Fish asymmetric silk-blend midi dress

ATTICO - Becky halterneck satin mini dress

Rick Owens SS23

6. Shine on

Metallics were out in full force on the SS23 runways, from dark iridescent oil-slick dresses at Rick Owens to soft pearlescent colours at Bally. Usually reserved for the festive period, metallics in spring are a sign that we’re still embracing post-pandemic fun. Alaïa’s glittering version of a classic halterneck dress is made for partying.

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7. Have a spring fling

A new season is prime time for a refresh, and renting is a great way to experiment with your personal style. From bold printed women’s dresses to adventurous sheer styles for nights out, Selfridges Rental is where to look for no-commitment pieces to take for a test drive.

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AUNE COLLECTIONS - Abstract-print cowl-neck fitted mesh midi dress

CULT GAIA - Dari floral-pattern silk-blend maxi dress

OFF-WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH - Ruffled crepe mini dress

JACQUEMUS - Mentalo open back satin gown

Prada SS23

8. Get grunge

The ongoing 90s revival means understated, easy-to-style slip dresses are firmly back on our radar. Simple, strappy and edged in metallic chains, Paco Rabanne’s slip is perfect for special occasions. For a slip that can multitask, styling-wise, look to Acne Studios’ black maxi: layer it over a bold T-shirt in the day and add heels to dress it up for the evening.

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