Dress Season Is Here—36 Pretty Printed Ones Worth Purchasing
What images conjure springtime? Most might immediately fantasize about an idyllic warm day spent in a park among blooming tulip buds, but that's not the first thing that pops to the top of my mind. Sure, witnessing the seasons shift through nature is special, but for fashion people such as myself, those changes are always best represented through style. It's when we see the style set step back outside in the season's staples, most notably printed dresses. In my humble opinion, nothing visually represents the start of spring more than wearing a dress in one of the season's biggest print trends.
Hear me out. There's no better way to approach dressing for transitional temperatures and trends than by incorporating a printed dress into your spring wardrobe. If you're unsure which types of dresses will make for a great purchase long after springtime has passed, you'll want to keep reading. Ahead, I'm sharing a breakdown of the six print trends that will be big this spring based on their prevalence on the spring runways and among the style set. Plus, I've rounded up the best printed dresses based on each trend at every price point. No doubt, these dresses are sure to become the spitting image of spring for you.
1. Prim Polka Dots
What's one trend that's popped back up on the runway and in real life? Polka dots. Although we've seen this print become more prominent because it errs more on the classic side, any dress you buy in this print will be continually relevant.
Slip dresses are seasonless, so this printed one is a solid choice.
PSA: Polka-dot prints don't have to be black and white. You can deviate from the norm.
2. Siren Stripes
Without fail, stripes come back into style every spring, so it's no surprise that we've seen this print pop back up among fashion people and popular designer brands. Make no mistake. These stripes stand out from previous print trends. What makes them feel sharper is how they've manifested in more flattering forms—e.g., pinstripes and prim dress silhouettes—making them a favorable addition to any spring wardrobe.
Opt for thin, vertical pinstripes on a longer dress if you want to look taller.
Warning: Wearing this dress might make them green with envy.
The sweetheart bodice on this dress is so beautiful.
The high neckline will impress your HR department at work.
3. Artsy Abstracts
If you're not a maximalist, the easiest way to ease yourself into prints this spring is wearing an artsy abstract print. Simple geometric patterns in neutral colors will allow you to embrace printed dresses without going overboard.
The cutouts on the sides of this dress make the print even cooler.
A moment of silence for the beaded strap on this printed dress, please.
4. Fruits 'n' Veggies
What better way to satisfy your craving for prints this spring than with dresses decorated in fruits and veggies? Jokes aside, this print trend is great because it taps into the quintessential iconography associated with heading to the farmers market during the spring, making it on par with the theme for the season.
Everything about this dress is delicious—from the vegetable-inspired print to the buttons on the bodice to the drop-waist detail.
5. Florals Forever
I know what you're thinking. "Floral-print dresses for spring? Groundbreaking." But really, what other print can reflect the season being in full bloom? Rather than passing these frocks off as passé, try purchasing one with prettier details, like a trending neckline or pastel color. It's a surefire way to make them feel groundbreaking.
Pair this dress with strappy sandals and a raffia bag and you'll basically be Parisian.
6. Gorgeous Gingham
Gingham is the final print trend I've seen take off recently. Most might consider this checkered pattern a bit cliché, as it's been recreated in recent collections, but it's proved it can be chic. The key is to find a gingham-print dress that features more elegant elements—e.g., flattering necklines, minimal colors, long hemlines—to ensure it remains relevant in your everyday life for years to come.
Not only can you style this as a dress or skirt, but it also comes in two other colors. It's one of the most versatile pieces you can buy.
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a fashion editor living in New York City. What began as a hobby (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a career dedicated to storytelling through various forms of digital media. She started her career at the print publication 303 Magazine, where she wrote stories, helped produce photo shoots, and planned Denver Fashion Week. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked as MyDomaine's social media editor until she was promoted to work across all of Clique's publications (MyDomaine, Byrdie, and Who What Wear) as the community manager. Over the past few years, Jasmine has worked on Who What Wear's editorial team, using her extensive background to champion rising BIPOC designers, weigh in on viral trends, and profile stars such as Janet Mock and Victoria Monét. She is especially interested in exploring how art, fashion, and pop culture intersect online and IRL.
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