Five perfect dresses for understated dressers

Understated dressers may be feeling a little left out right now. With the rise and rise of brands like Rixo and Ganni, sometimes it feels almost impossible to find a dress that doesn’t have a riot of pattern or a multitude of frills. But what if you’re a woman with a pared-back sense of style who wants to feel and look feminine but fears appearing girlish and frothy if you don a dress?

There are still brands that cater for a more restrained aesthetic. They may not be all over Instagram right now, but for me, that’s in their favour. Here are five dresses I think are an understated dresser’s dream.

With minimal detailing and a loose but not baggy silhouette, this shirtdress from Arket is perfect for women who like to keep this simple.

Lyocell nylon belted dress, €99 at arket.com

This dress has no frills or fuss, just a stunning colour and body-flattering shape. This gorgeous shade of green is proving a really popular colour this season. Cos is calling it Woodbine Green.

Long silk dress, €175 at Cos

Pointelle detailing along the neckline, sleeves and skirt add subtle interest to this Jason Wu dress. The traditional fit-and-flare silhouette looks classic and chic.

Pointelle-trimmed stretch-knit midi dress, Jason Wu, €425 at net-a-porter.com

A minimal silhouette works beautifully with a vibrant colour such as this cobalt blue (a very flattering shade on pale skin tones). I love how this dress has been paired with matching wide-leg trousers. It transforms the dress into more of a tunic, which is ideal for women with a boyish style who struggle to make dresses fit in seamlessly with their look.

Giselle dress, €60 at weekday.com

With a strong masculine hit off it that’s balanced by an A-line skirt shape, this shirtdress offers an unfussy but feminine option for both work or leisure.

Cream shirtdress, €129 at Massimo Dutti