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Romance is back, baby! This outfit post is dedicated to romantic dress options for Spring and Summer, including my personal favorite, the Wayf Darlene Ruffled Tier Dress ($148, on me, also here).
The last few years fashion and retailers have been dancing around the romantic, feminine preppy chic style I love. There were florals, but not necessarily pretty ones. Ruffles came back onto clothing in an overbearing way. Dresses got too long — an almost sister-wife degree of modesty.
Finally though stores seem to be figuring out that we don’t need ridiculous ruffles or crazy florals or modesty to the nth degree. We just want pretty clothing! I am so here for it.
I was inspired to seek out this lovely dress after seeing it on Elizabeth. It’s incredibly flattering on so many body types! She’s more petite while I am tall and I think the dress is lovely on both of us. I found myself in-between sizes in the dress. The large was too big on me up top, which was a surprise these days, but felt most comfortable over my hips. So I stuck with the large over the medium.
I just love all the tiers, the way the dress hugs my body in all the right places and the pastel color scheme! It’s easy to smile every time I see this frock in my closet!! There’s also a subtle sparkle to it that’s fantastic in the sun. I took it with me to Spain (a second OOTD is coming soon or follow me on Instagram to see it sooner) and wore it to my niece’s baptism party. I’ve found this dress works for so many occasions!
This Wayf dress inspired me to find more romantic dress options for Spring and Summer! What makes a dress romantic? To me they have three elements going for them. Firstly, these dresses come in a soft color such as light blue, pink or yellow. Secondly, they usually have a small floral print or some pattern on them that looks inviting. Thirdly, there may be an element such as tiers, ruffles or bows that lend an especially feminine feeling to the garment.
I have several dresses like this in my closet. To begin, Parker’s Vanna Dress ($398) meets all the requirements for romance and just so happens to look amazing on! Another dress that I just ordered for an upcoming wedding is Keepsake’s Sweet Love Asymmetrical Ruffle Midi Dress ($185). The layers of asymmetric tiers on this dress says feminine sweetly yet clearly. On the more casual side, I’m eyeing the ASTR Gabriella Dress ($49-$98) and Miss Me’s Off-Shoulder Mini Dress ($74). All of these dresses are available to try them for up to 7 days before you buy them!
A dress doesn’t have to be floral to be romantic. It doesn’t need to have tiers or ruffles either. In fact there are many romantic dress options for Spring and Summer that accomplish the romantic vibe via color, some special detail or simply its overall feeling. Madewell is a great place to look for dresses that accomplish the romantic vibe without being too quaint or girly. Their Crochet-Strap Tiered Midi Dress ($148), Princess-Seamed Maxi Dress ($128) and Button-Waist Wrap Midi Dress ($128, below) are all beautiful examples of this principle.
Of course, if you prefer more traditional romantic elements Madewell has those too! Some of my other favorite romantic dress options for Spring and Summer at Madewell include the Peekaboo-Sleeve Maxi Dress in Blossoming Vines ($118), the Orchard Flutter-Sleeve Dress in Confetti Floral ($98) and the Puff-Sleeve Wrap Midi Dress in Ikat Floral ($138). The Ruched-Waist Mini Dress in Star Shower (now $80) is nearly sold out but it’s one of my every week wears right now!
Below, more of my wishlist romantic dress options for Spring and Summer. Some of these I’ve tried on and some I’ve not. They all look promising! Have you found any great romantic pieces for Spring and Summer?
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So many great options! I love the ruffle dress you are wearing!
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Thank you! I'm wearing it practically every week!!
Ahhhh this made me so happy! YAY! The dress is absolutely STUNNING on you! I love it paired with the jean jacket. And you’re so right – pretty colors, ruffles and floral are always romantic but there are also many ways for clothing to still have a feminine or romantic vibe without all the obvious frills.
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Thanks again for the inspiration lady!! ?
I love the dress you are wearing and also the parker wanna dress! I may need to give the WAYF dress a try. A friend of mine is curvy (and not tall like you) and she raves about WAYF. Will be interesting to see if it is flattering on a straighter build.
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I think it will be, because the dress is more or less a column. The Parker dress is also SO good.
I love this trend! Your dress is beautiful, I also love how you styled it, you look fabulous!
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Thank you Cathy!
Gimme all the dresses! Love the Madewell one you shared. I need more options for humid working days.
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Seems like just a few days ago I was shopping for long sleeve shirts to stay warm and now yes I'm wishing I had more humidity-proof items!
What a darling outfit on you Thea! I love romantic spring dresses and I own far too many… but hey I love them all. 🙂
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Ha! I probably own so many too but I love the style so much, no complaints. 🙂
Your dress is really the perfect romantic style! I love the florals and tiered style. I might get it haha! And totally agree that a dress doesn't have to have florals to be feminine. Seriously how cute is that Madewell dress!
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Right?? The buttons are so perfect on it!
Love the pretty floral tiers on your dress! That was also one of my favorite streets to shoot on when I lived in NYC 🙂
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Thank you! I was surprised that the block wasn't crowded! We managed to sneak in before the crowds I think.
My favorite dresses to wear are those with lace. The ruffles you show are super cute!
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Good call! I love lace too, such an easy way to feel pretty.
That ruffle dress is you are wearing is so fun!
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Thank you! I just love ruffles so much.
So many lovely dresses to check out!
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This time of year, that's just what a girl needs!!
I'm loving all those ruffles! SO many gorgeous picks.
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Thanks Alix!!
I'm so on board with this style. I'm much more drawn to elegant, timeless styles that are feminine and flattering – less revealing. The dress you're wearing is so cute with the ruffles – and I love all the ones you linked!
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Yes! I gravitate towards stuff that flatters the body and brings out our inner light.
I love the ruffle skirt on your dress! SO pretty. Such great options for spring and summer.
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Yes when it's colder out I can wear it like a skirt for even more styling ideas, and I love that!
loving this dress! You look so amazing~
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Thank you so much Brittainy!!
This dress is beautiful. I love all things floral.
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Me too. So many different types of floral patterns this season.
Such a gorgeous dress for Spring and Summer! I am loving the layers and floral print!
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Thank you Kileen!!
Adorable! You look amazing in this dress. Love all the other options too. I'm a big fan of romantic and feminine and I agree, it doesn't always have to have ruffles or florals!
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Yes! I love that retailers are realizing this too.
I love those ruffles! SO cute!
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Ruffles are always a good idea.
Such cute choices! I love the ruffle tiered dress you have on! xo
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Thank you Suzanne!
This dress is sooo beautiful! I'm a sucker for a pretty dress with fun ruffles!
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Oh me too, it's like a magpie to sequins or shiny things!!
I'm loving this round-up, you found some great options. But I LOVE the ruffles on your dress!
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Thank you so much Anna!!
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Yes! The breeze catches the dress and it's like something out of a movie.
i adore wayf, so many beautiful options!
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They are killing it right now!
I love everything about your outfit! Its so perfect! You look amazing 🙂
I love all the ruffles on your dress! So cute!
This dress is seriously so pretty! I love the ruffles on it, it seriously looks so great on you! Loving all these other ones you picked for summer as well.
Wow all of these are gorgeous! But I love the one you're wearing, so pretty with the ruffles!