While New Yorkers often head east for a summer filled with pickle ball, champagne and linen sets, those who camp out at home know one rule is imperative as the days get longer and significantly warmer: your key to surviving is dressing smartly. Pack up your jeans and fold your boucle quiet luxury dresses elsewhere if you’re staying in the city—this summer, the only trend that seems to matter to anyone is delicate, soft, breezy smocked and shirred dresses.
While the romantic style has been around for ages, it girls new and alike have been turning to it for a no-frills, easy summer outfit recipe. Just throw on your smocked dress of choice, slip-on footwear and a raffia bag for a look that’ll rival even the coolest girls on the Italian coast.
Below, browse styling inspirations for the best smocked dresses and shop some of the prettiest picks.
What you need: white smocked dress and crotchet bag
What you need: sunglasses and a smocked tube dress
What you need: a delicate, puff-sleeve smocked mini dress
What you need: a contrast-stitched smock dress and colorful makeup
What you need: a full-length smocked dress and summer sandals
What you need: a strapless smocked dress and a lightweight knit to throw over your shoulders
This dress (seen above) is an obvious favorite choice.
I’m loving this laid-back Grecian-inspired pick.
Simply goregous.
This muted eggplant color looks so good with black accessories.
This dress is currently en-route to me as we speak.
Smocked dresses and a drop waist? This summer’s two biggest dress trends combined equal my favorite find on this list.
Ciao Lucia is the cool girl brand everyone (including myself) is pining over now.
For under $20, this dress is a must-have for anyone looking for a chic, easy outfit to add into their closets.
Pretty in pink.
Sea’s summer offerings are anything but boring: this simple sweetheart dress puts a fun twist into the smocked trend with an exaggerated, long bodice.
A need, not a want.
Everyone loves this classic Sndys dress.
Don’t shy away from color this season.
I think I actually need this dress in my life in order to survive.
Love.
Dôen’s summer line-up is straight out of a fashion fairytale.
Big day for girls who can’t say no to beautiful white dresses.
Chic.
I’m loving how timeless this silhouette is.
Reformation never comes to play with their adorable floral-printed dresses.
The bows on this pick are simply *chef’s kiss*.
If you’re looking for something a bit more understated, this black mini with a smocked neckline seems like the perfect pick.
Ref can do no wrong when it comes to picking their florals in my eyes.
This butter yellow smocked strapless number is just speaking to me.
The side cut-outs on this find are the perfect way to show a little extra skin this summer—I apologize for the tan-lines in advance!
The simplest way to make puff sleeve dresses feel extra 2023? Chambray fabrics.
After seeing this Tory Burch dress, I practically had to pick my jaw off the ground.
Not going to lie, I’m a massive Hill House stan.
This dress just screams summer holiday.
The Ganni team always impresses me with their incredible on-trend dress offerings.
