5 Types of Dresses Every Woman Needs In Their Closet

style tips Mar 24, 2022

Many women have swapped their dresses for more comfortable jeans, culottes, or jumpsuits, but there is a certain magic to dresses we can't deny. Some types of dresses always find a way back into our closet and tempt us with their flowy fabric, delicate ruffles, or jovial colors. Due to their versatility and flattering lines, dresses make for the easiest choice whenever we want to make a bold statement at the office, impress the parents, or go out on a date.

Easy to accessorize and slip into, dresses save us when we're tight on time or lack the inspiration to mix and match layers. Chic or professional, classy or daring, it seems there is nothing dresses can't achieve if they put their mind to it. And when chosen wisely to compliment our body type and highlight our physical traits, dresses can reinvent our look, flatter our silhouette, and boost our self-confidence.

In other words, you could wear a dress to every event and always look gorgeous. If we were to take things a bit further, we would say that you can wear the same dress to every outing and only change the accessories, and you would turn heads every time. But we won't do that. We know you don't like the idea of owning just one dress when the fashion world spoils us with so many choices. So, let's stick to a few of them, all must-have dresses for a functional wardrobe, always ready to serve you, regardless of the fashion mission ahead.

1. Little black dress

We'll start at the beginning and turn our attention to the classiest type of dress of all time. The little black dress will always be a must-have for every woman who loves fashion and knows that when in doubt, less is more. Iconic, versatile, and, above all, tremendously elegant, our LBD tells stories of Coco Chanel and her innate sophistication and bases its origin story in a calf-length, sheath dress, always with long sleeves.

Times have changed since 1926 when it first took over the podiums, and now we have an abundance of little black dresses interpretations to choose from, but we will always favor the fitted little black dress with a shorter hemline and long sleeves.

The pencil dress is a fabulous reinterpretation of the little black dress and the fastest way to impress someone. Whether you wear it with a plunging neckline or with a turtleneck, the little black dress manages to say a thousand words without ever needing a frill or flounce. Under its minimalist lines and apparently modest demure, the little black dress hides a tsunami of sexiness.

2. Midi dress

Whether you're getting ready for a business event or a cocktail party, you can't go wrong with a midi dress. Midi dresses can end anywhere from the knee to the mid-calf, but the effect will always be the same: understated elegance with a hint of casual, the ideal choice whenever you are not exactly sure of the formality of the event.

A derivation of the midi skirt, the first midi dresses appeared in the 1970s and have never left the fashion arena. And there's no surprise here! Comfortable yet smart, elegant yet easy to wear, midi dresses make for great cocktail outfits, especially if they show off your slender figure. With or without pockets, black or colorful, made from knit fabric, jersey, or cotton, midi dresses await where comfort meets fanciness and versatility meets classiness.

An irresistible combo that will always find its place in a woman's wardrobe, the midi dress can have any neckline or sleeve length you wish and is an inspired choice for any body shape. Whether you opt for an A-line dress, ribbed knit bodycon dress or t-shirt dress, your midi dress will always prove to be more helpful than you initially thought.

3. Maxi dress

No, the maxi dress is not obsolete nor canceled! Taking over the fashion scene back in the 1960s when Oscar de la Renta decided to revolutionize the fashion world, the maxi dress may have slipped in obscurity for a moment there, but it has now made a huge comeback, and it is here to stay. Maxi dresses have femininity and nonchalance incorporated into their DNA and surprise with their versatility and impact on the audience.

A maxi dress is an ankle-length dress, often boasting a full, voluminous skirt, that comes in handy whenever you want to be a little more dressed up or want to add a touch of peaceful drama to your ensemble. Among the most popular styles of maxi dresses, you'll find the strapless dress, halter dress, or sleeveless dress, all flowey expressions of yourself that go perfectly with a variety of shoes.

You can wear them with a cardigan for a more casual note, with boots for a hippie vibe, or with sandals and long jewelry for a summery, breezy look. A day by the pool, an outing with friends, or a spring walk, all are great excuses to show off your maxi dress and cool attitude.

4. Evening dress

The territory of the evening dress is vast and complex. From the sophisticated knee-length evening dress to the ball gown, evening dresses come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. Yes, we know, you'll wear your evening dress rarely, and why bother with it anyway, but think about it! Your cousin's cousin is getting married! Or your partner is invited to a big gala, and they want you to accompany them! Formal events call for fancy dresses, and it wouldn't hurt to have one or two in there, just in case.

You don't want to panic whenever you hear the word "formal" or "black tie" and impulsively buy the first floor-length gown that fits. Having a couple of evening dresses in your wardrobe will help you save time and money when the moment comes to attend a formal event. Furthermore, it will give you time to choose a gown that compliments your body type. For evening wear we usually recommend one of two things: either have 1 to 2 go-to outfits that are neutral (blues, greys, even a dark green) that can be changed up with accessories or make your life easier and lean on rental services like Rent-the-Runway for one-off events.

Athletic body types can choose a dress that balances the upper body and adds volumes to the hips, preferably a skater dress or vintage-style flapper dress. Hourglass figures look splendid in dresses that highlight their well-defined waist, like a mermaid dress or bodycon dress, but we recommend avoiding the empire waist style or baby doll dresses. A pear-shaped figure should opt for a strapless version of the little black dress, a one-shoulder dress, or a maxi dress with a gently flared or flowing skirt, while apple body types should invest in a dress style with a shorter hemline that draws all eyes on the legs.

5. Mini dress

Mini dresses had their share of glory back in the 80s and 90s and have laid low for a while only to be brought to life in the 2020s. The mini dress is no longer considered as scandalous and frivolous as it was back in 1965 when model Jean Shrimpton showed off her legs at the Melbourne Cup, but many women still think they need a grain of courage to wear it!

Shorter dresses are an excellent option for women who love their legs and are self-confident. Mini dresses have been created for women who feel good while wearing them and don't mind turning heads along the way. If you've got it, flaunt it, we say, but do it with elegance. There's a fine line between sexiness and bad taste, so do your research, follow the fashion trends, and choose mini dresses that compliment your personal style.

Your favorite mini dress may be the dress that best represents who you are or the dress you get out whenever you want to "weaponize" your look. It can be a casual mini dress for fun days out in the summer or even that long-sleeved mini dress you like to wear at a semi-formal event with a pair of elegant stilettos. Mini dresses are all about freedom and joy, so you should never let anyone tell you not to wear one if you so wish!