admin Wearing a dress is one of the most seamless ways to put an outfit together—especially in spring and summer—so having a few in rotation is the simplest way to guarantee style with ease. However, finding one that ticks the trifecta of boxes (your ideal silhouette, style, and budget) isn’t as straightforward.
Enter our edit of small labels and brands offering a stylish selection of dresses that won’t break the bank. You won’t find widely known high-street shops on this list of affordable dress brands, either. Instead, we hope you’ll discover a handful of new labels to shop for every occasion for which you might need a dress—be it minimalist knit styles from The Line by K to Significant Other’s festive, modern frocks.
Below, our shopping guide on where to buy affordable dresses online. They all hit the $100 to $300 sweet spot, and we’ll say it’s a really good place to start.
Juliet Dunn London focuses on beachwear and lightweight sundresses through the use of artful dyeing techniques, unique embroideries and block printing, all done by hand by skilled artisans in India. The entire line is sure to spark wanderlust.
Inspired by the quiet elegance of a Bohemian beach lifestyle, Eywasouls Malibu incorporates fabrics, prints and colors inspired by ocean waves and golden sands of beaches into every design. Vibrant maxi dresses are their forte and a can’t miss buy for summer, vacations, and more.
Clean and classic, organic cotton basics are the foundations of Amsterdam-based brand, Flore Flore. Founded by Flòrian van Zuilen, find flattering cuts and comfortable shapes that are made to be worn over and over.
D’Ascoli blends both ancient and modern techniques when creating each dress in their design studio in India. Bohemian-inspired silhouettes are made using everything from digital print processes to hand embroidery, resulting in truly distinct, one-of-a-kind garments.
Founder Samantha Cameron was a prominent accessories designer before creating Cefinn, a London-based brand that specializes in womenswear that can be worn from 9-to-5 and beyond. Dresses are a focal category for the brand, whose attention to high-quality fabrics makes for a standout choice.
Look to Australian label Significant Other’s elevated, beachwear-inspired styles for upcoming getaways and summer festivities. Their relaxed shapes, often with bodycon silhouettes and cutout detailing, are flattering to the form and downright cool.
Sydney-based, slow fashion line Posse creates extremely desirable silhouettes with an elegant, modern feel. You’ll find everything from summery slip dresses to bodycon jerseys, all crafted with a “less is more” philosophy that highlights the female form.
For a touch of modern romance you can wear all year round, think En Saison. The brand’s sundresses often feature feminine silhouettes, with puffed sleeves, smocking, and frills aplenty. Florals are a focal point too, further enhancing the dreamy vibes of every collection.
Community is at the core of U.K.-based Ninety Percent’s ethos, which vowed to distribute 90% of all profits between the people that make each collection and a few charities. Think of these dresses as elevated wardrobe essentials, thanks to the quality, craft, and care that goes into each piece.
Favorite Daughter was founded by sisters Erin and Sara Foster, who dreamt of creating items they wished they had in their closets. The lineup of sweet floral dresses, slinky slips, and ribbed knit midis are actually super wearable.
Australian roots and a cult following have made Merryn Kelly’s label Third Form an up-and-coming success story. Marrying progressiveness and practicality within each and every design, the brand’s minimalist silk slips are customer favorites.
Model Elsa Hosk’s passion project, Helsa, is a contemporary line heavily influenced by her family and Scandinavian roots. Styles like sheer shirt dresses and modern evening wear keep customers coming back for more, drop after drop.
By now, you have probably heard of the Nap dress—the smocked silhouette made famous by Hill House Home’s founder Nell Diamond—but the brand also offers a collection of dresses in various silhouettes, that will take you from brunch to a dinner party in no time flat.
Achieve that California ease with billowy styles from Lacausa, whose attention to detail and ethics keep sustainable practices at the forefront. We can’t help but gravitate towards the 100% cotton dresses that have a Bohemian edge and volume galore, ideal for the hottest days of the year.
Extensive market research and trial and error led stylist Chloé Bartoli to produce Éterne, a seasonless line of highly-crafted essentials. The buttery soft, tube dresses are a mainstay for the brand, coming in a variety of necklines, hem lengths, and neutral colorways.
Out of Barcelona, Paloma Wool offers a laid-back assortment of funky, knit pieces with Spanish influence and craftsmanship. Draped, bodycon silhouettes are their specialty, and this season’s moody masterpieces are nothing short of mesmerizing.
Fashion is all about playful contrasts, for Copenhagen-based creative directors, Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave. Their line of covetable dresses and ready-to-wear essentials hark on texture, print, and bold color.
Dashing hues and vibrant patterns are what make Essentiel Antwerp so unique. Look to the brand for whimsical, summer-ready dresses, inspired by founders Esfan Eghtessadi and Inge Onsea’s love for color and curiosity.
Karla Deras’s line of minimalist-centric designs offers sleek yet comfortable styles that accentuate the body. Ethically made in LA, The Line by K is best known for stretch cotton and modal dresses, which take luxe basics to another level.
British label ME+EM was created by Clare Hornby, in order to redefine modern luxury for busy women. There is a simplicity and versatility to every garment, allowing all of these dresses to go from day to night, with a change of accessories.
James Perse has been a go-to for basics by stylists and celebs alike for years, but they also have an impressive array of dresses that range from body hugging, jersey-cotton silhouettes to linen sundresses, all with comfort in mind.
Designed by a sister duo straight out of London, Amy Lynn’s vibrant, party-ready shapes make the brand a must-try. Everything is produced in a family-owned factory in the UK, ensuring an ethical production process, and with most styles averaging around $200, you may just end up snagging a few.
Another Aussie brand, Deiji Studios (meaning ‘daisy’ in Japanese), has quickly risen to fame thanks to comfortable, linen and cotton fabrications, that blur the lines between loungewear and ready-to-wear. Hypoallergenic, breathable, and biodegradable – what is not to love?
French for sister, Soeur was created by Domitille and Angélique Brion, with the hopes of bringing timeless yet relevant wardrobe pieces to women of all generations. Travel and artisanal details can be seen through the uncomplicated tunic and shirt dress silhouettes.
Purposeful design and responsible production are at the forefront of Sean Venturi’s vision for Venroy, whose offerings are 90% made from pure linen, an eco-friendly fiber that is completely biodegradable. Classic construction makes all of these dresses everlasting wardrobe staples.
Quiet luxury is the essence of the Massimo Dutti brand and has been since its origins in 1985. High-quality fabrics in straightforward shapes make for dresses that you’ll turn to often and will remain in your closet for years to come.
Creative director Katie Kolodinski has been perfecting the art of the ‘90s slip dress, since establishing Silk Laundry in 2015. The brand’s effortless dresses (made primarily from, you guessed it… silk) were designed to be worn on rotation weekly.
Based in Milan, Emily Levine focuses on timeless silhouettes through a slow fashion process, celebrating Old World techniques and artisanal production processes. The results are effortless, airy dresses you will want to wear on the daily.
Par & Escala is founder Iara Viñuales’ passion project inspired by her travels and personal dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship. Natural dyes, block printing and other artisanal techniques are embedded into each garment that have a modern bohemian, nomadic feel.
