40+ Different Types Of Dresses
When it comes to dressing up for special occasions, the vast majority of women only do so when the event necessitates it.
There have been many changes in the fashion industry, notably in the haute couture scene. Due to the wide variety of fashionable designs, forms, styles, cuts, and lengths, selecting the proper dress outfits may be challenging.
No matter what your style is, there's definitely a dress that will suit you. So whether you're looking for a new go-to dress for work or an outfit for your next special occasion, keep reading to discover some of the most popular types of dresses out there.
40+ Different Kinds of Women Dresses To Choose From
No matter the event, your dress should be one that complements you and flatters your figure. It's also important to know what kind of style is right for you.
Here’s an extensive list of the most desirable dress types any fashionista would love to add to her wardrobe:
1. A-line Dress
The A-line dress form is reminiscent of the letter A. It begins at the shoulders and gradually widens until it reaches the hem. A-line bohemian skirts come in a variety of lengths, but the most common length is approximately the middle of the thigh. There are a variety of ways to define and fit your waist, but the hem is typically flared to give your silhouette the shape of an A.
2. Apron Dress
An apron dress is a sleeveless garment with an attached bib and skirt that looks like an apron. It can be worn over a dress or a pair of pants in any season because it works as an apron dress.
3. Asymmetrical Dress
Dresses with an asymmetrical hemline are sometimes referred to as high-low dresses. To make them seem more feminine, the hemlines of these dresses are cut shorter at the front than at the back. Figure-flattering, these gowns are ideal for women of all shapes and sizes.
4. Balloon Dress
Balloon dresses are those in which the bottom of the dress puffs up like a balloon when the hem is turned inwards.
5. Bouffant Dress
This floor-length gown is adorned with a plethora of ruffles. In a bouffant dress, the bodice can assume many different styles. The dress's full skirt is used to create the dress's bouffant design. It has a full skirt that stretches out from the waist down the length of the dress, creating a voluminous look.
6. Blouson Dress
Blouson dresses have a waistband cinched up at the wearer's natural waist and a loose bodice draping over the hips. Blouson-type dresses can be made in any length or style, and they are known for their flowing, draping, and breezy nature.
7. Bodycon Dress
Bodycon dresses are designed to hug your curves and show off your figure. They’re usually made from a stretchy material like Lycra, which helps them to cling to your body. Bodycon dresses can be short or long, but they’re usually quite fitted.
8. Babydoll Dress
The term "baby doll dress" refers to a short, charming dress with a fitted bodice and a loose, gathered skirt. This sort of dress is typically worn as a nightgown.
9. Bardot Dress
The Bardot dress is defined by its off-the-shoulder silhouette, which can be in any style. There is no set length or style of waist for the Bardot dress. For example, it can have no sleeves at all or long sleeves.
10. Dirndl Dress
The peasants of Europe used to dress in this style, which has been passed down through the generations. The dress has an apron with back or front lacing. The fitted top is paired with long sleeves and a skirt that ranges in length from calf-length to knee-high.
11. Debutante Dress
An evening gown without straps is the ideal debutante outfit. Conspicuous usage of vivid hues is uncommon here. They are usually white but can also be found in other pastel hues.
When wearing the dress out in public, long white gloves are customarily worn with it. Debutante gowns often have a sweetheart neckline shaped like the top curves of a heart.
12. Cocktail Dress
This short dress has a more formal style and is best suited for semi-formal gatherings. They tend to be shorter than knee-length and feature a figure-hugging cut. Cocktail dresses are known for their sheath silhouettes and sleeveless patterns.
13. Coat Dress
There are lapels and openings on both sides of a coat dress, like an overcoat. A single or double-breasted coat-like bodice covers the lower half of the dress. Skirt length can be adjusted to suit the wearer's needs. A blazer dress and a coat dress are very similar in terms of style and fit.
14. Corset Dress
The bust area of this dress is cinched up with a corset for a more flattering fit. It is the corset's lacing that gives the body its contours. In addition to being suited for formal events like prom, long corset dresses are also popular as wedding gowns.
15. Camisole Dress
Camisoles, which can be worn as nightgowns or slips, are reminiscent of this attire. Camisole dresses can also be produced in a longer length, which is generally worn over tops. As a layering piece, it may be worn over turtlenecks, sweaters, or plain t-shirts. It can also be worn with shoes, boots, or trainers.
16. Empire Waist Dress
This dress features a high waist and a tight bodice that reaches just below the bust. Afterward, the dress's silhouette is more fluid. An empire-waisted dress is one that is fitted at the breast but flows freely below the waist. It's typically made of satin or silk, and it lacks any sort of flair or heft to it.
17. Granny Dress
The term "granny dress" refers to an article of loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves. These dresses have long sleeves, a hemline that ends just above the ankle, and a high neckline. Their structure often includes light-colored fabrics and laces with ruffles and/or lace embellishments.
18. Halter neck Dress
A halter dress features a neck strap that goes from the front of the dress to the back, and this is what makes it a halter dress. The front of the dress is held in place by a halter-like strap that is worn around the wearer's neck.
19. Harem Dress
The harem dress is known for its loose fit and voluminous shape. This type of dress has a flared cut that narrows down to a sleek hem. It is typically made of flowing cloth. They're both trendy and comfortable, making them an excellent choice for those who want both.
20. Kaftan Dress
When it comes to fashion, kaftans are enormous dresses with billowing side seams. The entire garment, including the bodice and sleeves, is stitched together in one piece, and it usually comes to an end at the ankles or feet. Fasteners such as buttons are commonly utilized on the neckline.
21. Low or drop Waist Dress
This dress has a loose fit, and the skirt seam begins at the hips rather than at the natural waist. The drop waist dress, often known as the flapper dress, has a low waistline that sits closer to the hips than it does at the natural waistline.
22. Midi Dress
mid/keen-length dresses are other names for midi dresses. It is possible for midi dresses to have hemlines that fall anywhere from the knee to the calf.
23. Mini Dress
A mini dress is defined by its length. It's common for mini dresses to end at the mid-thigh. Dresses can be form-fitting or looser and more flared or any combination of the above.
24. Maxi Dress
Typically made from a loose-fitting fabric, this style can be worn as a full-length gown or tucked into boots. A maxi dress usually falls just above the ankle and has a full and voluminous skirt. However, Maxi dresses' most common bodice types include halters and strapless designs.
25. Mermaid Dress
There are a number of different styles of the mermaid dress, but they all have a bodice that is a little more form-fitting until the knee or just below. There is a snug fit throughout this dress's hips, waist, and bust. After a knee-length skirt, the dress skirt elegantly stretches to the ground.
26. Off Shoulder Dress
A dress without shoulder straps, shoulder seams, or sleeve caps. In this type of dress, the shoulder is exposed, and the sleeves and bodice both finish at the shoulder.
27. Princess Silhouette Dress
The silhouette of a princess is something that may often be seen in Disney movies. It is form-fitting at the top and waist, but it flows like a dream beneath the belly, which gives the princess-like ensemble its full effect.
Princess silhouette dresses do not require a waistline at all because they form themselves without the use of darts and instead do this by joining edges of various curvatures together.
28. Paneled Dress
The form-fitting upper part of the dress gradually widens toward the hem, while the lower half remains slim. This look is typically achieved through the use of panels. Designed with cap sleeves and side panels, the Panel Dress is similar to a shift dress. With a shift-like silhouette, it offers a loose fit.
29. Peasant Dress
Initially worn by the peasantry in Europe, this dress has raglan sleeves or relatively loose sleeves. When it comes to collars, they tend to be broad and often hang off the shoulders.
30. Pinafore Dress
Designed to be layered over boho tops or blouses, this dress features no collar, sleeves, or a low-cut neckline. Dungarees or pinafores were the denim pants of choice for people who worked in the fields.
31. Qipao Dress
The modern-day Qipao is figure-hugging and features an unusually high slit on the left and right sides. In general, the garment does not have sleeves, yet it may have bell sleeves in some cases. The average hemline is somewhat above the knee, with the exception of a low-cut neckline.
32. Shift Dress
A shift dress has a column effect that skims the body and drapes from the shoulders; it provides more space through the breast, waist, and hips than other dresses. Hourglass-shaped bodies look their best in shift dresses with a looser fit. If you have a large breast but a tiny waist, a shift dress with a flared hem is the best option. This will help you create proportional harmony.
33. Sheath Dress
A sheath dress is a style of form-fitting dress that is the ideal length and width, it has a cut that is straight and is nipped in at the waistline, yet there is no crease that can be seen. You may wear it to work or out on the town; the length can be altered to fall just above or below the knee.
With its form-hugging silhouette, sheath dresses often have side slits to allow the wearer to move freely. The sheath silhouette emphasizes your curves and is most suited to women with hourglass or curved body types, which have a thin waist, wide hips, and a large chest.
34. Shirt Dress
In this dress, the top piece has a collar and an open button placket at the front. The shirt dress was inspired by the collared, button-down dress shirts worn by males and later adopted by women.
35. Slip Dress
A slip dress is a dress that looks like a slip and can be worn on the inside as an extra layer. A slip dress is usually paired with an overdress. In addition to spaghetti straps, slip dresses may have a low neckline and a plunging hemline.
36. Strapless Dress
It refers to a type of dress that does not have shoulder straps to keep it in place. This type of dress is supposed to be form-fitting.
37. Skater Dress
This is a dress with a sleeveless bodice and a flared and circular skirt. The hemline of the dress is usually not longer than the thighs. They have an A-line shape with a defined waist.
38. Sweater Dress
The term "sweater dress" refers to a long sweater that can be worn as a dress on its own. It's common for this type of dress to hit the knee. Sweater dress patterns are designed to resemble long sweaters with pullover necklines in the fashion industry.
39. Swing Dress
The swing dress is inspired by the rock and roll culture. A swing dress features a fitted top around the bust that flares to a knee or above a knee-length hem.
40. Tent Dress
It has a baggier silhouette and is often worn shorter because of its tent-like look and free-flowing drapes from the shoulders. Summer season is a great time to wear a light and billowy dress.
41. Tunic Dress
Tunics are loose-fitting tops with exposed sides. Tunic dresses can feature either long or short sleeves and a looser fit compared to other dress styles. Slits on the sides are also common. Most tunic dresses fall just above the knee and resemble a massive overstuffed shirt.
42. Trapeze Dress
This type of dress has a tent-like appearance and feels to it. While the neckline and bust are tightened, the rest of the dress, including the skirt, is left loose and flowing. The typical length of a trapeze dress is just above the knee.
The silhouette of a trapeze dress is equally triangular, but it begins at the shoulders and extends out across the wearer's form rather than at the waist.
43. Wrap Dress
This garment has an asymmetrical closure as a distinguishing characteristic. Typically, one side of the dress is draped over the other, and a tie is used to close the front. With a modern, elegant, and classy appearance, dresses that are wrapped around the wearer's body are timeless and will never go out of style.
44. X-ray Dress
Clothes like these are typically constructed from sheer or translucent fabrics like lace, chiffon, organza, and others. It is clearly see-through. Take a lot of courage to wear one ladies.
45. Yoke Dress
This is a type of dress that has a yoke, or band of fabric, around the neckline. This band can be made from a variety of materials, including lace, ribbon, or even a strip of fabric. The yoked dress might feature a front, back, or both yokes.
Conclusion
There are different types of dresses to choose from if you want something to wear out. It may be challenging to sort through all of the possibilities on one's own because different styles of clothing work for different body types, weather conditions, and events.
This guide is to help you decide the best short and long dress styles for any occasion. Choose from the above-mentioned comprehensive list of different dress styles, such as shifts, a-lines, and wraps, to discover something that flatters your figure and is on-trend.
