No Frills: The Best Dresses for Non-Dress People

Shop 24 dresses tailored to those individuals who just prefer pants.

No Frills: The Best Dresses for Non-Dress People

For most of my adult life, I haven’t particularly enjoyed wearing dresses. Maybe it’s the concepts of traditional femininity with which I tend to associate them, or perhaps it’s the pang of regret I feel when looking back at my prom photos (I’m sporting a rhinestone-embellished BCBG halter dress with a handkerchief hem). Either way, the cheerfully-colored, dainty styles that I see my friends embrace feel out of place in my minimalist, utilitarian wardrobe. And at nearly six feet tall, it’s always been easier for me to avoid dresses altogether than risk a length-related wardrobe malfunction.

I suspect much of my aversion has to do with the dearth of options available to me as an adolescent in the early 2000s. As most millennials can attest, the years 2000-2009 were a polarizing era in fashion history—when lace-trimmed camis, jersey knit dresses worn over tee shirts, and boot cut designer denim took center stage at most suburban high schools. Midi dresses had yet to make a meaningful reappearance, and nearly everything I liked was at least six inches too short.

As it turns out, dresses, like nearly everything else about the fashion industry, have evolved dramatically since 2008. Midi and maxi-length dresses are practically ubiquitous, and there are more than enough silhouettes, color palettes, and fabrics available to suit every preference. After nearly a decade spent avoiding anything without a waistband, these comfortable, minimalist shapes and styles finally have me rethinking my approach.

The Slip

My renewed affinity for dresses can be traced to the return of the slip dress a few years back (or, at the very least, my reintroduction to it). This minimalist, 1990s-inspired silhouette is the opposite of flouncy and can be dressed up or down to match the occasion. I’ve worn this Wilfred slip to work, to weddings, and everywhere in between.

Refine The Carolyn slip dress

Wilfred Only slip dress

Sourcery Label Stevie midi dress

Everlane The Japanese GoWeave slip dress

The Crochet Tank

Summer in New York means oppressive heat for months on end. But as anyone who lives here can attest, blocks of skyscrapers make for unexpected gusts of wind. These warm-weather knits are perfectly suited for a hot summer day but substantial enough to withstand those blustery urban weather patterns.

Intermix Preston sleeveless knit dress

A.L.C. Kaling waffle weave maxi tank dress

Victor Glemaud floral crochet mini dress

Zara long crochet dress

The Cardigan

These curve-hugging cardigans offer a snugger fit than their shorter counterparts. Wear them on their own, or unbuttoned over jeans and a tank.

Enza Costa rib knit cardigan midi dress

Staud Shoko sweater dress

Rag & Bone Pacey button down midi dress

Twin-Set cardigan dress

The Minimalist Knit

Can you tell I love knits? Whether you pair them with a leather jacket and sneakers or dress them up with your favorite mule, these tank dresses look seamlessly pulled together—minimal effort required.

Significant Other Goldie rib knit maxi dress

Zara belted knit dress

Remain Birger Christensen Gunilla ribbed-knit midi dress

Rag & Bone turtleneck mini dress

The Structured Shirt Dress

If and when we return to the office, I’d encourage everyone to take it slow—and by that I mean, cut yourself some slack when it comes to waistbands that aren’t made of elastic. What better way to look pulled together (and stay comfortable) than with a structured, forgiving, and office-friendly alternative?

Veronica Beard ruched stretch-cotton poplin mini dress

Everlane The Parklet shirt dress

Wilfred Blayze dress

Sandro dress with tailored collar

The Dress-Code Dress

It’s hard to remember a time when we had places to go, events to attend. But thanks to countless postponements, all signs are pointed to a 2022 jam-packed with weddings and events. Catch me doing the cha-cha slide in one of these versatile numbers.

Tove Solene organic cotton dress

Ganni floral print plissé georgette midi dress

Raey multi-seam twist-strap silk dress

Veronica Beard Briony wrap dress

This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Grace Stearns