Maxi Dresses Don't Have To Be Boho – Try These Minimal Styles

— @sir__

It’s true what they say: be careful what you wish for. Throughout the winter, I longed for warmer, sunnier days, but now that the temperatures in New York have hit above 60 degrees, I’ve somehow forgotten how to put together a springtime outfit. Tired of my blazer and jeans or lightweight cardigan and trousers combos, I want to embrace the season without the stress of figuring out what pieces to pair together. Enter maxi dresses, a one-and-done look that offers enough coverage for spring’s unpredictable crisp mornings, but breezy enough for balmy afternoons. Perhaps the biggest draw of this dress length is that my bare skin won’t touch the subway seats on my commute to the office.

While maxi dresses aren’t a new silhouette, I’ve often steered clear from them because most options typically lean boho, which doesn’t work with my personal style. But as the weather forecasts get warmer by the week, I need to add some more seasonally-appropriate pieces into my closet. So I’ve scoured the internet for maxi dress options that are sleek, minimal, and in line with current fashion trends.

Ahead, the dresses I plan on adding to my cart to help me get through spring and beyond.

Ramona Dress

Doen

Slightly retro but not too whimsical, Doen’s polka dot number is ridiculously easy to throw and on go. I’d wear it with ballet flats, loafers, or mules now, and some knee-high boots come fall.

Goo Dress

Sandy Liang

I’m still not sick of the red fashion trend, so Sandy Liang’s tomato maxi dress instantly caught my eye. The pleated silhouette is an elevated take on the coquette aesthetic, too.

Affogato Halter Dress

SIR.

I’m manifesting a vacation on the Amalfi Coast this summer, and SIR.’s chocolate brown linen halter dress is on my vision board.

Bellini Maxi Dress Biscotti

Faithful The Brand

Call it a positive side effect of spring’s longer, sunnier days. Recently, I’ve been stepping outside the comfort zone of my mostly neutral wardrobe and wear more vibrant colors. A long-sleeve marigold maxi dress would be a great addition to the mix.

Fluid V Neck Dress

Toteme

A breezy white linen blend dress you can wear on a mid-week office day or on a routine weekend stroll to the farmer’s market.

The Genus Satin Dress

Sleeper

Complete with a white rosette on the deep V neckline, this pale pink satin Sleeper slip dress is the embodiment of spring.

Serena Dress

Ciao Lucia

A black slip dress is a warm-weather staple that gets me through the spring and summer seasons year after year. The keyhole cutout and subtle embroidery make this one feel special.

The Gia Dress

Realisation Par

Not that it ever really left, but animal prints are having a moment this season. In lieu of a jacket or accessories, I’m going all in with a zebra print maxi dress complete with bell sleeves. Not only would this Realisation Par number pair well with loafers, ballet flats, or sandals, it can also be elevated with some heels.

Penelope Maxi Polo Dress

Anna Quan

Call it the Zendaya effect, but I’m suddenly gravitating towards sporty-inspired pieces after her The Challengers press tour run. This sage green knit polo dress falls into the athletic aesthetic without reading too literal.