Credit: Images courtesy of brands
With its universally flattering shape and varied styles, the tiered dress is the summer staple we have been waiting for.
The perfect summer dress is one of life’s most elusive searches. I’ve lost hours fantasising about such a dress – the places I would wear it, the holidays I would take it on, the people who would compliment it. Such a dress would be timeless, it would be easy to wear, it would look as good on the beach as it would a hot day in the city, and it would be affordable.
It’s a big ask and many dresses have fallen short – even that Zara dress couldn’t tick all of those boxes – so I was beginning to lose all hope of such a dress ever existing in my wardrobe. Enter the tiered dress, of which Asos sold 18,000 last year.
Taking on the aesthetic of the increasingly popular smock-dress made famous by Cecilie Bahnsen, and mixing in an element of flounce, it’s no wonder why these dresses have been so incredibly popular.
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A universally flattering shape, the tiered element to the dress adds a feminine detail that even the most pared-back of dressers can get on board with. The shape works just as well in block colour as it does in print – everything from gingham to animal print is catered to. When it comes to hem length, it’s the midi and maxi that work best with this style of dress – the longer the length, the more tier time you get. The biggest get? The entire high street is loving this style, so it won’t break the bank.
We’ve rounded up eight of the best to kick-start your summer wardrobe.
Y.A.S embossed midi dress with tiered skirt and puff sleeves
With its easy-to-wear shape and puffed sleeves we can see why this tiered dress has been such a spring summer smash hit.
Shop Y.A.S embossed midi dress with tiered skirt and puff sleeves, £75
Free People Mockingbird maxi dress
With its pretty ankle-grazing length, Free People’s rust-hued tiered sun dress makes for a versatile addition to any wardrobe. Wear with high top trainers and a black denim jacket for a tougher look, or dress it up with fine layers of gold jewellery and barely-there sandals.
Rixo Pip tiered floral-print fil coupé cotton maxi dress
With a ditsy floral print, we can’t wait to be wearing this tiered Rixo dress with a pair of high-top trainers and an Aperol in hand.
Shop Rixo Pip tiered floral-print fil coupé cotton maxi dress, £128
Asos Design Curve shirred tiered maxi dress in cream floral print
This floor-grazing floral frock is as pretty as they come. We’ll be wearing ours with chunky sandals once the sun puts her hat on again.
Shop Asos Design Curve shirred tiered maxi dress in cream floral print, £35
Matteau The Triangle tiered organic-cotton dress
It doesn’t come any more summer ready than Matteau’s viral tiered dress. We’re loving it in the bubblegum pink shade, which we’ll dress up with wedged espadrilles and down with chunky trainers.
& Other Stories voluminous puff sleeve midi dress
With its many tiers, this & Other Stories dress is full of volume. Keep the rest of your look minimal, a simple pair of gold hoops and a straw bag will do the trick.
Shop & Other Stories voluminous puff sleeve midi dress, £135
Warehouse gingham scallop frill tiered midi dress
Gingham continues to be a one of the most popular prints of the summer; throw this Warehouse dress on with black cowboy-style ankle boots and a pair of classic sunglasses for an effortlessly cool take on the trend.
Pink City Prints Rah Rah midi dress
With this pretty cornflower blue print, we can’t get enough of this Dorothy-esque Pink City Prints dress, which we’ll be wearing off the shoulder with a basket bag in hand.
Shop Pink City Prints Rah Rah midi dress at The Beach Cafe, £165
Mango x Chufy printed maxi dress
Mango’s latest collaboration with Sofia Sanchez de Betak’s brand, Chufy, is brimming with flowing tiered silhouettes and summer-ready prints. All its ankle-grazing dresses need is lashings of gold bling and an Aperol for optimal summer style points.
Images: courtesy of brands
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