An outfit piece that should be definitive in your summer or autumn wardrobe is a smocked dress. One of the simplest ways to carry your favorite dress trends of the year into a new season is to choose the best-smocked dresses. Why? The dresses are a chic addition to your closet and give your waist the ultimate cinched look, just like the gorgeous Kim-K. The stretchy gathered material, most frequently around the dress's waist or bodice, serves as a distinguishing feature of a smocked dress. The smocking gives the garment a cozy framework that is both flattering and not overly restrictive. 

Our contributor Leanne Lee, Fashion Stylist and Buyer at Blue Bungalow - a women's clothing boutique, says, “Smocked dresses are timeless due to their comfort and ease of wear. They might ebb and flow in mainstream fashion trends, but they maintain a place due to their versatility and feminine silhouette.”

Cottage-core-inspired frocks and midi dresses come in an array of designs and neck cuts for you to choose from. And can be worn with a cardigan or under a jumper and with or without tights or leggings, depending on the weather. These handpicked smocked dresses boast versatility and robust styles that will continue well into the fall season next year, too. Keep scrolling to shop our favored finds.

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  Editor’s Pick

  PRETTYGARDEN Women's Smocked Maxi Dress

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This comfy yet sophisticated dress is among the best choices if heading for a picnic or wandering the streets of Peru. It provides a lightly smocked waist design with a loose maxi fit with a back-button closure. The dress is made of plush and comfortable polyester fibers that enhance breathability in every weather. We loved the tier-ruffled hem with A-line design which adds a flowy silhouette wherever you go. If heading for a low-key event but want to steal the show, then you must buy this chic dress.

Size: S-XXL

Color:  Floral red brown

Material: 97% polyester and 3% spandex

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Most Trendsetting Choice

Glamaker Women's Smocked Maxi Dress

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This jade green smocked dress features a flattering square neckline and a subtle tiered long skirt. Made with 100% polyester, the dress is quite soft and lightweight despite having an inner lining for a non-see-through design. The dress is adorned with whimsical little dots on the fabric that adds character to the overall boho-chic aesthetic. Though it has no zips or buttons, the smocked waistline is quite stretchable for anyone to wear with ease. 

Size: S-XL

Color: Green

Material: 100% polyester

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Best for Hourglass Body Shape

BerryGo Women's Smocked Bodycon Dress

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BerryGo’s subtle and urbane apricot-smocked dress features a puff-sleeve off-shoulder bodycon pattern that is sure to make heads turn whenever you wear it. The body-hugging style is crafted from plush and breathable cotton material, making it the perfect dress to add to your closet. It is available in 24 beautiful colors that resemble spring and autumn, making it the most appropriate pick for any occasion or event you have planned.

Size: S-XL

Color: Apricot

Material: 100% cotton

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Best for Inverted Triangle Body Shape

GRACEVINES Women’s Smocked Midi Dress

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This flower-patterned cocktail dress boasts spaghetti straps and a simple flowy design that is perfect for the beach or a simple backyard cookout. The bodice cinches against the waist creating a slim silhouette, while the long skirt flows like the wind wherever you walk. And for you to wear it comfortably, it comes with a side zip-up for a more secure fit. With a deep-V neck and elegant ruffled hem on the ends of the dress, it is one of the best-smocked dresses for adults.

Size: S-XL

Color: Red

Material: 100% cotton

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Best Casual Choice

ANRABESS Women's Smocked Sundress

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This black-smocked dress strikes a balance of elegant and comfortable wear at the same time. The simple round neck design and four-tiered ruffle hem almost create a flower-like outline. Crafted with a blend of stretchable nylon and breathable rayon, the tank dress features a smocked bodice that cinches in the front and around the back for a body-hugging fit. Many customers laud the elasticity and breathable fit as being one of their favorites when heading out for brunch with friends and family. 

Size: S-XL

Color: Black

Material: 100% Raylon

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Best Floral Choice

The Drop Women's Kimi Ruffled-Shoulder Smocked Midi Dress

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Though the solid hues are super adaptable, it’s a great idea to branch out into something pretty and floral that’s on point for spring, like the smocked bodice of this flowery blue dress. The dress starts from the neck to the mid-waist to create an even silhouette without showing any bumps around the waist. Crafted with breathable cotton material, the product features pockets to keep your phone or keys in whenever required. It's the smocked cotton dress you need in your wardrobe for the summer.

Size: XXS-5XL

Color: Blue floral

Material: 100% cotton, (65% polyester and 35% cotton for pockets)

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Best for Apple Body Shape

Fesier Women's Front Slit Smocked Dress

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Those looking for a dress that is both durable and affordable, while having rich colors must embrace the cottage-core vibes in this short-sleeve midi frock. It features a scoop neck design, polyester inner lining, and a front slit cut to move with ease in and around. The smocked top is stretchable and breathable to wear as the viscose material is super durable even after machine wash. Available in five colors — pink, apricot, black, green, and navy blue, the dress is perfect to gift or twin along with your friend this fall. 

Size: S-XL

Color: Pink

Material: 100% Viscose

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Best Breathable Material

Zexxxy Women's Square Neck Smocked Dress

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The season of spring is the ideal time to begin experimenting with bright colors, like this pink mini-smocked dress. It is made of cotton and linen fibers that make it so airy and lightweight to wear in the summer. With a square neckline and puffy shoulder adorned with ruffles, the dress echoes chic vibes across the board. Perfect to pair with a straw hat and bohemian jute bag, the dress is sure to fetch you compliments for your up-to-date style!

Size: S-XXL

Color: Pink

Material: 90% cotton and 10% linen

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Best for Versatility

Kranda Women’s Smocked Midi Floral Dress

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The lightweight and flowy design of this smocked summer dress makes it especially comfortable. It is made of poly-blend fibers that do not wrinkle or shrink after a machine wash, and stay in shape. Addedly, the smocked clothes feature a back button and pockets making this dress super functional too. What we love about the dress is the wildflower print and short cap sleeves that add a feminine touch to one’s transitional wardrobe. In the summer, you can wear this gorgeous dress with slides or platform sandals, while in the autumn and winter, you can dress it up with a denim jacket and loafers.

Size: XS-XXL

Color: Green

Material: 100% poly-blend

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Best Comfortable Outfit

BTFBM Women Smocked Midi Dress

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This is an airy green floral day dress that can be worn to brunch and ideally for a day out with loved ones. The chiffon-like polyester fabric is super light on the skin and feels almost like you are wearing the clouds from above. Featuring cute ruffles on its short sleeves, the smocked high-waist dress is perfect for those who want to tuck in their tummy rolls. If you want to get a more easygoing style or are feeling lazy, wear it with sandals or block heels for a better dimension. 

Size: S-XXL

Color: Floral dark green

Material: 100% Polyester

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Heysolo Womens Boho Floral Smocked Mini Dress

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The brown-smocked dress screams autumn vibes with its cozier flower design, subdued coloring, puff-sleeve shape, and discreet (but sensual!) slit. Made with soft polyester fibers, the breathable material makes you sweat less and stretches around the waist for a tucked and slim fit. We love the tie-around string design at the neck for a whimsical vintage vibe that is too hard to pass. If looking for a subtle yet sexy dress to flaunt your flattering figure, we suggest adding this one to your cart.

Size: S-XL

Color: Khakhi

Material: 100% polyester

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KIRUNDO Women's Smocked Floral Dress

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This tutti-frutti-smocked top dress is a must-have in your wardrobe if you want the best compliments for the rest of your day. The ditsy flower pattern piece is lightweight and feminine, with a flattering square neckline and a modest tiered skirt for the ideal breezy yet sophisticated style. What we love about this are the sleeves that turn from a shoulder strap to a boat-neckline dress in a flip of a switch. This versatile piece comes in 12 eye-catching shades too!

Size: S-XL

Color: Pink

Material: 100% polyester

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Zwurew Women Smocked Midi Dress

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This simple but elegant blue dress will be your daily go-to. Crafted with breathable polyester material, the smocked bodice dress features a V-neckline, and short flutter sleeves for a preppier take on the trend. The diagonal cut sleeve design and flowy skirt fit add a fairy-like feel to this piece. Everything about the style makes us want to grab our favorite brown leather boots and build out the perfect autumn ensemble with this baby blue dress. If looking to add a chic dress that suits all seasons and comes at an affordable price, then give this tasteful dress a chance.

Size: S

Color: Blue

Material: 100% polyester

Though we know the list of smocked dresses is impressive, we would like to guide you on how to buy the best-smocked dresses for the summer. Scroll down for more deets.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind, when purchasing the best smocked dress.

• Body Type: To get a flattering fit, you need to choose the style of the smocked dress carefully, to match it with your body type.

1. Apple Shape: If you fall under an apple-shaped (or oval-shaped) figure with a heavier upper body, you need to flaunt your legs. Wear a dress with a square-neck or deep V-necklines that create the illusion of an elongated torso. 
2. Pear Shape: The pear body shape is all in the lower part of your body. We suggest wearing bodycon and A-line smocked dresses for highlighting the figure.
3. Rectangle Shape: Considered as almost an hourglass figure, you can easily pull off A-line dresses without stressing. Opting for body con or body hugging dresses can be a great way to highlight your figure.
4. Inverted Triangle Shape: The inverted triangle is the most athletic-looking body type. It's more about the upper body than the lower one. We suggest wearing off-shoulder, spaghetti strap, or boat-neck line smocked dresses that highlight your body.
5. Hourglass Shape: Last but not least, the hourglass figure is proportionate both at the top and the bottom. Wear a smocked dress that balances out the figure such as a bodycon dress or a straight-fitted dress with subtle, downward-flowing pleats. 

• Fabric: When choosing a smocked dress, we always recommend soft materials like cotton, polyester, wool knit (for winter), and viscose as they are durable and breathable for all-day wear. Also, consider if you want to buy natural, synthetic, or a combination of the two. Natural fabrics are more expensive than synthetic fabrics, thus your budget will play a part here as well.

• Elasticity: Lastly, when buying a smocked top dress, try doing the pull and stretch test to see if the stitching is extendable or not. This helps you get an idea of how it stretches and fits around your body without being too tight or suffocative. This feature makes these dresses perfect for pregnant women. Our contributor Leanne Lee, says, “Smocked dresses are ideal for pregnancy as they offer flexibility and can adapt to changing body shapes. Their stretchy, gathered fabric accommodates a growing belly while still looking stylish.” Opt for medium-stretch dresses if you want a cinched fit while being able to breathe properly.

Contributor: Leanne Lee, Fashion Stylist and Buyer at Blue Bungalow