The 21 Best Dresses on Amazon for Every Occasion, Season, and Style

Best Overall

The Drop Women's Ana Silky

$55 at Amazon

Why We Love It: The InStyle team is hopelessly devoted to this simple satin slip dress, in large part because it looks luxe without the price tag to match. Sure, ordering it in just one color is a good start, but we can pretty much guarantee you’ll be coming back for more. It comes in an impressive 26 colors and prints, and it’s available in sizes XXS–5XL, to better fit a variety of body types. With that said, because of its streamlined cut, it can be hard to find that just right fit—perhaps it’s too tight in the bust for larger chests, but roomy in the belly and hips. However, when it works, it works. Wear this to a casual dinner belted over a T-shirt or dress it up simply with jewelry for a wedding. And did we mention it’s machine washable? No costly dry cleaning bill required.

Size: XXS–5X | Colors: 26 | Material: Polyester, elastane | Length: Midi

Best Budget

Amazon Essentials Short-Sleeve Maxi Dress

$8 at Amazon

Why We Love It: Sometimes, lower price points mean questionable sustainability credentials, but this doesn’t seem to be the case here. Made from responsibly sourced fabrics and using chemicals that are safer for people and the planet, this a dress you can feel good about. It hits at ankle length, making it just as suitable for work as for comfy lounging. Style it with slides or sneakers and your favorite jean jacket for a laid-back look.

Size: XS–XXL | Colors: 17 | Material: Rayon, elastane | Length: Maxi

Best Splurge

LIKELY Women's Owens Dress

$167 at Amazon

Why We Love It: Amazon is such a great platform for affordable clothing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also bag a treat-worthy item. This mini dress is fun without being over the top, thanks to a simple, figure-hugging silhouette, embellished with a line of faux feathers on one side from the waist down. We’re obsessed with the Barbie pink option, and the white is fabulous for bachelorette parties and bridal showers, or just for a cocktail party. Bonus: The straps are removable, should you want to switch up the look and go strapless.

Size: 00–14 | Colors: 2 | Material: Polyester, rayon, spandex | Length: Mini

Best Plus-Size

Floerns Cowl Neck Wrap Party Cami Dress

$46 at Amazon

Why We Love It: Consider all your wedding or gala guest needs met with this piece from Floerns. Available in upwards of 45 colors and prints, there’s a vibe for everyone. This dress features thin spaghetti straps, a flattering cowl neck, a cinched waist, and a tulip-style skirt with a daring slit in the center. Just note, though, those with larger busts might find the top part of this dress too tight for comfort so it may be better for pear-shaped body types.

Size: XS–5X | Colors: 47 | Material: Polyester | Length: Midi

Best Summer

Floerns Puff Sleeve A Line Short Dress

$35 at Amazon

Why We Love It: This is one of model Wendy Frita's favorite summer dresses (she shows off how she styles it here). First and foremost, it’s hard not to adore the little orange print, reminding us of summers in Italy. If the orange-on-black color combo is not your style, the dress comes in a variety of colors, flowers, and fruit prints to choose from. Features like the puff sleeves and sweetheart neckline are so sweet, creating a summery without showing too much skin.

Size: XS–4XL | Colors: 28 | Material: Polyester, elastane | Length: Mini

Best White

Oyoangle Halter Tie Summer Beach Dress

$36 at Amazon

Why We Love It: It takes zero effort to look refined—just let this halter-neck dress do all the work. This dress crisscrosses at the throat and ties into a bow at the nape of the neck. The rest of the dress (which is double-lined, by the way) elegantly flows into an A-line skirt. Not only does it make for a cute city-exploring outfit, but serves as a beach cover-up as well. And if the pure white feels too formal, the apricot color is like an off-white version that’s a great alternative as well.

Size: XS–XL | Colors: 4 | Material: Polyester | Length: Mini

Best Floral

MakeMeChic Floral Print Square Neck Sleeveless Dress

$43 at Amazon

Why We Love It: Florals, like the color black, never seem to go out of style. Particularly with a warm-weather backdrop, this maxi dress with blue flower patterns is a clear head-turner. It takes inspiration from the trendy nap dress and there are surprisingly a lot of ways it can be styled. Reviewers love how soft and comfortable it feels, but do warn against wrinkling. Try not to fold the dress in too many ways and opt for a hanger instead. If you’re packing it for a trip to Italy (take us with you) then make sure to take it out of the suitcase upon arrival and hang it up in the closet.

Size: XS–4XL | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester | Length: Maxi

Best Formal

MUSHARE Long Formal Dress

$54 at Amazon

Why We Love It: For any events that require formalwear (weddings, charity events, or an extra-special date night), a floor-length gown is the most surefire way to nail the dress code. But since this isn’t something you’d get a ton of wear out of, it would make sense not to overspend, even if it’s for something super classy. Enter this dress, which features a high halter neck, a cinched waist, and a full A-line skirt with two sexy side slits that fall high on the thigh (so if you’re looking for something more conservative, this isn’t it). If you’re having a hard time picking a color, black is always classic. But you can’t go wrong with the more sultry red tone, either.

Size: S–XXL | Colors: 9 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Maxi

Best Maxi

PRETTYGARDEN Long Sleeve V-Neck Ruffle Tiered Maxi Dress

$46 at Amazon

Why We Love It: If you’re going for a maxi dress, try and opt for something with a flowy skirt. As much as we adore how a bodycon maxi dress looks, there’s no denying that it makes walking very difficult. Instead, allow this drapey dress to flow in the wind as you walk around town. It’s one of Amazon and InStyle’s favorite maxi dresses because of how breathable, flattering, and versatile it is. The tie around the waist adds some shaping, and the tasteful V-neck isn’t so deep that it would be considered inappropriate.

Size: XS–XL | Colors: 23 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Maxi

Best Mini

LILLUSORY Oversized Sweater Dress

$40 at Amazon

Why We Love It: This is one for the pumpkin-spice-all-year-round girlies. It’s the perfect combination of cozy and sexy, thanks to its chunky knit style, warm long sleeves, and leg-baring length—just read the comments before buying, because you may need to size down significantly to get the right fit. “This mini sweater dress is perfect for winter paired with tights and boots or layered under a leather jacket,” says stylist and Fashivly brand director Mollye Rivera. “It has so many color options and is great for holiday parties, date nights or going out with friends.”

Size: S–XL | Colors: 18 | Material: Acrylic | Length: Mini

Best Party

YIJIU Long Sleeve Velvet Dress

$41 at Amazon

Why We Love It: If you’re shopping for the holiday season, there’s no safer bet than velvet—especially when it’s this adorable. “This silhouette with the wrap waist and gathered sleeves makes it super flattering and able to transition easily between cocktail and more casual events,” says Ashlyn Greer, cofounder of the personal styling service Fashivly. “Wear it to any November or December weddings, pair it with a pair of fun tights and bold heels or boots for a holiday party, and dress it up with metallic accessories for New Year's.” While this dress has some stretch, this isn’t enough for it to fit on all body types: For instance, taller women may find it’s too revealing at the bottom, and you may need to try it to find out. If you’re willing to jump the gun regardless, may we suggest the black, pure pink, or red options?

Size: S–XXL | Colors: 10 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Mini

Best for Wedding Guests

Dokotoo Flared Sleeve Wedding Guest Dress

$43 at Amazon

Why We Love It: Weddings have a few faux pas when it comes to dresses—for example, you can’t wear anything too revealing, too red, too white, or too eye-catching. We love the idea of this cross V-neck mini dress with fluttery sleeves paired with some quality tights and comfortable heels for a daytime affair. Dress it up with gold jewelry and add a faux fur or glittery jacket to warm it up. Sadly, the fabric here wrinkles easily, which can dampen the overall look, so have a steamer handy before wearing it, and pay attention to how you sit.

Size: S–XXL | Colors: 8 | Material: Polyester | Length: Mini

Best Knit

Merokeety Women's Ribbed Long Sleeve Sweater Dress

$40 at Amazon

Why We Love It: A knit dress, particularly a long-sleeved midi, is a great idea when the temperature drops, since it allows you to embrace a fun, feminine look while making sure you stay toasty enough to brave the weather. This one comes in a bunch of colors, meaning you could buy one for every day of the week if you decide you kind of want to live in them while it’s cold out. It’s also made with a great amount of stretch for more freedom of movement as you hustle and bustle your way through the holiday season. Unfortunately, the fabric feels a bit itchy at times, but we’re willing to overlook this since it fits lots of different body types, and is even suitable for maternity wear.

Size: XS–XL | Colors: 22 | Material: Nylon, viscose, polyester | Length: Midi

Best Maternity

Ekouaer Women's Maternity Dress

$20 at Amazon

Why We Love It: This ribbed dress comes with tons of stretch to accommodate your growing bump throughout your pregnancy. It’s comfy enough to wear for everyday errands but cute enough to dress up for a date night or baby shower, and you know there’s nothing we love more than a versatile piece of clothing. The thin material lets this one down a bit, and it may need layering or wearing with skin-colored underwear to avoid any issues with that. But on the plus side, if you love it, you can always come back for more since it’s available in so many great shades and patterns.

Size: XS–XXL | Colors: 19 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Midi

Best for Work

ANRABESS Women's Sweater Dress

$50 at Amazon

Why We Love It: This sweater dress is extra easy to wear and style all from fall to spring, since it’s discreet while still being very pretty (and warm). “This dress is the perfect option for any special events you have coming up,” Rivera says. Reviewers frequently comment that they are pleasantly surprised by the quality of the material.

Size: S–XL | Colors: 10 | Material: Viscose, nylon, polyester | Length: Midi

Best Print

Jelly Brynn Printed Sleevless Dress

$34 at Amazon

Why We Love It: For anyone who loves a little printed number but doesn’t want another floral pick, consider this abstract version instead. Made of a plisse material and featuring a cowl neck, the dress is both lightweight and graceful enough for warm summer nights. You can choose from 11 different prints, but if you ask us, they all deliver a uniquely different aesthetic that you may as well get a few. Warning, however, that it runs very large and reviewers highly recommend sizing down.

Size: S–L | Colors: 11 | Material: Polyester | Length: Maxi

Best T-Shirt

OQQ Bodycon Mini Dress

$20 at Amazon

Why We Love It: A casual T-shirt dress is always easy to gravitate towards when you don’t know what to wear yet want to look chic. The little V-neck and collar detail add an eye-catching detail to an otherwise simple design as well. Reviewers love the thick material, tipping their hats to the tummy control properties. It certainly hugs the body, however, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But to balance it out, the dress isn’t too daringly short, giving people confidence while walking out in public.

Size: S–XL | Colors: 9 | Material: Nylon, polyester | Length: Mini

Best Bodycon

AnotherChill Bodycon Maxi Dress

$25 at Amazon

Why We Love It: The Skims Soft Lounge Slip Dress had the internet in a chokehold, but we found its twin on Amazon. With the original number frequently sold out, one of our editors bought this alternative instead and was pleasantly surprised by the results. The polyester and elastane fabric is both soft and stretchy, just like the original, and has that figure-hugging appeal that made the Skims dress so popular in the first place. It’s also available in more colors than what’s offered by Skims, but unfortunately, not as many sizes. If you wish for a strapless alternative, Frita recommends this dress.

Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 10 | Material: Polyester, elastane | Length: Maxi

Best Sweater

Satuun Sweater Dress

$40 at Amazon

Why We Love It: This one is for those looking to keep things simple. “The oversize fit of the dress is comfortable while the turtleneck keeps the classic feel to the look,” Rivera points out. It’s easy to accessorize with a belt and kitten heels for the office. Our one complaint is that it’s dry-clean only, which is a pain if you’re planning to wear it often.

Size: S–XL | Colors: 6 | Material: Polyamide, viscose, modal, elastane | Length: Midi

Best for Layering

OYOANGLE Sweater Dress with Pockets

$36 at Amazon

Why We Love It: “This sleeveless pocket sweater dress is perfect for winter layering,” says Greer. “Add a color or pattern mock neck underneath, or keep things minimal and classic with a button down and sheer tights. This length will work great with both tall and short boots, and a longer trench style coat or a boxy cropped jacket as well,” she continues. The bright colors, such as the hot pink and blue options, are super cute but we’d recommend opting for the more neutral colors to keep your options open when it comes to layering. Though some people find it a bit short, we love that there’s a great range of sizes available here, which in some cases, can help shoppers achieve the perfect fit.

Size: XS–4XL | Colors: 11 | Material: Acrylic, polyamide, polyester | Length: Mini

Best Long-Sleeved

LYANER Mini Shirt Dress with Belt

$48 at Amazon

Why We Love It: As you’ve probably figured out if you made it this far down the list, Amazon is king when it comes to scoring luxurious-looking clothes at wallet-friendly prices, and this dress fits that criteria. “I love a plissé style dress; it looks very expensive and gives a French-girl chic vibe,” says Sansone. “This dress is a comfortable option for the summer and can easily be dressed up with a heel, or down with flats or a lifestyle tennis shoe, depending on where you’re headed. Bonus: this shirt-style mini dress works on a range of body types.” A downside is that sizing is limited and seemingly inconsistent, so make sure to read the reviews to determine whether you need to size up or down.

Size: XS–XXL | Colors: 29 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Mini