A dress is the absolute go-to for any occasion on your calendar. From wedding attire to glitzy formal affairs, sun-soaked picnics, cocktail hour, date night, office hours and even off-duty moments catching up with friends or running errands, a dress is going to set you up in the most suitably stylish way possible. What’s more, you can simply slip one on, add your favourite shoes and other coordinating accessories if you wish, and your entire ensemble is done in a few seconds flat.

Choosing the right style for you comes down to personal preference, however, as there is a world of different options out there to select from, it can be a good idea to streamline your search before you hit add to cart. The most obvious categorising component of all giddying arrays of silhouettes to choose from is the length. From mini to midi and maxi, the length to which your hem hits can really switch up the tone of your look and feel. Here’s how to shop for fashion-forward midi, maxi and mini dresses to set you on the right path to expanding or starting your collection.

Maxi dresses

A floor length dress is perfect for casual occasions to the most formal affair on your calendar and every moment in between. The longer length traditionally lends itself to evening gown silhouettes and can be played up with intricate embellishments or tactile materials such as silk blends or laces to really lean into the full-impact impression that the silhouette naturally carries.

There are plenty of more casual options out there too, from shirt dress styles to strapless cotton dresses and floral printed pieces to up the style sensibilities of your more laid back curation. Simply dress down with more casual pieces to make this cut work for all hours of the day. For more compact frames, consider taking your favourite maxi dress styles to the tailor so as not to miss out on pieces that you truly love.

Midi dresses

Image: Alamour The Label

A midi dress strikes just the right balance between perfectly dressed up and laid-back glamour. As the name suggests, this length grazes the midpoint of the shin. This somewhere in between line is so classically feminine and romantic that you can easily use it as the perfect versatile day-to-night dressing piece, simply swap out your accessories and dial up the glamour of your accompanying hair and makeup for a dress that can stick with you from morning to after-dark.

Mini dresses

A sweet and cropped mini dress is a light and easy way to feel your very best instantly. This style can hit anywhere above the knee, easily styled with your entire footwear and prime for layering with when the weather starts to change.

Look for fun accents such as feathers, cutouts, wrap details or embroidering to enliven your style spirits and make a statement with your mini dress collection. Pair with bright and bold accessories or wear alone, use it as a layering piece or stay cool in the height of summer in this irresistible silhouette that you’re sure to reach for time and time again.