The Figure-Flattering Summer Dress You Almost Forgot About

Photo Illustration. Photo: Courtesy
Alexis Bennett (Text) and Lashauna Williams (Market)
May 29, 2018 @ 12:45 pm

The smock dress sounds frumpy—the cover-up your hairdresser throws over your shoulders before a cut comes to mind—but simply means a dress with gathered, stretchable fabric. Smocking is often found on sleeves or bodices, and it's extremely popular this summer.

We've seen the technique on everything from bathing suits to tops (and from designers like Caroline Constas to cult-favorite brand Ganni), but we're particularly taken with smocked dresses. You can keep things playful in a babydoll silhouette or go for major drama in a maxi-length dress. Either way, you'll be on trend this season. Below, 15 of our favorites.

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1 of 15 Courtesy

Smocked Mini Dress

Carven $370 (originally $740) SHOP NOW
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White Cotton Poplin High Neck Smock Dress

PrettyLittleThing $30 SHOP NOW
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balloon-sleeve smocked dress

Marc Cain $392 SHOP NOW
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Dayna Bold Stripe Ruffle Hem Smock Dress

Boohoo $50 SHOP NOW
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Culture Print Smock Dress

Topshop $95 SHOP NOW
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The Gimlet checked cotton and linen-blend midi dress

The Great $237 (originally $395) SHOP NOW
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Smocked cotton-poplin midi dress

Carven $390 (originally $780) SHOP NOW
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8 of 15 Courtesy

Smocked embroidered linen dress

Innika Choo $395 SHOP NOW
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Midi Smock Dress

Peter Jensen $272 (originally $339) SHOP NOW
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Ruffled smocked chiffon mini dress

AlexaChung $324 (originally $540) SHOP NOW
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Wildflower Smocked Dress

Tory Burch $303 (originally $432) SHOP NOW
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Dress with Smocking

H&M $30 SHOP NOW
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Embroidered Striped Dress

Julia Jordan $40 (originally $75) SHOP NOW
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Chiffon Tie-Neck Ruffled Dress

Dressbarn $44 SHOP NOW
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15 of 15 Douglas Holt

Isla Floral Embroidered Smocked Dress

Shoshanna $265 SHOP NOW

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