The 15 Best Smock Dresses

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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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Smocked Mini Dress

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$370 (originally $740) Carven SHOP IT Opens a new window

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White Cotton Poplin High Neck Smock Dress

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$30 PrettyLittleThing SHOP IT Opens a new window

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balloon-sleeve smocked dress

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$392 Marc Cain SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Dayna Bold Stripe Ruffle Hem Smock Dress

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$50 Boohoo SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Culture Print Smock Dress

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$95 Topshop SHOP IT Opens a new window

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The Gimlet checked cotton and linen-blend midi dress

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$237 (originally $395) The Great SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Smocked cotton-poplin midi dress

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$390 (originally $780) Carven SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Smocked embroidered linen dress

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$395 Innika Choo SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Midi Smock Dress

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$272 (originally $339) Peter Jensen SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Ruffled smocked chiffon mini dress

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$324 (originally $540) AlexaChung SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Wildflower Smocked Dress

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$303 (originally $432) Tory Burch SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Dress with Smocking

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$30 H&M SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Embroidered Striped Dress

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$40 (originally $75) Julia Jordan SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Chiffon Tie-Neck Ruffled Dress

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$44 Dressbarn SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Isla Floral Embroidered Smocked Dress

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$265 Shoshanna SHOP IT Opens a new window

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