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    1. Fashion

    Meet the Comfortable Smocked Dresses Everyone Will Be Wearing This Summer

    From New York It-girls to Taylor Swift

    Julia Marzovilla#039;s avatar
    By Julia Marzovilla
    Published 21 June 2025 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - AUGUST 08: A guest wears black sunglasses, silver earrings, white scrunchie, light green puffy sleeve midi dress, silver metallic bag, white socks, silver sneaker shoes, outside Marimekko, during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024-2025 on August 8, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    I have a simple philosophy when it comes to putting together my summer outfits: less is more. So, I often turn to smocked summer dresses on mornings when I don't know what to wear. They’re easy to throw on, look chic without much styling, and, above all, they're supremely comfortable.

    The dresses, known for their stretchy fabric and (often) zipper-free design, have gained a cult following inclusive of fashion’s savviest shoppers and celebrities alike over the years. For reference, Taylor Swift loves options from Dôen. Marie Claire’s senior fashion and beauty news editor, Halie LeSavage, finds the style to be as “comfortable as pajamas but nice enough to wear on video calls or out on quick errands.” One of her favorites is Dôen's Ischia style, which also happens to be on my "Italian Girl Summer" fashion wishlist.

    Ahead, I found a few options at Nordstrom that work for just about any situation. Some of the picks on this list make for the perfect summer work dress, while others would be more suitable for a wedding. You can’t go wrong, so why not pick up a few? Many of my finds go for under $200, with some retailing for half that price.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    Desert Dazed Sleeveless Dress

    Free People
    Desert Dazed Sleeveless Dress (Was $168)
    $100
    SHOP NOW

    How dreamy is this pick from Free People?

    Smocked Drop Waist Stretch Organic Cotton Midi Dress

    Damson Madder
    Smocked Drop Waist Stretch Organic Cotton Midi Dress
    $165
    SHOP NOW

    I own this bright orange dress and it makes me want to go on vacation.

    Ischia Convertible Organic Cotton Maxi Dress

    DÔEN
    Ischia Convertible Organic Cotton Maxi Dress
    $348
    SHOP NOW

    This is the simple dress that every well-dressed fashion editor owns.

    Smocked Cotton Poplin Maxi Dress

    Madewell
    Smocked Cotton Poplin Maxi Dress
    $138
    SHOP NOW

    It doesn't get easier than this Madewell style.

    Floral Print A-Line Dress

    ASTR the Label
    Floral Print A-Line Dress
    $109
    SHOP NOW

    I would wear this pick to a wedding.

    Leannah Smocked Stretch Organic Cotton Minidress

    Reformation
    Leannah Smocked Stretch Organic Cotton Minidress
    $228
    SHOP NOW

    Reformation makes some of the sweetest white dresses on the market.

    Smocked Cotton Sundress

    BP.
    Smocked Cotton Sundress
    $60
    SHOP NOW

    You won't find a nicer-looking dress for under $100.

    Smocked Sleeveless Fit amp;amp; Flare Maxi Dress

    Avec Les Filles
    Smocked Sleeveless Fit Flare Maxi Dress
    $139
    SHOP NOW

    Gingham is one of summer's sweetest (and trendiest) prints.

    Maggio Puff Sleeve Stretch Poplin Midi Dress

    Cinq à Sept
    Maggio Puff Sleeve Stretch Poplin Midi Dress
    $395
    SHOP NOW

    Cinq à Sept is the brand fashion girls have secretly been wearing for years.

    Becca Organic Cotton Bubble Minidress

    Damson Madder
    Becca Organic Cotton Bubble Minidress
    $165
    SHOP NOW

    If you're unfamiliar with Damon Madder's offerings, this mini dress is good place to start.

    Kira Check Print Midi Dress

    Reformation
    Kira Check Print Midi Dress
    $298
    SHOP NOW

    This is another Reformation find I'm loving.

    Smocked Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

    Madewell
    Smocked Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
    $148
    SHOP NOW

    The puffed sleeves on this number give me serious rich Euro vacation energy.

    Maya Shirred Sleeveless Flare Midi Dress

    MANGO
    Maya Shirred Sleeveless Flare Midi Dress
    $100
    SHOP NOW

    I feel like It-girls in Copenhagen would love this style.

    Shirred Minidress

    Open Edit
    Shirred Minidress
    $70
    SHOP NOW

    I would wear this on a night out with friends.

    Faelyn Sleeveless Silk Dress

    AllSaints
    Faelyn Sleeveless Silk Dress
    $459
    SHOP NOW

    AllSaints is another brand I can't stop wearing.

    Belted Asymmetric Minidress

    MANGO
    Belted Asymmetric Minidress
    $170
    SHOP NOW

    Clearly I'm on a real red dress kick—but can you blame me?

    The Meira Halter Neck Cotton Sundress

    Solid Striped
    The Meira Halter Neck Cotton Sundress
    $268
    SHOP NOW

    Pack this black number with you on vacation.

    Leslie Gingham Pleated Maxi Dress

    DÔEN
    Leslie Gingham Pleated Maxi Dress
    $298
    SHOP NOW

    Here's another Dôen dress for you to become obsessed with.

    Fay Stripe Smocked Mini Sundress

    Rebecca Minkoff
    Fay Stripe Smocked Mini Sundress
    $178
    SHOP NOW

    I'm obsessed with this.

    Skye Smocked Drop-Waist Maxi Dress

    rag bone
    Skye Smocked Drop-Waist Maxi Dress
    $438
    SHOP NOW

    The butter yellow trend strikes again.

    Smock Waist Cotton Midi Dress

    Vince Camuto
    Smock Waist Cotton Midi Dress
    $148
    SHOP NOW

    I would style this with pointed-toe flats for the office.

    Delia Asymmetric Raw Hem Cotton Dress

    Free People
    Delia Asymmetric Raw Hem Cotton Dress
    $88
    SHOP NOW

    I love how pretty this mini dress is.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    Explore More
    Nordstrom dresses
    Julia Marzovilla
    Julia Marzovilla
    Social Links Navigation
    Former Fashion E-Commerce Editor

    Julia Marzovilla is the former Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviewed the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also created shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.

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