7 Fall Dress Trends That Will Stay Relevant Through the Rest of 2021

Whether the smocked detail runs down to the hips and creates a drop-effect waist or it defines the bodice, this feminine detail isn't going away for fall and winter.

By The River Smocked Floral Midi Dress ($110)

Sir. Dimitri Puff Sleeve Midi Dress ($480)

Cinq a Sept Kaya Dress ($395)

Hill House Home The Nesli Nap Dress ($125)

Wilfred Grace Dress ($178)

Proenza Schouler Smocked Turtleneck Dress ($1,090)

Sleeper Atlanta Linen Dress in Navy ($320)

Faithfull The Brand Sobita Midi Dress Cardette Floral Print ($249)

Ganni Organic Cotton Poplin Maxi Dress ($345)

Abacaxi Eva Dress ($475)

While we mostly saw these in the form of lightweight tank dresses for spring and summer, fall brings more autumnal tones and '70s-inspired silhouettes with collars.

Tanya Taylor Joelle Knit Dress ($365)

Staud Shoko Sweater ($165)

Nisse Santro Orange Dress ($355)

Tanya Taylor Letta Dress ($295)

Cider Long Sleeved Rib Dress ($18)

San Sloane Drake Rib Midi Dress Pistachio ($167)

Ganni Melange Knit Dress ($245)

Solid & Striped The Leigh Polo Dress ($248)

Nanushka Lycyle Boucle Knit Dress ($575)

Bottega Veneta Women's Dress in Scarlet ($1,650)

JW Anderson Light Blue Tiered Ribbed Cotton Maxi Dress ($865)

Self-Portrait Ribbed Knit Midi Dress ($495)

The minidress helps you get event-ready this year, so show off a little leg and shop any of these statement pieces that prove extra fabric isn't necessarily what gets you noticed.

Nicole Shante Lime Green Backless Mini Dress ($345)

With Jéan Andy Dress in Cher ($279)

Louisa Ballou Helios Dress Yellow Aura Orchid ($505)

SER.O.YA Rachel Dress ($192, originally $275)

Retrofête Sonja Dress ($345)

Victor Glemaud Sweater Dress ($450)

Andrea Iyamah Sol Dress ($250)

Maisie Wilen Orbit City Dress ($650)

Minis Bronze Linen Dress ($89)

The pouf either adds dimension at the shoulder or takes more of a bishop form, with room throughout and a cinch at the elbow or wrist. Shop it in a minidress or midi length.

Hope For Flowers by Tracy Reese Black Cowl Dress ($325)

Batsheva Snap Housedress in Burgundy Paisley ($200)

Ganni x 11 Honoré Love Drop Stretch Stripe Shirt Dress ($395)

Maggie Marilyn Cup of Ambition Dress ($484)

Christopher John Rogers White Topstitched Cotton-Twill Maxi Dress ($2,295)

PatBo Faux Suede V-Neck Midi Dress ($795)

COS Gathered Dress ($125)

Esse Studios Collected Long Dress in Chocolate ($599)

Tibi Eyelet Embroidery On Taffeta Dress ($995)

Animal print isn't quite as literal this season, often blown up into a more pixelated graphic print or treated with an extra silky sheen. Expect takes on giraffe and zebra to follow.

Rixo Jolene in Antelope ($325)

Reformation Sigmund Dress ($248)

Mango Snake Print Gown ($100)

Holiday The Label Maldives Dress in Zebra ($157)

DVF Reese Matte-Jersey Mini Dress in Giraffe Medium Teal ($358)

Ulla Johnson Leyla Dress in Acacia ($895)

Rhode Heidi Dress ($475)

LaQuan Smith Tiger Print Cocktail Minidress ($1,200)

MISA Los Angeles Gaia Dress in Tigresse ($480)

Allow feminine frills to finish off the border of your sleeves, hem, or collar, and if your taste is more avant-garde than modest, you can even come by some asymmetrical styles that have a single ruffle trail down the miniskirt.

Meadows Jasmine Dress in Ditsy Corduroy ($248)

Zara Short Ruffled Dress ($50)

Shona Joy Olympia Long Sleeve Ruched Minidress in Chocolate ($360)

Erdem x Universal Standard Primrose Ruffle Shirt Dress in Black Floral ($174)

LoveShackFancy Cedella Minidress ($425)

Sea Gina Gingham Smocked Dress With Embroidery ($365)

An eye-catching cutout reigns supreme this year, however big or small. Slashes at the midriff, shoulder, chest, and back will allow you to bare a little more skin and exude glamour, even when you're in long sleeves.

FANM MON LVIV Expresso Linen Side and Back Open Detail Mini Dress ($199)

De La Vali Baltimore Backless Feather Trim Mini Dress ($630)

Public Desire Curve Open Back Midi Dress in Mustard ($48)

Lado Bokuchava Cut Out Midi Dress ($575)

Hyein Seo Cutout Stretch Design Dress ($390)

Jonathan Simkhai Christie Draped Cutout Dress ($645)

Cult Gaia Marisol Gown in Chili ($698)

Khaite The Mischa Dress in Black ($1,480)

Par Bronte Laurent 25 Reasons Dress ($198)