I find dresses to be really useful garments for springtime as they can be worn over tights and boots while the weather is still cooler, and then on their own as we move into the warmer months.
This week I am looking at my favourite transitional dress patterns and how you can fit them into your spring wardrobe.
JERSEY DRESSES
I know it is technically a woven pattern, but I also love the Bettine dress made in jersey. It becomes a really comfy throw on dress that still looks super stylish. I think it works well in lovely drapey jerseys like this tencel modal jersey. You can read more about the changes I made to my jersey Bettine dress here.
The Zadie is another stylish dress that has lots of different options and can be made using colour blocking to create lots of wonderful effects, plus it has the most amazing pockets! It works really well in ponte romas like this mocha colour.
The Southbank sweater dress is great for winter, but you can make it spring-appropriate by making it in a lighter weight jersey or ponte. This Houndstooth ponte would be perfect.
FLOWY DRESSES
Gathered or wrap dresses are such a great option for spring, as you can layer them up if needed.
The Myosotis dress would look great in this zebra print rayon – it has a great drape and would show off all those gathers beautifully!
Another similar style is the Indigo dress, which would look perfect for spring in one of the Rifle Paper Co rayons.
The Wilder gown is another dress with all of the gathers! You could make it in a crepe like this one to make the most of all that flowy goodness!
The Elodie is a gorgeous wrap dress that would look beautiful in a plain linen like one of our enzyme washed linens.
EVERY DAY DRESSES
One of my favourite all year round patterns is the Carnaby dress – it can be worn over long sleeve tops and tights or on its own. And the pockets are a thing of beauty! It works really well in a medium weight cotton like this stunner from Cotton and Steel.
Another Nina Lee classic is the Camden. This lined pinafore looks great in more structured fabrics like this canvas.
The Stevie dress is a great option for beginner sewists as there are no zips or fastenings to deal with. It works well in cotton poplins, like this lovely black ditsy print.
The Avid Seamstress Day Dress is another great option – it looks good in a variety of fabrics and would work well in one of the Rifle Paper Co cottons.
OCCASION DRESSES
Obviously there haven’t been many opportunities for occasion dresses lately, but hopefully there will be soon!
The Magnolia dress oozes with glamour. It looks lovely in a fabric with lots of movement and drape, like the Bethany rayon.
The Belladone is such a cute party dress – the back detail is so lovely. It would work well in a more structured fabric like this Charlotte cotton sateen.
The Nina Lee Bakerloo would look so pretty in a ditsy floral like this Mary Ann rayon.
The longer version of the Anna dress would look stunning in a statement print such as this Ruby Star rayon.
I hope you found that helpful! I’ll be back soon with my favourite skirt and trouser patterns.