Sweet October! Discover the Best Fall Dresses for Every Occasion

_{All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something.}

No matter the occasion or season, there are always plenty of opportunities to wear a dress and, of course, an overwhelming amount of options from which to pick. We’ve put together an edit of the best dresses of the month—check back every two weeks for a new selection of styles, handpicked by Vogue.

October’s edit of the best dresses of the month is filled with seasonally-apt options that can be worn day and night, with fresh details that elevate a classic silhouette. We’re talking longer sleeves and thicker fabrics, moody prints and textural touches that look just as good with minimalist loafers as they do with retro sneakers. Shop the best dresses of October, below.

Vogue’s Best Dresses for October:

The Asymmetric Slip

Romance meets dark glamour in DVF’s Sloane, featuring a dramatic twist on the classic slip dress with sheer and lace inserts and asymmetric ruffles.

The Turtleneck Gown

Like all of Christopher John Rogers’ collections, you’ll find this dress is dripping with vivid color. It’s ribbed throughout the body, and falls into a beautiful, softly pleated sheer skirt, ideal for showing off knee-high boots.

The Checked Midi

Dôen’s Seraphine dress, made from yarn-dyed plaid, features a high V-neckline and short flutter sleeves, accentuated by delicate ruching. Lean into the outdoorsy romance of it all by wearing yours with soft ballerina flats and a petite straw basket.

The Modern Mohair

Have you ever seen a sweater dress with personality? Well, now you have, thanks to Alaïa. From the ruffled cuffs, to the allover fuzzy, mohair, this dress elevates knitwear into an artform.

The Merlot Gown

For weddings, holiday soirées, and post-work events, look to Lapointe for every special occasion. This gown ticks all the boxes—from the trending burgundy hue to the artful draping along the bodice and the flattering shawl that acts as the perfect finishing touch.

The Plaid Shirtdress

For workweeks and beyond, the shirtdress is a reliable staple to look put together every day, without sacrificing comfort or professionalism. Modernize yours with tall, leather boots, or make it feminine with a patent Mary Jane.

The Disco Dress

Dries Van Noten’s designs naturally invite the party sensibilities in—a mood exemplified in this runway look, featuring a sequin turtleneck neck and an embellished abstract motif that exclaims, “Let’s dance!”

The Ladylike Maxi

Saloni’s crepe de chine maxi features an allover rose motif, gathered high neckline, and puffed sleeves, championing femininity at every angle.

The Pleated, Strapless Midi

We’ve hit that rare point in the year, when strapless dresses can still be worn underneath trench coats, just before the cold front sets in. Style with tonal accessories, like a chocolate brown clutch, and merlot heels.

The Multicolor Knit

Sweater dresses are often minimalist in nature. Simon Miller pushes the envelope here with a fitted, multi-colored knit that’s both sleek and bold.

The Fit-and-Flare Leather Dress

The shirt dress gets a desirable fall/winter upgrade with luxe merlot-colored leather. The fit-and-flare silhouette feels especially versatile, styled with heels for work or boots for weekend.

The Classic LBD

No wardrobe is really truly complete without a little black dress (or two!). Ideal for layering, Banana Republic’s puffed-sleeve maxi darts at the waist with a hook-and-eye closure at the front for a corset-inspired look.

The Runway Drape

Maximalism for minimalists is one of the standout trends we’re shopping for fall/winter 2025—have you seen our Shopping List yet? The draped top, and dress, fall under the must-have category of artistically-inspired pieces. Wear yours with funky sandals, à la Tory Burch’s runway.

The Polka-Dot Maxi

Dotted dresses bring retro charm they make every step feel like a wink toward old Hollywood. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and style with red pumps, and a pillbox hat.

The Silk Turtleneck

The platonic ideal of sweater dresses, Tove’s take is made from wool and silk in a timeless grey that skims just over the figure. Wear yours with patent-leather knee boots in winter and square-toe flats in spring.

---

The Fall Floral

From the subtle draping to the autumnal blooms, Me+Em’s maxidress has all the markings of a wear-anywhere fall essential.

The Checked Midi

Heritage fabrics and countryside attire go hand-in-hand this fall, as seen on the runways of Burberry and Miu Miu. Subtly impactful, it’s the ideal print for those who usually steer clear of pattern play. Pair this checked dress from Dôen with leather knee-high boots.

The Sultry Slip

Despite its lingerie-inspired look and feel, the slip dress is not limited to the bedroom. A mainstay in the fall/winter collections, embrace the naturally romantic details and go classic with the rest—think of it being worn beneath a trench coat, leather bomber jacket, or atop a turtleneck.

The Best-Dressed Guest

We’re still eating up Zankov’s DVF collaboration, and the Stanton dress is particularly sweet. Sweep your hair back, and let the allover darling dots do the talking at your next special event.

The Textured Satin

All of Fforme’s designs show off the brand’s mastery of feminine silhouettes. This one, called the Mila, has been beautifully cut on the bias to reflect the liquid-like fall of fire-red satin.

The Country-Coded Mini

Weave together tradition and trend in one bold, cozy pattern with Banana Republic’s checked minidress. Timeless, yet endlessly adaptable, this autumnal pattern gets a modern update with a shorter hemline, and a twist-front knot at the waist.

The Ruffled Gown

The fall runways made a strong case for keeping boho silhouettes in the rotation. Fluid, loose, and carefree, Zimmermann’s gown can be worn to an evening event with kitten heels, or during the day with a square-toe flat.

The Knitted Tank Top Dress

It isn’t freezing outside, just yet. Take full advantage of fall’s temperate weather by wearing Lisa Yang’s elevated tank dress beneath your favorite lightweight outerwear.

The Pinstriped Midi

All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl! Take the business codes of now, like pinstripes, and have a little fun with it. Isabel Marant’s midi is gathered at the waist, and finished with a draped skirt.

The Combination Knit Dress

What’s as comfortable as a T-shirt dress, but as elevated as a drapey midi? One that bridges the best of both. Massimo Dutti’s mocha brown dress, a trending colorway for fw25, can be dressed up, or down, depending on the accessories.

The Burgundy Chiffon Maxi

Spotted on Kallmeyer’s FW25 runway, the Gillian dress made heads turn thanks to three major trends: the cape effect, the oxblood hue, and the billowy shape.

The Printed Jersey Maxi

Ulla Johnson’s Amari dress features a colorful Swan motif, present throughout the brand’s fall collection. Made from soft, stretchy jersey, it features a slender bodice and a flowing maxi skirt, perfect for showcasing tall, suede boots.

The Vivid Turtleneck

A sea of blues, including navy, cobalt, and celeste, has moved from a spring/summer success to a staple for the autumn season. Sweet and bright, Alaïa’s turtleneck dress has a heart-shaped cutout at the back.

The Abstract Motif

From the gathered mock neck to the asymmetric draping, Proenza’s dress is easily styled with any kind of transitional outerwear, from barn jackets to blazers.

The Classic LBD

Finding a little black dress, although essential, can sometimes be difficult. Luckily, Cos is here to help with their LBD that ticks all the boxes. Silky, fluid, and affordable—it’ll be worn season after season.

---

Shop the best dresses of September

The Wool Maxi Dress

Cold weather doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your mainstay dresses. If anything, it’t the perfect time to trade poplin for knitted. Wear Marina McManus’s wool maxi with kitten-heel boots, or black ballerina flats.

The Trending Collaboration

Zankov, the genius knitwear brand known for its vivid, candy cane-hued sweaters, joins forces with Diane Von Furstenberg to create dresses that boast high-end textural details—like the Trovaso, below, embellished with allover sequins.

The Asymmetric Shirt Dress

Like most of Tibi’s pieces, this dress is meant to challenge classic wardrobe essentials. Elevated by an asymmetric hemline, it’ll look picture-perfect combined with strappy heels, and tights in in a color with “ick,” as founder Amy Smilovic would describe it.

The Checked Midi

Subtle enough for the print-shy minimalist, checked pieces can be a striking focal point, or can be styled playfully with other carefully-contrasted prints.

The Lace-Trimmed Slip Dress

No wardrobe is complete without a slip dress, or two, or three! Zara’s is meant to be a fashion-forward layer this season, worn over pants and underneath a sweater.

The Everyday Shirtdress

Effortless polish in one easy piece, the shirtdress is structured like a button down, but relaxed enough to wear outside of working hours. Dress it up with a pair of knee-high boots, or down with a suede sneaker.

The Fluid Wool Dress

Looking for winter’s solution to soft sophistication? Toteme has it! Warm, versatile, and delicately crafted, this double-faced wool dress has a cowl neck that drapes with substance (a design element heavily featured on the fall runways), to keep you cozy without the bulk.

The Modern Floral Dress

Floral prints aren’t exclusive to the summertime. Take note from Marni, who relies on autumnal colors to bring these blooms into the new season.

The Oversized Satin Dress

When it comes to curating a robust wardrobe that can take you anywhere, versatile staples are key. This affordable find from Banana Republic can be worn to any occasion. Think weddings and parties, with a velvet shoe or slingback.

The Fringe Effect

Acne Studios’s dress has an enchanting, vintage-inspired aesthetic. It’s made from sumptuous silk satin that drapes beautifully over your silhouette and falls to an asymmetrical midi hem—it’ll dance with you all night long.

The Tie-Waist Shirtdress

The humble shirtdress continues to be modernized with unique details that pack a punch. Take Jil Sander’s, for example. It boasts a striking tie-waist (with an extra set of sleeves in lieu of a belt!) that can cinch in the waist.

The Ruched Midi

Fall wedding in the books? Staud’s Marcel dress makes a statement without trying too hard. The ruched middle is a welcome addition to the allover silk.

---

The Scarf Dress

Fall wedding looming on the calendar? Look no further—Staud’s Camilla dress has all the markings of a special event stunner that won’t steal all the attention from the special couple.

The Draped Silk Dress

Easy, sleek, and elegantly draped, Loulou De Saison’s Roan dress was made with versatility in mind. Dress it up with kitten heels or a knee-high boot, or play it down with ballerina flats.

The Ruffled Maxi

The upcoming fall season means one thing and one thing only: it’s time for layering! Wear this ruffle-tiered dress below a heavy knit or a trench coat. Let the cascading flounce peek out, and don’t forget western boots!

The Transitional Turtleneck

Jacquemus sweetens this dress with a dramatic draped, turtleneck-style neckline—a clever take on proportions that makes it wearable in the summer and the fall. The best part? Its butter yellow crepe is easy breezy in between seasons, too.

The Merlot Midi

You can never go wrong with a Dôen dress. It doesn’t hurt either that it comes in a rich burgundy hue, one of the top color trends of the season.

The Patchwork Slip

Stripes and polka dots are a given, but here is a new fall print to consider: patchwork. Zara’s printed version will satisfy those looking to layer, adding a bohemian or vintage-inspired style into their wardrobe this season.

The Modern Event Dress

Simkhai’s Kenlie dress is back! This time, it’s designed with a long-sleeved ribbed-knit bodice to contrast the larger-than-life taffeta skirt. Wear it to a variety of lavish occasions, from black tie weddings to the ballet.

The Drop Waist Dress

Step into elegance with this pleated dress from Magda Butrym. Crafted from fluid stretch-crepe, it contours smoothly through the fitted bodice and subtly dips at the waist before cascading into a liquid-like skirt. Wear with drop earrings for all your special fetes.

The Night-Out-Lace Dress

From Louis Vuitton to Ralph Lauren and Chloé, lace trimmings are still making waves on the runway. The ideal evening-out dress, its floral lace adds a flair of romance to any nighttime ensemble.

The Silk Wrap Dress

No well-curated wardrobe is complete without a classic wrap dress. Instead of the usual black or oxblood jersey, opt for Tory Burch’s printed, silky silhouette.

The Wear-Everywhere Dress

Top half? Think slinky, sleek, stretchy cotton. Bottom half? A dramatic poplin skirt with tons of texture. Consider this to be early fall’s answer to the “what do I wear?” dilemma. Style with footwear of all kinds, from retro sneakers to loafers and minimalist sandals.

The Classic Turtleneck Dress

DVF is known for traditional, signature silhouettes—a notion Diane’s entire legacy is built on. Strong, smart, and classy, a black turtleneck dress will be one to live in for years to come.

The Fluid Drape

Leave it up to Khaite to redefine the classic silk dress. From its bold hue, to the fluidity and movement, bring the runway to real life with the Syd.

The Lace-Trimmed Gown

Nili Lotan’s Adelie gown is tasteful, inviting, and best of all, timeless. Made from liquid silk-charmeuse, it is unlined to ensure a lightweight, free-flowing fit. Dainty lace outlines the bust and V-neckline.

The Asymmetric Maxi

Isabel Marant’s western-leaning Galina dress is designed to make every woman feel beautiful. From the draped bodice and floaty skirt, to the allover print and gathered waist—in a continuously trending butter yellow and burgundy, no less.

The Dramatic Draping

Toteme is all about clean lines, ease, and versatility—and while this dress is a bit more high-impact, those traits still hold true. Wear this to a special event with strappy heels and dangling earrings.

---

Shop the best dresses of August

The Red Hot

Perfect for every occasion, Faithfull’s Suis dress is cut from textured linen with a swishy midi skirt and artfully draped, asymmetric neckline. Wear with dangling earrings to accentuate the neckline.

The Artful Silhouette

Tired of your classic white cotton dresses? Of course, Jacquemus is here to shake up what that category can look like. From the funnel neck to the sharp allover panels, the Triana is more sculptural than simple.

The Lace Trim Maxi

Designed as a tribute to the slip dress, Sir’s Aries style features panels of lace, a deep, plunging back, and a bias cut. Wear it now with flip-flops, and later beneath a lightweight trench coat.

The Evening-Ready

This rich, oxblood-colored dress is designed to be a timeless option for any special occasion—be it a wedding, baby shower, or gala event.

The ’90s-Inspired Slip

Can’t you picture a young Gwyneth Paltrow or Jennifer Aniston wearing this dress? Embrace that energy, and wear it with pared-back accessories. The vivid color is statement enough.

The Dramatic Print

Fashion-forward, unique, and figure-flattering, Dries Van Noten’s artfully draped maxidress is punctuated by argyle checks and oval motifs, a lustrous finish, and a loose bodice that nips in at the waist. Wear it like a cool girl, with ballet flats, or go elegant with a pair of strappy thong sandals.

The Powder Pink

Sometimes, less is more! Everlane’s soft, powder pink dress is proof of that. Wear it with everything from suede sandals, to ballerina flats, and white sneakers.

The Embroidered Slip

It may be the middle of August, but we’re not giving up all our summer favorites just yet. Before the warmth ceases, wear Zara’s effortless, long slip dress with basket bags and kitten heels.

The Multicolored Knit

When in doubt, a DVF dress is the right choice. As the weather gets cooler, look to the Bea sweater dress. Cast from cozy wool, it features color-blocked panels at the sleeve and hemline.

The Striped Midi

The classic polo dress gets a fashion girl upgrade thanks to Proenza Schouler’s Solana dress. Show off the figure-skimming silhouette and puffy sleeves by pairing with laidback accessories, like simple wrap sandals and a minimalist shoulder bag.

The Artful Drape

Have a lavish event on the calendar? One that goes well into the evening? Khaite knows how to do all-hours elegance without sacrificing comfort. Case in point: the Meryl dress.

The Scarf-Detailed Midi

Scarf dressing isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Back once more for fall, the best part about this Staud dress is that you can detach it to switch up the look.

The Bandana Dress

Minimalism doesn’t mean simplicity! Especially when it comes to this Ami dress. From the attached bandana to the Mother of Pearl buttons, this dress is maximalism for minimalists in every sense of the word.

The Fluid Maxi

Easy to style, and endlessly versatile, let Jean Paul Gaultier’s stretch satin maxidress become the item you lean on. It can be dressed up, or down, depending on the accessories.

The Abstract Motif

Workweek ensembles don’t have to lack character. If anything, it’s the perfect time to rely on punchy pieces that require little effort to look complete. Altuzarra’s Claudia dress is both office-appropriate and super chic.

---

The Romantic Slip

Equal parts laidback and sultry, this modern stands out but doesn’t try too hard. Throw it on with a simple sandal for daytime, or wear it for date night with a strappy heel.

The Fringed Find

Looking to add a playful detail to your everyday ensembles? Fringe will do the trick! Transition this dress from The Elder Statesman into the new season by pairing it with knee-high boots, or a light layerable jacket.

The Embroidered Sundress

Made from breathable cotton, Sea’s Celia dress is designed with an allover broderie anglaise and sprinkled with embroidered flowers. Garden party, here we come!

The Vacation Dress

Preparing for a getaway this summer? You’ll need a plethora of easy, but statement-making, dresses that require little styling. Add this Johanna Ortiz dress to your lineup—it’s open back, cut-out sides, and airy cotton construction is perfect for beachside escapes.

The Crow-Favorite Mini

Dôen is known for their dresses, both maxi and mini, and this dress keeps selling out for a reason. Ideal for summertime, the design strikes all the right chords—lace trimmings, a relaxed silk-satin fabrication, and a scalloped hemline that’s both alluring and sweet.

The Sky Blue Maxi

Statement-making yet easy to style, Faithfull’s Aniela dress will carry you from summer event to summer event. Keep it simple with neutral-colored accessories, or add a bold pop with colorful extras.

The Runway Find

There’s no shortage of white dresses for summer—the categories span every style and occasion. For a runway-approved moment, pick up Miu Miu’s lace midi dress.

The Red Hot Collab

J.Crew and Rouje recently teamed up on a collection of pieces that bring a bit of New York to Paris, and a bit of Paris to New York! The Swoon dress captures both cities’ aesthetics perfectly, with flirty polka dots and a vintage-inspired slip silhouette.

The Paisley Midi

Rabanne’s shirtdress features panels of paisley motifs, crafted from stretch-jersey with an asymmetric hem, blouson sleeves for added volume, and a gathered bodice with silver-tone fastenings. Add silver jewelry to match the tones.

The Suede Halterneck

Softness meets structure in this halter for a tactical twist on classic cool. Wear it now with simple sandals, then straight into fall with tall boots.

The Flowing Dress

Ruffles bring movement, excitement, and a touch of whimsy. They also boast just enough detail for the minimalist. Add a basket bag, and you’re good to go.

The Checked Maxi Dress

Crafted from a neutral checked voile, this piece fits snugly through the body and then flares out into a billowy, asymmetric hem.

The Crinkled Maxi

Breezy, oversized, and full of texture, Zara’s dress will become your go-to for the next few weeks. Wear it in the city or take it on vacation—either way, you’ll fall in love with the crinkled effect.

The Reimagined Tulle

Soft and elegant, Toteme brings delicate tulle into the now with this oversized maxi dress. Its top semi-sheer layer is embroidered with the daintiest of florals.

The Printed Pick

For day parties, birthdays, and other special events, you can always count on Dries Van Noten to come through. Style this multicolored, printed dress with contrasting accessories.

The Embroidered Kaftan

This dress can be a coverup for bikinis and chic one-piece swimsuits, or worn as a dress for a summer-in-the-city feel. Either way, it looks good with raffia bags, sun hats, flip-flops, and the unexpected mesh flats.