Shop these 10 prairie dresses to rock at work and weekends

Oozing with romance, one of the key trending frocks to rock this SS ‘20 is so pretty, you’ll want to wear it all-week-long

prairie dresses
Credit: Instagram/Batsheva
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Recently, we’ve been seeing brands with the likes of Simone Rocha, Batsheva and Rodarte designing collection after collection showcasing pretty prairie frocks trimmed with ruffles, tiers upon tiers of wispy fabrics sporting ditsy floral prints, and eyelet-trimmed ribbons. Propelling the 18th century midwestern style to reach great heights of popularity both on and off the runway, designers gave the prairie frock a modern interpretation, refreshing the style with less voluminous silhouettes and less conservative necklines. 

Greta Gerwig’s recent 2019 adaptation of Little Women was one of the most buzzed about films of the zeitgeist, rendering the prairie-style of dressing as seen in the movie even more relevant today. The wardrobe of the picturesque Little Women takes us back to the days of stiff petticoats and chintzy doily collars evocative of the period (the 1860s), while also casting a spotlight on sweet pastels and lovely, romantic floral dresses teamed effectively with prim straw hats and wicker picnic baskets. Long story short, it’s becoming evident to us that the tenacious prairie dress will continue to rule our Instagram feeds and closets now so more than ever.

To get you well acquainted with the trend, we’ve scoured the net for 10 of our favourite prairie dresses to shop right now. Check out our top picks below. 

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1. Alexander McQueen floral cotton poplin maxi dress, S$5,560 from Mytheresa

Credit: Mytheresa
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Alexander McQueen taps into a dark, romantic Victorian-esque aesthetic with this sweet white and blue floral maxi. Fitted with a high neckline, crochet-trimmed placket and lace inserts in white, and contrasting white fabric with ditzy cornflower blue florals seemingly ”patchworked” onto the dress, Style this dress with a statement waist belt and edgy ankle boots.

2. Zimmermann Super Eight floral-print cotton-blend maxi dress, S$2,190 from Matchesfashion

Credit: Matchesfashion
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Inspired by photographs of her mother in billowing bohemian dresses back in the ‘70s, designer Nicky Zimmermann captures the soft, hazey nostalgia of the past with this gorgeous light green dress that features pastel psychedelic retro florals and gauzy whisper-thin ruffles. A token of love, this dress imbues sweet innocence. The conservative maxi hem line is anchored by a sexy open-back design with wide ribbon ties at the back, making this number a well-balanced spring number that’s neither too revealing nor a total snooze.

3. Batsheva Delsey rickrack-trim cotton midi dress, S$605 from Matchesfashion

Credit: Matchesfashion
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Known for its delightful modern interpretations of vintage frocks, New York-based label Batsheva leans into the ‘70s with this yellow cotton poplin midi dress. Featuring a square neckline, fitted sleeves that puff up at the ends, and black rickrack trimmings, the brand’s “Delsey” dress is finished with a large wide bow at the waistline. Team this dress with a structured box bag and dainty lace-up flats to give this number a contemporary spin.

4. Temperley London tie-neck appliqué flower dress, S$2,340 from Farfetch

Credit: Farfetch
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Rendered in soft seashell pink, this frill-trimmed dress features floral applique in place of vintage chintzy floral prints, making this number a great alternative for those who aren’t big fans of donning prints. Featuring long sleeves and a black ribbon tie at the neckline, this dress sports a conservative hemline which renders it appropriate for the workplace. Team this with a pair of sensible derby shoes and pearl drop earrings for the office.

5. Rodarte ruffled floral-print silk-satin gown, S$6,270 from Matchesfashion

Credit: Matchesfashion
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Adorning striking red silk-satin ribbons at the bodice, this pastel blue dress from Rodarte checks all the boxes when it comes to opulent dressing. Perfect for a spring picnic or a garden party, this dress is practically made for frollicking around on carefree sun-drenched days. Style this stunner with a pair of colourful mules and a raffia crossbody bag for your next weekend outing.

6. Loewe floral-print silk-blend maxi dress, US$3,870 (S$5,378.33) from Moda Operandi

Credit: Moda Operandi
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This cornflower blue dress caught our eye the second it started floating down Loewe’s S/S ‘20 runway show. Featuring a V-neck cutout on the bodice, white ribbon ties to cinch the waist and a handkerchief hemline, this dress is cut from sheer silk-blend fabric for an ethereal effect. Wear this dress over a slip dress in the same shade as your skin for a flawless finish, and complete the look with colourful acrylic hair barrettes and a pair of kitten heeled sandals.

7. The Vampire’s Wife Belle tiered floral-print cotton-poplin midi dress, US$705.13 from Net-a-Porter

Credit: Net-a-Porter
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British label The Vampire’s Wife has recently emerged as a cult brand amongst celebs like Alexa Chung, Margot Robbie and Dakota Johnson. Over the past year, the brand’s Victorian-style ruffled dresses have graced the Instagram feeds of influencers, red carpets and A-list events alike. Rendered in mystical purple, this A-line midi dress sports strong padded shoulders and puff sleeves for a romantic antiquated look. Finished with a tiered hem and a ribbon tied at the back, this dress would look stunning next to a pair of chunky platform boots, silver hoop earrings and a sleek ponytail.

8. Needle & Thread Eden tiered embellished tulle gown, US$457.79 from Net-a-Porter

Credit: Net-a-Porter
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Embroidered with snowflakes, flowers and sparkling sequins, this ornate gown is cut from diaphanous tulle with a multi-tiered skirt trimmed with tonal braiding details. Fit for a fancy gala, this elaborately detailed gown rendered in “French rose” coloured tulle looks ravishing and feminine. Dress yours up with diamond earrings and a crystal-studded clutch for your next grand event.

9. Miu Miu floral print midi dress, S$2,949 from Farfetch

Credit: Farfetch
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Miu Miu’s floral print dress features a sweetheart neckline, sheer lace inserts at the sleeves, bodice, and hemline, and a print consisting of white, green and turquoise blooms scattered across a black silk canvas. Give this dress a professional finish for the workplace by styling it with a lightweight trench jacket and a pair of demure ballerina flats.

10. Doen Bijou smocked floral-print cotton-blend dress, US$371.21 from Net-a-Porter

Credit: Net-a-Porter
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Californian brand Doen pays homage to the native wildflowers that render the California landscape with this cotton-blend dress. Featuring tiny florals in light mint, orange and red, this romantic beige dress has puffy shoulders and smocking along the bodice and sleeves. Complete with ribbons along the waistline and elasticated neckline, this dress can be worn with the sleeves both off and on the shoulder – depending on how you’d like to switch up the look. We’ll be styling this with artful sculptural gold earrings, a matching gold bangle and embellished mules for brunch on Sundays.

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