30 Best Fall Dresses of 2023

Best Scoop Neck Sweater Dress

Hill House Home The Maude Dress

Best Scoop Neck Sweater Dress

Hill House Home The Maude Dress

Now 30% Off

As a semi-professional Hill House dress collector, I think this may be the label's best sweater dress to date. The sweeping scoop neckline and blouson sleeves are pretty and polished, while the wool blend fabrication guarantees and cozy and comfortable day wearing it. I'm envisioning myself wearing it with a long black hair ribbon and Miu Miu flats for a balletic moment, but the minimal design could go in all sorts of aesthetic directions.

Sizes: XXS–XXL

Colors: Gray, black

Best Slouchy Fall Sweater Dress

Altuzarra Kasos Cashmere Dress

Best Slouchy Fall Sweater Dress

Altuzarra Kasos Cashmere Dress

Can a fall sweater dress be … sexy? Altuzarra says yes, with this cashmere midi that sensually drapes off one shoulder. Note that the powder blue is also a fall 2023 trend—but it’s slightly more versatile than the fire-engine red resurgence happening now.

Sizes: XS–L

Colors: Blue

Best Reversible Dress

Diane von Furstenberg Verina Reversible Mesh Dress

Best Reversible Dress

Diane von Furstenberg Verina Reversible Mesh Dress

Now 26% Off

A mesh dress with a ruched skirt, high mockneck, and seasonal print would earn my "Add to Cart" all on their own. But this dress comes with a secret: It completely reverses to a second gorgeous print, so it's essentially two sleek dresses in one. Layer one size with a leather blazer and boots, then try the other with a merino wool sweater and flats.

Sizes: XXS–XL

Colors: Pansy rosewood/autumn berries, Paris floral/tiny bean

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Belted Sweater Dress

Faherty Jackson Long Sleeve Tie Waist Sweater Dress

Best Belted Sweater Dress

Faherty Jackson Long Sleeve Tie Waist Sweater Dress

Now 20% Off

Here's a sweater dress that will still give you a little structure while allowing you to feel bundled up, thanks to its coordinating tie-waist belt. I'm as tempted to try this with my Reformation x Veja sneakers and chunky socks as I am with a sleek knee-high boot.

Sizes: XXS–XXL

Colors: Claret, oatmeal

What reviewers are saying: "This is a fantastic effortless sweater dress. I feel it runs slightly large, as I originally ordered a medium and exchanged for a small."

Best Mixed-Print Fall Dress

Rixo Meg Dress

Best Mixed-Print Fall Dress

Rixo Meg Dress

This Rixo dress is at the top of my personal wish list. I love how the designers inventively combined two quintessential fall prints—the basic black-white polka dot and an exaggerated leopard print—into a single dress with a layered effect.

Sizes: 2–22

Colors: Leopard/dot, startlet floral, poppy/leopard, and more

What reviewers are saying: “Absolutely adore this dress and know I’m going to get so much wear out of it, a forever dress. I sized down - I’m a 12 but was a bit big so kept the size 10.”

Best Fall Runway Dress

Proenza Schouler Nappa Leather Strapless Dress

Best Fall Runway Dress

Proenza Schouler Nappa Leather Strapless Dress

Behold, the red leather dress that sparked a bona fide color trend and all sorts of social media chatter when it arrived on Proenza Schouler’s runway. It’s the sort of investment that’s hard to resist: The construction and saturated color are unlike any other leather dress on the market.

Sizes: 0–12

Colors: Red

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Quilted Fall Dress

Loeffler Randall Lottie Dress

Best Quilted Fall Dress

Loeffler Randall Lottie Dress

Jessie Loeffler Randall said this quilted dress strikes a special balance: “It’s a statement dress that also feels down to earth.”

She added: “It’s got the appearance of being layered and I love that! It’s actually very lightweight and airy. I’ll be wearing it with our tall shaft Gia boots or with some statement velvet platforms.”

Sizes: XS–XL

Colors: Cream floral, blush floral

Best Tiered Off-the-Shoulder Dress

Sea Loren Dress

Best Tiered Off-the-Shoulder Dress

Sea Loren Dress

Has there every been a more romantic fall dress than this Sea piece? Whether in the dominating shade of the season or a moodier black fabric, the dreamily gathered neckline and frothy tiered skirt belongs in your lineup of fall galas, weddings, and other formal occasions.

Sizes: XXS–XL

Colors: Red, Black

Best Punk Fall Plaid Dress

Vivienne Westwood Checked Midi Dress

Best Punk Fall Plaid Dress

Vivienne Westwood Checked Midi Dress

Plaid is as essential to fall as pumpkin lattes and Nora Ephron films. This Vivienne Westwood dress takes the classic seasonal check and makes it daring, sculptural, and a little punk rock—true to the house’s counterculture roots.

Sizes: 0–10

Colors: Checked blue

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Twisted T-Shirt Dress

Gestuz Ruched Round-Neck Midi Dress

Best Twisted T-Shirt Dress

Gestuz Ruched Round-Neck Midi Dress

Copenhagen-based label Gestuz has delivered the T-shirt dress I know I need for fall. The ruched, gathered waist adds an element of visual interest and creates a slit idea for showing off an over-the-knee snakeskin boot.

Colors: Chocolate

Best Snakeskin Strapless Dress

16Arlington Gray Althena Python Midi Dress

Best Snakeskin Strapless Dress

16Arlington Gray Althena Python Midi Dress

Now 54% Off

This going-out dress has bite. In 16Arlington’s expert ateliers, a simple column gown becomes a capital-M moment when it’s coated in sequins to replicate python skin. Pointed-toe shoes and a dramatic jacket are musts to bring the look together.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colors: Gray sequin

Best Fall Cutout Dress

GIA/irl Gabrielle Dress

Best Fall Cutout Dress

GIA/irl Gabrielle Dress

Sexy, streamlined, and so classic: This modal maxi dress is the sort that you never stop wearing once it arrives.

Sizes: 12–26

Colors: Black

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best ’70s Print Dress

& Other Stories Mini Jacquard Dress

Best ’70s Print Dress

& Other Stories Mini Jacquard Dress

This little mini feels expressly designed for layering with a tissue-thin turtleneck, a pair of leather boots, and a Penny Lane coat. With a big hair bow and a demure kitten slingback, it transforms into holiday party material.

Sizes: 0–12

Colors: Blue jacquard

Best Wedding Guest Dress

Farm Rio Red Cut Out Long Sleeve Maxi Dress

Best Wedding Guest Dress

Farm Rio Red Cut Out Long Sleeve Maxi Dress

Now 50% Off

I have three weddings to attend this fall and several in autumn 2024. For anyone else in the same boat, I recommend this sustainably knit Farm Rio maxi. The unexpected combination of long sleeves and a plunging, cutout bodice can go from city civil ceremonies to beachside outdoor weddings and back.

Sizes: XXS–XL

Colors: Red

Best Fall Floral Dress

Dôen Bijou Dress

Best Fall Floral Dress

Dôen Bijou Dress

When I wore this dress to work on a recent August morning, I was stopped three times between my apartment and my office by strangers complimenting it. I have to agree it’s one of Dôen’s absolute best. The brand updates this square-neck midi with a smocked bodice each season with new fabrics, and each variation embodies bohemian elegance. (Plus, it’s unbelievably comfortable). I plan to layer a brown leather blazer over the top when fall really kicks in.

Sizes: XXS–XXL

Colors: Navy floral

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Off-Duty Denim Dress

Tibi Tencel Cotton Shirtdress

Best Off-Duty Denim Dress

Tibi Tencel Cotton Shirtdress

I tend to wear shirt dresses regardless of the season. Still, I’ll admit that all-over poplin doesn’t quite feel like fall on its own. For a seasonal swap that also has year-round potential, I’m eyeing this denim shirt dress from Tibi. It has all the structure I’m looking for, with a length that can complement boots, mesh flats, and loafers.

Sizes: XXS–XL

Colors: Blue

Best Bold Striped Dress

4SI3NNA Long-Sleeve Striped Sweater Mini Dress

Best Bold Striped Dress

4SI3NNA Long-Sleeve Striped Sweater Mini Dress

Now 37% Off

Chunky gold jewelry, a knee-high boot, and a bold red lip are all this size-inclusive striped sweater dress needs to feel ready for the day.

Sizes: XXS–XL, 1X–3X

Colors: Black/white stripe

Best Status Dress-in-Waiting

Khaite Hans Ribbed-Knit Maxi Dress

Best Status Dress-in-Waiting

Khaite Hans Ribbed-Knit Maxi Dress

Now 40% Off

Last year, Khaite designed a slightly oversize cardigan that became an unassuming It item. I predict history will repeat itself with this thick, ribbed-knit sweater dress. It has the same deliciously soft texture and limited edit of true neutral shades—oh, and some sizes are already selling out.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colors: Merlot, cream

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Velvet Maxi Dress

Ulla Johnson Elodie Bias-Cut Burnout Velvet Maxi Dress

Best Velvet Maxi Dress

Ulla Johnson Elodie Bias-Cut Burnout Velvet Maxi Dress

Now 70% Off

My love for this dress boils down to its rich texture. Sometimes I look at the crushed velvet and see falling leaves; sometimes it has the effect of a subtle animal print. Either way, I can envision a fall full of evening work events, weekend dinners, and the occasional gala, all while wearing this single piece.

Sizes: 0–10

Colors: Orange

Best Fall LBD

Sami Miro Vintage Asymmetric Long Sleeve Mini Dress

Best Fall LBD

Sami Miro Vintage Asymmetric Long Sleeve Mini Dress

Now 30% Off

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that every fall wardrobe requires a little black dress, and runways were newly obsessed with LBDs for fall 2023. Sami Miro Vintage brings the forever staple into an edgy new direction with an asymmetric hem and sculpted ribbed fabric.

Sizes: XS–XL

Color: Black

Halie LeSavage is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's BAZAAR. Her style reporting covers everything from reviewing the best designer products to profiling emerging brands and designers. Previously, she was the founding retail writer at Morning Brew and a fashion associate at Glamour.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qa3RqZyrq5KWx6Kt0WeaqKVfm660tMiopWisopq7pb%2BOoGtpb2JnhXd9jp%2BYpaRdmb%2Bmv9Keqmavn6Kyr3s%3D