Complete List: 100 Different Types of Dresses with Pictures

A dress with a fitting bodice and a gathered skirt.

50+ different types of dresses for women

Dresses, dresses everywhere, not a name I know. Have you felt this way, looking at all the different types of dresses available in the stores?

There are hundreds of different kinds of dresses – in every style imaginable. Let us check out the most important types of dresses.

Names of Dresses

1. Aline dress

This dress basically follows the Aline silhouette – ie flowy from the shoulders. It can also have a fitted defined waist but the hem is always flared giving the whole silhouette the shape of a capital letter A.

2. Tent dress

A shapeless tentlike full dress, that hangs loosely from the shoulders; it has a baggy silhouette and is usually worn short. The airy billowy dress is a favorite as a summer wear.

3. Yoke dress

This is a type of dress with a shaped top portion of the bodice which is separate from the bodice. The yoked dress can have a front yoke or back yoke or both

4. Empire line dress

This is a high waist dress that has a fitting bodice till just under the bust and then a flowy silhouette

5. Shift dress

This is a short sleeveless dress that skims the body without a fitted waist.

6. Dirndl dress

This is a European traditional dress originally worn by peasants there;The dress has an apron with lacing on the back or front.

7. Sheath dress

A close fitting dress usually ending near the knee. Usually there will be a slit in the back so that you can walk comfortably.

8. Low or drop waist dress

This is a loose fitting dress with the skirt seam being somewhere near the hip rather than at the waist length.

9. Tunic dress

This is a loose fitting dress ending near the hips or near the knee , usually with slits on the side seams.

10. Princess seam dress

This is a dress with a princess seam down the bodice.

11. Blouson dress

This is a dress with a fitted/clinched waist which will cause the top portion to have a billowing effect.

12. Shirt waist dress

This kind of dress resembles a shirt in the top portion, with a collar and an open front button placket.

13. Wrap around dress

This is a style of dress with an Asymmetrical closing. This dress usually has one side wrapped over the other side and usually has a tie which closes the front opening.

14. Peasant Dress

This is a dress originally worn by the peasants in Europe, with raglan sleeves or very loose sleeves.

15. Baby doll dress

A baby doll dress refers to a short sweet dress with a fitted bodice ( at times a bralette) and a loose gathered skirt. This is usually is used as a nightgown. A dress with gathers above the waist and long sleeves is also referred to as a baby doll dress. Check out the tutorial to make a baby doll dress.

16. Body con dress

This refers to a tight fitting body hugging dress made of a stretchy fabric. It usually ends near or above the knee.

17. Cocktail dress

This is a short dressy dress meant for attending semi-formal functions.

18. Debutante dress

This is a white gown typically worn by debutantes on their first ball. The white formal full length gown is usually accompanied by white kid gloves.

19. Skater dress

This is a dress that has a fitted bodice and a very flared circular skirt. They have an Aline silhouette with a very defined waist.

20. Camisole dress

This dress resembles the camisole worn as a slip or nightgown. A camisole dress is a longer version of this and is usually worn over tops.

21. Pinafore dress /Jumber dress

This is a collarless, sleeveless low cut dress which is worn over tops / blouses.

22. Granny dress

A granny dress is a loose fitting dress with long sleeves. This dress usually has ruffles or flounces and a high collar.

23. Harem dress

This is a full length dress with a flared cut narrowing down to a narrower hem. It is usually made in a flowy fabric.

24. Trumpet dress / Mermaid dress

A trumpet dress has a fitted bodice till the knee or just below the knee where it flares to the hem.

25. Maxi dress

This is an informal full length / ankle length dress usually made with a flowy fabric.

26. Apron dress

Apron dress is a sleeveless dress with a bib and a skirt attached to it just like an apron.

27. Sweater dress

A sweater dress is a long sweater that can be worn on its own as a dress. It is usually knee length.

28. Swing dress

A swing dress has a fitted top portion near the bust and then flaring to a knee or above knee length hem.

29. Tutu dress

Tutu dress is a tutu (gathered skirt made with tulle fabric ) with a bodice attached.

30. Sun Dress

A sundress refers to any dress which is casual and suitable for the summer. They are usually made in flowy lightweight breathable fabrics.

31. Little Black Dress

This refers to a short dress made in black.Usually this is a fitting dress which is short. Read more on an LBD here.

32. Coat dress

A coat dress resembles an overcoat with lapels and openings.

33. Corset dress

This is a dress that is fitted around the bust using a corset . The corset shapes the body with lacing.

34. Balloon Dress

A balloon dress refers to a dress with a hemline turned inwards so that the bottom edge looks like a blown up balloon.

35. Bouffant dress

This is a full length gown with lots of ruffles.

36. Paneled dress

This is a dress which is fitted in the top portion and then flares gradually towards the hem. This effect is usually achieved with panels.

37. Handkerchief hem Dress

This type of dresses have an asymmetrical hem which looks as if a handkerchief is held from the middle.

38. Gathered dress

This is a dress with a gathered waist.

39. Kaftan Dress

Kaftan is a loose fitting dress with billowing side seams; it is sewn as one with bodice and sleeves and usually ends near the ankles or feet. Check out the pattern and sewing tutorial to make a Kaftan.

40. Pillowcase dress

This refers to a dress made for kids with fabric from a single pretty printed pillowcase and some fabric straps to tie them to the neck.

41. Slip Dress

A dress which simply looks like a slip you wear inside as an undergarment. A slip dress is usually worn as an overgarment .

42. Shirt dress

This is a longer version of the shirt with collar and an opening in the front (full or partial).

43. Ball gown

Ball gown is a formal full skirted gown.

44. Party dress

This is a generic name for a dress worn for different kinds of parties. Basically it is an elaborately made dress.

45. Off Shoulder Dress

A dress without straps or shoulder joining seams and sleeve caps; the shoulder is laid bare with the sleeves and the bodice cut off at the shoulders. When this kind of dress has a shoulder seam with only the top of the sleeves cut off, it is called a cold shoulder dress.

46. One shoulder dress

A dress with straps or shoulder joining seams only on one shoulder; the shoulder is laid bare on one side.

47. Strapless Dress

This refers to a dress without straps holding the dress together at the shoulders. It is a form fitting style of dress.

48. Halterneck Dress

A dress that features a halterneck.

49. Draped Dress

A Dress with additional fullness pleated gathered or held to one side or both sides.

50. Xray Dress

This is a see through dress made with sheer/transparent fabrics like lace chiffon organza etc. It is usually worn with a slip underneath or strategically placed fabric lining/ embroidery/fabric patches or body stockings underneath to cover modesty.

51. Fit and flare dress

A dress with a fitting bodice and a gathered skirt.

52. Cape Dress

This is a dress that incorporates a cape as part of the dress.

53. Two color Dress

This dress has different colors for the top and bottom – the bodice will be in one color and the skirt will be in another color

Extra questions

What is the name of the loose fit dress worn in Hawaai?

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• 40 different types of sleeves.
• 40 Different types of Underwear
• 45 different types of Jeans
• Different types of Hosiery
• 10 different types of bodices
• 17 Different types of short

Updated on November 15, 2022 by Sarina Tariq

Author: Sarina Tariq

Hi, I love sewing, fabric, fashion, embroidery, doing easy DIY projects and then writing about them. Hope you have fun learning from sewguide as much as I do. If you find any mistakes here, please point it out in the comments.

17 thoughts on “50+ different types of dresses for women”

Me too Gigi. My favorite style. And it is almost impossible to find the style anywhere. Very slimming.

Hello, I’m trying to find a dress or pattern which has a bodice attached to the skirt by a lining giving the appearance of a two-piece. Your help and advise will be much-appreciated. Helen

The books, ‘Dress Pattern Designing’, and ‘More Dress Pattern Designing’, by Natilie Bray will take you through creating blocks (for basic cut and fit) and then creating the detail to adapt the blocks to styles and add the accoutrements required. In essence, making your own patterns to fit you, rather than adapting a commercial item. Athena

Hi Louise
My bad, Thanks for pointing -I have corrected
Spelling…
Dirndle not drindle!
Sorry!
Born with red pen in my head!

I enjoyed browsing the dress types and other pages to get inspirations for my next dress project. I’ve been sewing my own clothes since I was a kid, but I never learned how to design the patterns from scratch so I’m always trying to adapt store patterns to a design I envisioned. It can be pretty frustrating!
Do you know if I could find a sort of ‘master pattern’ for dresses, that would have all the common bodice, sleeve, skirt styles that can mix and match to build any basic dress style? I don’t know if it exists but it would be so useful! I could easily make minor tweaks to accomplish my vision, instead of trying to reinvent a pattern that only matches half my design. Thanks! D

That is not what I think of an A-line dress. It should be fitted on top around the bust and then gradually flares out but not to the point of a tent or swing dress There is no waist band.

Complete List: 100+ Different Types of Dresses with Pictures

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Dress is a fashion item that has the most variations. (That’s why women never get tired of different dresses and can’t get enough of them.)

The reason why there are tons of different types of dresses is that they have different lengths, necklines, sleeves, waistlines, silhouettes, designs, styles, patterns, fabrics, cultures, and more.

Sounds a little bit abstract, right?

In this post, I will show you all the different types of dresses as much as I can. You will see over 100 types of dresses with pictures so that you can understand the dresses better.

P.S. There is gonna be more in the future!

Before you see the dresses, I highly recommend you to…

1. Use the Table of Contents to see all the dresses in this post. You can directly see one of the dresses if you click it.
2. Press Ctrl+F on Windows/Command+F on Mac, and type the name of the dress or keyword you are looking for. You will find the dress a lot easier.

Alright, let’s begin.

1. Dresses with Different Lengths
   • Mini Dress
   • Midi Dress
   • Maxi Dress
   • Floor Length Dress
   • High Low Dress
2. Dresses with Different Necklines
   • Crew Neck Dress
   • Boat Neck Dress
   • V-Neck Dress
   • Plunge Dress
   • Square Neck Dress
   • Sweetheart Neckline Dress
   • Cowl Neck Dress
   • Choker Neck Dress
   • Halter Dress
   • Mock Neck Dress
   • Turtleneck Dress
   • Tie Neck Dress
   • Collared Dress
   • Peter Pan Collar Dress
3. Dresses with Different Sleeves
   • Sleeveless Dress
   • Short Sleeve Dress
   • Half Sleeve Dress
   • 3/4 Sleeve Dress
   • Long Sleeve Dress
   • Bell Sleeve Dress
   • Puff Sleeve Dress
   • Drape Sleeve Dress
   • Strapless Dress
   • Spaghetti Strap Dress
   • Tie Shoulder Dress
   • One Shoulder Dress
   • Off The Shoulder Dress
   • Cold Shoulder Dress
4. Dresses with Different Silhouettes
   • A-Line Dress
   • Skater Dress
   • Flared Dress
   • Flowy Dress
   • Shift Dress
   • Tunic Dress
   • Boxy Dress
   • Bandeau Dress
   • Bodycon Dress
   • Mermaid Dress
5. Dresses with Different Waistlines
   • Elastic Waist Dress
   • Tie Waist Dress
   • Belted Dress
   • Corset Dress
   • High Waisted Dress
   • Empire Dress
6. Dresses with Different Designs
   • Ruffle Dress
   • Tiered Dress
   • Shirred Dress
   • Pleated Dress
   • Ruched Dress
   • Twist Dress
   • Drape Dress
   • Wrap Dress
   • Slit Dress
   • Cutout Dress
   • Keyhole Dress
   • Backless Dress
   • Lace Up Dress
   • Tie Front Dress
   • Tie Back Dress
   • Button Front Dress
   • Fringe Dress
   • Asymmetrical Dress
7. Dresses with Different Styles
   • Slip Dress
   • Bustier Dress
   • Apron Dress
   • Two Piece Dress
   • T-shirt Dress
   • Polo Dress
   • Shirt Dress
   • Blazer Dress
   • Sweater Dress
   • Sailor Dress
8. Dresses with Different Patterns
   • Solid Dress
   • Polka Dot Dress
   • Striped Dress
   • Checked Dress
   • Plaid Dress
   • Gingham Dress
   • Houndstooth Dress
   • Floral Dress
   • Tropical Dress
   • Tie Dye Dress
   • Leopard Print Dress
   • Python Print Dress
   • Zebra Print Dress
   • Jacquard Dress
   • Embroidered Dress
9. Dresses with Different Fabrics
   • Cotton Dress
   • Linen Dress
   • Mesh Dress
   • Chiffon Dress
   • Organza Dress
   • Tulle Dress
   • Silk Dress
   • Satin Dress
   • Velvet Dress
   • Sequin Dress
   • Tweed Dress
   • Lace Dress
   • Leather Dress
   • Denim Dress
   • Knit Dress
   • Ribbed Dress
   • Jersey Dress
10. Dresses with Different Cultures
    • Bohemian Dress
    • Kaftan
    • Kimono
    • Hanbok
    • Qipao
    • Ao Dai
11. Learn More About Different Types of Dresses