The appeal of denim is universal. Were we to go nosing around in every wardrobe in the UK, we reckon there wouldn’t be a single one missing the fabric.
Denim’s greatest draw is its versatility. While jeans are an obvious staple, a denim dress is a wardrobe essential too, working for all sorts of occasions and settings.
From prairie-style dresses to red carpet gowns, there’s not a look or style that can’t be made up in denim. It crosses all divides, from class, wealth and geography. With added stretch and new ways to make them sustainable, they’ll continue to be in the fashion spotlight for the foreseeable.
To prove it, we’ve rounded up the best denim dresses to buy now. From the high street to high end, here are the best denim dresses to live in.
Shop our edit below
High street denim dresses
La Redoute Collections Denim Midi Shirt Dress with Long Sleeves
Office dressing in the summer can be a minefield, but a shirt dress is one way to navigate through it all. Made from 100 per cent cotton, the shift style closes with press studs and there are three pockets to hold the essentials. A tie belt pulls you in at the waist, offering structure if required. Whether it’s with a striped tee underneath or teamed with woolly tights and boots, this is an investment piece you can reach for every month of the year.
Buy now £55.00, La Redoute
Karen Millen Eyelet Scallop Edge Contrast Woven Midi Dress
Inspired by catwalk designs, Karen Millen’s midi denim dress allows you to adopt the trend for less. With a wide belt and gold eyelets set across the dual-textured dress, it’s a statement piece to roll out for smart-casual moments. Currently available in sizes 6 - 14.
Buy now £124.00, Karen Millen
Topshop halter frill denim dress in bleach
Enjoy your summer of fun in a lightweight halter neck denim dress made for sunny days. Available in sizes 4 - 18, keep it in your warm weather rotation and roll it out for winter sun holidays in the future too.
Buy now £36.00, ASOS
Levi’s Hendrix denim dress in blue
Perfect for work as well as off-duty style, this dungaree dress from major denim brand Levi’s is practical and functional. Dress it up with a mesh blouse or tee and come winter, continue to get wear out of it with a black roll neck sweater underneath.
Buy now £90.00, ASOS
Monsoon Bria embroidered denim dress blue
With a high empire line and contrast stitch embroidery, Monsoon’s midi denim dress is perfect for a multitude of occasions. It’s ideal for pear shapes with the skirt flowy loosely over the hips. Buttons along the centre front offer a pretty detail. Part of the brand’s S.E.W Sustainable range, it’s available in sizes 8 - 22.
Buy now £52.50, Monsoon
Glamorous mini shift dress in checkerboard denim
Not all denim dresses have to be blue. For a different take, try this mini shift dress which has been patterned in a cool tan checkerboard print. Available in sizes 6 - 16.
Buy now £38.00, ASOS
ASOS DESIGN Denim racer back dress in marble print
Denim is what you make it. Upgrade the lightweight fabric with a chic marble print. This slim fit racerback piece does it well, and is perfect for summer parties and nights out on the town. Comes in sizes 6 - 18.
Buy now £32.00, ASOS
Mango Denim dress with slits
Offering an edgier look to the denim dress, this mini sports side splits, puff sleeves and a high hemline, making it perfect for those who like to show off their pins. Team with biker boots and lashings of black eyeliner to dial up the attitude.
Buy now £35.99, Mango
Karen Millen Trench Denim Midi Pencil Dress
A trench-style pencil dress in dark denim has our full attention. Featuring all the hallmarks of the outerwear - think shoulder flaps, epaulettes and a double button fastening - it’s a mix of 98 per cent cotton and two per cent elastane, offering a slight stretch that should fit your form like a glove.
Buy now £116.00, Karen Millen
Albaray Denim Scoop Neck Midi Swing Dress
A loose frock for carefree days, this smock midi is perfect for weekend lounging or casual days at the office. There are two side pockets ready to keep your essentials secure and a tie neck for a romantic twist.
Buy now £89.00, M&S
Designer denim dresses
Ahluwalia Jade smocked checked organic denim mini wrap dress
Coloured denim has a special place in our heart. Ahluwalia’s wrap mini dress has dopamine-boosting joy in the bag with jade green and cream checks under waves of pink lines. It’s a dress destined to help you stand out from the crowd.
Buy now £550.00, Net-A-Porter
Rixo Becca Denim Polka Dot Collared Midi Dress
This twee take on a denim dress stays true to Rixo’s DNA with cute details conspiring a cottagecore-ready vibe. There’s polka dots, a wide collar with a red thread edge and embroidered cherries, finishing things off perfectly. Available in XS, S and M sizes.
Buy now £255.00, Liberty
Givenchy Square-neck peplum denim mini dress
Denim with a difference, Givenchy’s SS22 collection holds all kinds of sartorial treasures, including this peplum mini dress with a zip up front. The sleeveless design features two front pockets and a square neck. Get it in sizes 6 - 14.
Buy now £1330.00, Selfridges
Stella McCartney Blue tie-dye stretch-denim mini dress
Never say goodbye to summer in this retro-look mini from Stella McCartney. Covered in a 90s tye-dye print, it’s an easy breezy piece to wear when the sun comes out to play.
Buy now £625.00, Harvey Nichols
Alexander McQueen Strapless fitted denim midi dress
McQueen is back with its distinctive style manifested through denim. This heavyweight non-stretch dress forgoes straps, allowing you to add harnesses or other accessories to dress it up or down as you wish. Offered in sizes 6 - 12.
Buy now £1350.00, Selfridges
Gucci Love Parade horsebit-detailed pleated denim mini dress
Putting its signature stamp on a denim dress by way of the horsebit details, Gucci has the clean and preppy look nailed with this denim mini.
Buy now £1350.00, Net-A-Porter
Chloe Embellished organic denim and scalloped leather maxi dress
Denim meets its match against panels of leather in Chloe’s maxi length creation, which offers an elevated twist on the humble denim dress. The organic blue denim is punctured with eyelets while the leather, sourced from Leather Working Group-medaled tanneries, is also finished with cut out details on the sleeves. Pair with patent leather boots to channel luxe frontier woman.
Buy now £5705.00, Net-A-Porter
