Casual Fall Dresses

The Best Casual Dresses for Fall

With the end of summer nearing, it’s time to put away our favorite sundresses in exchange for casual fall dresses. From seasonal patterns to simple solids, a closet of casual dresses makes picking out daily wear outfits that much easier. Here, I’m sharing the best casual dresses for fall from favorite stores like Bloomingdale’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Anthropologie, and more:

Rare Feelings Maxi Dress | Elan Tiered Cotton Dress | Lily Anne Maxi Dress

Women’s Casual Fall Dresses

For this style guide, since it still feels like summer here in Florida, I’m focusing on transitional fall styles. These are dresses that are great on their own or layered with tights or a cute jacket.

My go-to styles are mini dresses, because I know I won’t have to worry about hemming them. However, I do love a long, full skirt, too. For your convenience, I’ve split the casual fall dresses I found into two groups by length. Further, I’ve noted styles that come in multiple colors or motifs with an asterisk after the link below the picture.

Daily Wear Autumn Mini Dresses

The third dress from the right on the top row here really inspired this blog post. After a decade of avoiding in Hollister (cue flashbacks of jeans never fitting), I was drawn in by this dress. It fits true to size and is really the perfect casual fall day dress. The Smocked Bodice Mini Dress is super cute, lightweight, and comes in a few colors. I got the red-brown pictured here, but might go back for the blue option.

Top Row: By Anthropologie Robin Tiered Mini Dress* | Eileen Fisher Shift Dress | Smocked Bodice Mini Dress* | Vero Moda Anea Long Sleeve Mini Dress
Bottom Row: CeCe Floral Buds Print Shift Dress | Sea Linda Printed Smocked Dress | CeCe Tiered Babydoll Dress* | Long-Sleeve Button-Through Mini Dress*

Like with the Hollister option, I am drawn to rich florals for fall. The CeCe Floral Buds Print Shift Dress is a great elevated t-shirt dress option. Relatedly, the brand’s Tiered Babydoll Dress offers a looser silhouette. The Sea Linda Printed Smocked Dress is a bit dressier (and pricier) than the others pictured here. However, it was too cute to leave out of this round up. I’ll have to keep an eye out for when it goes on sale!

Midi and Maxi Dresses for Fall

There’s something just so fun about a long skirt. Thanks to the Hill House Ellie Nap Dresses (more on those and smocked styles here), I’ve gotten over my petite-anxiety regarding longer dresses. There are so many great midi styles that suit all heights, like the Short-Sleeve Smocked Midi Dress in the bottom row or even the Elan Tiered Cotton Dress.

Of the long casual fall dresses featured here, I am coveting the Lily Anne Maxi Dress from Free People and The Somerset Maxi Dress from Anthropologie the most. Both come in multiple colors (my favorite motifs are pictured above). For something simpler, the Vince Cameo Jacquard Maxi Dress is a great base layer with a subtle texture that really elevates the dress.