Spring Dress Try-On Haul: Hits & Misses

Z Supply Sloane V-Neck Mini Dress in Black

at Z Supply (size M) // Paul Green Hadley (8)

DETAILS: Easy and breezy, this v-neck mini dress is made from soft, midweight cotton jersey for all-day comfort. The sleeveless, relaxed fit makes it perfect for dressing up or keeping it casual.

• Cotton Jersey: 100% Cotton
• Machine Wash Cold, Gentle Cycle, Hang to Dry

Even though this dress is labeled a mini, I liked the look of it enough online to give it a try—if nothing else, I figured it could double as a swim cover-up.

I really like the v-neckline, the bra-friendly straps, and the easy fit. And the fabric is especially nice—soft and comfortable, but with enough weight to feel substantial. It skims the body without clinging, and the “washed black” has a subtle fade that adds a bit of interest and just the right touch of edge.

That said, it’s a little shorter than I typically go for, and I just feel a bit too bare in it. It could totally work as a cover-up, but I think I tend to prefer gauzy styles for that.

VERDICT: I’m undecided on this one. It’s very cute, but I’m not sure I’ll reach for it.

Old Navy Vintage Mini T-Shirt Dress in Blue Wing Teal

at Old Navy (M) // Paul Green Hadley (8)

DETAILS: A super relaxed fit with lived-in feels.

• center back seam
• 100% cotton jersey
• machine wash

I ordered this sleeveless tank dress from Old Navy because I loved the bright teal color. The length is better on me than the one above, and I actually think it’s pretty flattering from the back—which isn’t always the case with these shift-style dresses.

But from the front, it just doesn’t quite work. The neckline is super high, and the fit around the armholes feels a little awkward.

VERDICT: I decided to return this. It’s fine, but I feel like I can do better.

Kingsley Knit Dress

at EVEREVE (M) // Paul Green Hadley (8)

DETAILS: Add the Kingsley Knit Dress to your casual spring collection, featuring a crew neckline, bra-friendly gussets at the armholes, and a relaxed silhouette. 

• Length from Shoulder to Hem: 34 1/2″
• Material: 100% Cotton Slub Jersey Knit
• Care: Machine Wash Cold, Tumble Dry Low

These are going from bad to worse! This dress really missed the mark for me, but I’ve had a few people ask about it, so I wanted to include it. I didn’t find the cut to be very flattering or forgiving on an, ahem… more mature body. Maybe if I had sized up to a large, it would have looked more like it does online, but overall it’s just too straight, and the fabric doesn’t have enough weight or drape to hang nicely.

VERDICT: Returned. Not a flattering fit, and the fabric didn’t do it any favors.

Rails Stripe Rib Midi Tank Dress in Black Birch Stripe

at Nordstrom & on sale at Bloomies (M) // Paul Green Hadley (8)

DETAILS: Crisp stripes energize this soft and stretchy cotton tank dress punctuated with airy side slits at the hem and perfect for a summery outing.

• 46 1/2″ length (size Medium)
• Side slits
• 95% cotton, 5% spandex
• Machine wash, tumble dry
• Made in Peru

This is a really nice quality dress—as it should be at this price point! I like the cutaway sleeves; they tend to be more flattering than a traditional tank style. It’s definitely body-con, which I tend to steer away from these days, but the fabric and construction feel substantial enough that it’s actually kind of forgiving. I think with the right shapewear, I might really like it.

The length is great—just past the widest part of the calf—and the side slits give it a little movement, which helps keep it from feeling too closed-in.

VERDICT: Undecided for now. It’s flattering in some ways, but I’d want to try it with shapewear before deciding.

Nordstrom Stretch Cotton Ribbed Tank Dress in Pink Wild Aster

at Nordstrom (M) // Paul Green Hadley (8)

DETAILS: Breathable stretch cotton enhances the comfort of a ribbed tank dress you’ll wear on endless repeat.

• Slips on over head
• Crewneck
• Sleeveless
• 97% pima cotton, 3% spandex
• Machine wash, tumble dry

This dress is a similar style to the Rails one, but at a lower price point. In the medium, it’s not quite as body-con on me—which I actually don’t mind. (I could probably size down to a small, but I kind of like having the extra room.) The fabric is a bit stiffer and less clingy, which makes it feel a little more forgiving.

It has a nice length, those same cutaway sleeves and side slits, and a subtle seam down the back that adds just a bit of detail. I love this bright pink, but it also comes in a few other color choices.

VERDICT: Keeping for now. The fit is easy and flattering, and I love the color.

Gap Modern Rib Maxi T-Shirt Dress

at Gap (S) // Paul Green Hadley (8)

DETAILS: Our soft & stretchy cotton-modal blend that hugs you just right. It’s your new 7-days-a-week essential.

• Crewneck.
• Short sleeves.
• Slits at hem.
• Cotton 58%, Modal 38%, Elastane 4%
• Machine wash

I was drawn to this simple t-shirt maxi dress for its clean, minimal style—and it really does create that long, lean silhouette we’re all after. While it is quite long, it shows a couple inches of skin at the ankle, which keeps it from feeling too Amish… if you know what I mean. It also has side slits (a must for these longer styles!) and I appreciate that the crew neck isn’t super high. It’s more of a jewel neckline, which I find much more flattering.

That said, it’s very body-con. I didn’t even want to post the rear view. In the striped Rails dress above, the pattern helps camouflage things, but in this solid color, you see every lump and bump. I’d definitely need shapewear to feel comfortable wearing this one out.

VERDICT: Undecided. I like the simplicity and silhouette, but there are a few more contenders…

Frank & Eileen Harper Perfect Tee Maxi Dress in Navy

at Frank & Eileen (M) // Miz Mooz Leather Fisherman Slide Sandals (39)

DETAILS: Meet the crew neck, boyish tee of your dreams in full-length form. Our Perfect Tee Dress is airy and easy to wear with a gently curving, never-too-tight body, short sleeves, and longer length.

• Hand-cut, curved raw hem and edges
• Ribbed crew neck
• Short sleeves
• 54″ length from shoulder to hem (size S)
• Heritage Jersey, 100% Cotton
• Made in Sunny California

This one’s definitely a splurge, but the Frank & Eileen quality really shines through. The fabric is their thick heritage jersey cotton, and it gives the dress a beautiful shape and silhouette. I love the raw edges and the shirttail hem—it feels elevated but still relaxed.

That said, the sleeve length isn’t the most flattering on me, and the crewneck is pretty high, which I don’t always love.

VERDICT: Undecided. The quality and shape are great, but I’m not sure the neckline and sleeves are doing me any favors.

Frank & Eileen Cory Vintage Muscle Tee Maxi Dress in Navy

at Frank & Eileen (M) // Miz Mooz Leather Fisherman Slide Sandals (39)

DETAILS: This vintage tee-inspired dress is just the right amount of boxy and drapes loosely across the body with a cool, raw edge hem that amps up that vintage feel.

• Hand-cut, curved raw hem and edges
• Ribbed crew neck
• Cap sleeves
• 51″ length from shoulder to hem (size S)
• Heritage Jersey, 100% Cotton
• Made in Sunny California

After I received the Harper, I saw the Cory advertised on Instagram and immediately ordered it. I had a feeling the muscle tee styling would work better for me—and it definitely does. I find this one much more modern and flattering overall.

My only reservation (aside from the price point) is the length—it’s very long, especially in the back—but I don’t think it’s a deal breaker.

VERDICT: Likely keeping. The fit is more flattering than the Harper, and I love the modern silhouette. I also like that it’s not as body-con as the Rails or Gap dresses—it has a bit more ease without feeling oversized.

J.Crew Knit boatneck midi dress in stripe

at J.Crew (M) // Sam Edelman Deacon Slides (8)

DETAILS: This boatneck dress is as easy as it is elevated, thanks to a body-skimming fit and a comfy ribbed fabric with a hint of stretch. Perfect for any occasion, you can dress it up, dress it down and wear it on repeat.

• Fitted silhouette.
• Falls above ankle, 51″ from high point of shoulder (based on a size 6).
• 96% cotton/4% elastane.
• Machine wash.

Here’s another contender in the t-shirt style midi/maxi category. I like the stripe design on this one and the subtle A-line silhouette—it has potential! But the fit just isn’t quite right on me. It feels really long in the torso, and the proportions are off. Maybe I need to try the petite.

VERDICT: Returning. The style is cute, and it’s a nice quality, but the fit’s not quite right.

J.Crew Cabana mini dress in linen

at J.Crew (S) // Sam Edelman Deacon Slides (8)

DETAILS: This breezy style comes with a V neckline that shows a hint of skin, a removable tie at the waist for a cinched-in effect and gathered details along the collar and cuffs. Plus, it’s crafted from lightweight 100 percent linen to keep you cool all day long.

• A-line silhouette.
• Falls above knee, 35 1/4″ from high point of shoulder (based on a size 6).
• On-seam pockets.
• Slip lining.
• 100% linen.
• Machine wash.

Finally, this is the dress I tried in a medium and decided to re-order. It’s not my typical style, but I kind of like it. It has an easy, breezy feel, and the fit is actually pretty flattering. It could be a nice option to have on hand.

That said, I’m on the fence about the long sleeves. The combination of linen, long sleeves, and a short skirt feels a little off-season—I wouldn’t have worn it a month ago, and now it almost feels too late.

VERDICT: Undecided. Cute in theory, but the timing and styling might make it tricky to wear.

Okay, that’s a wrap for this try-on haul! I’d love to hear your thoughts—did any of these catch your eye? Let me know if you’ve tried any of them or are thinking about ordering one. You can find everything linked below, and stay tuned… more spring finds are coming your way soon!