Fashion 15 Essential Types of Dresses That Never Go Out of Style Each one stands the test of time. By Amber Rambharose Published on September 1, 2023 @ 12:02PM Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Getty Images As long as there has been fashion, there have been dresses. Given that they’re backed by centuries of style evolution, it’s no wonder that there are countless types of dresses to try. Even so, not all dresses are created equally. From trending silhouettes to style versatility, there are a select few types that stand out from the pack. Fashion girlies and experts will agree that for a dress to be essential, it needs to have range. Sure, a special occasion dress dripping in tulle and rhinestones is a lovely piece to own, but you won't get as much mileage out of a dress that can't be dressed up or down with shoes, accessories, and a well-styled sweater. "As a designer, I appreciate dress styles that cater to different occasions and body types."DIARRABLU founder Diarra Bousso tells InStyle. "Dresses that offer both style and comfort while accommodating the changing weather and allowing for versatile layering are ideal," she adds. The essential dress is one you can wear year-round, day or night, and that relies on a great-fitting silhouette rather than trendy dramatic details. Each of our picks for 15 types of dresses that won't go out of style meets this fashion brief to the letter. Ahead, you'll find versatile, classic dresses you'll want to wear year after year. 01 of 15 A Turtleneck Dress Getty Images Turtlenecks are synonymous with chilly temps and a turtleneck dress strikes a perfect balance between chic and cozy. "Turtleneck dresses exude fall sophistication," says Bousso, who recommends pairing this type of dress with ankle or knee-high boots, depending on the neckline. 02 of 15 A Nap Dress Getty Images This comfy wardrobe essential blew up over the course of the pandemic, but it's been a part of fashion history for centuries. Repopularized by Hill House, a brand that keeps the style fresh by dropping new silhouettes and prints each season, you'll spot at least one nap dress variation in our outfit rotations from early spring to fall. 12 Ways to Wear a Nap Dress IRL 03 of 15 A Wrap Dress Getty Images Among all types of dresses, a wrap dress just might be the most classically timeless silhouette. It's definitely, as Bousso puts it, "a true wardrobe essential." There are many reasons the wrap dress boasts decades of icon status and Bousso sums its virtues up nicely, saying, "Its adjustable fit allows for versatility and comfort, making it suitable for both formal and casual settings. I love how it accentuates the waist and offers a hint of playfulness with its crossover front, and it looks beautiful across all size ranges." Here, here. 04 of 15 A Long-Sleeved Minidress Getty Images With a short hemline balanced by more coverage on top, a long-sleeved minidress is perfect for occasions with a conservative-leaning dress code that might exclude other minidresses. "The long sleeves play with the proportions of a miniskirt," says Diana LoMonaco, founder of Classic Six, who adds that this type of dress looks equally put together when worn with shoes ranging from sneakers to stillettos. 05 of 15 A Slip Dress Getty Images This celebrity summer favorite is a true chameleon among dresses. It can transform into a slinky skirt when worn under a sweater, become part of a rock concert uniform, and carry you from day to night with the help of a blazer. Thanks to its traditionally loose fit, a lingerie-inspired slip dress can also be layered over shirts and tees for a more modest — not to mention warmer — outfit. 06 of 15 A T-Shirt Dress Getty Images A simple T-shirt dress is always great to have on hand for errands, lounging, or low-key nights out. Equally cool when worn with a varsity jacket and kicks or heels and a statement bag, the allure of this type of dress is the same as the allure of a basic white tee: it's effortless, classic, and easy. 07 of 15 A Sheath Dress Getty Images This relatively conservative dress style is as much of a staple in business casual settings as it is at weddings and semi-formal daytime parties. Well-fitted, but not clingy, from shoulder to hemline, it operates a lot like a blank canvas, allowing you to highlight statement accessories, create a striking monochromatic look, or fly, quietly and luxuriously, under the radar with a minimalist outfit. 23 Party Outfit Ideas to Wear to Your Next Big Event 08 of 15 A Bodycon Dress Getty Images Hear us out. Bodycon doesn't automatically refer to club wear nor the shapewear-adjacent bandage dresses that were inescapable in the mid-aughts. Rather, a bodycon dress is one with a bit of structure or support that hugs (and celebrates) your curves. It also happens to be one of the best types of dresses for layering, whether under an oversized blazer, a snuggly flannel, or a roomy button-down shirt. 09 of 15 A Sleeveless Collared Dress Getty Images We can't quite call this type of dress a "shirt dress" although it shares the crisp collar of one, because its lack of sleeves and unparalleled seasonal versatilely set it apart. A sleeveless collared dress is an all-weather essential: wear it on its own during summer months, over a long-sleeve tee in the fall or a soft fitted sweater in the winter. The crisp neckline lends itself to the office as much as it does to a garden party and you can drastically change the aesthetic of this type of dress with outerwear as well as shoes — add a blazer and loafers for a prep school vibe or combat boots and a flannel for a punk rock feel. 10 of 15 A Shirtdress Getty Images A genre-defying style chameleon, shirtdresses evolved from an oversized menswear-inspired silhouette and now feature a wide range of fits and silhouettes. Mini and midi shirt dresses have a causal vibe that can be dressed up with heels or down with sneakers while maxi shirtdresses have become formal event staples. Whatever length you choose, LoMonoca cites this type of dress as one of the easiest to style causally or more formally. 11 of 15 A Strapless Midi Dress Getty Images Elegant and unique, a strapless midi dress toes the line between provocative sensuality and reserved dignity. It shines as a cocktail dress for a formal event or a red hot date night look and, like all essential types of dresses, can be radically transformed with the right outerwear layers. Given that this is a strapless style, you'll want to invest in a well-made strapless midi to ensure that you've got all the support you need in the bust area. 12 of 15 A Sweater Dress Getty Images "As the weather gets chillier, a sweater dress becomes a must-have," says Bousso. While the primary characteristic of this type of dress is its texture, that doesn't mean you're limited to a single silhouette. "Whether it's a cowl neck, or V-neck style, sweater dresses provide both warmth and style," Bousso says, adding that "you can accessorize with scarves and knee-high boots for a complete fall ensemble." 13 of 15 A Shift Dress Getty Images Similar to sheath dresses, but with a looser fit throughout, shift dresses are a type of dress that run the gamut from minimal to opulent. We recommend adding a slightly more minimal shift dress to your closet and amping it up with accessories, but a dramatically embellished or boldly printed shift dress is equally as timeless. 14 of 15 One-Shoulder Maxidress Getty Images For more formal occasions, a one-shoulder maxidress is a great option. "The off-the-shoulder maxi dress holds a special place in my heart," says Bousso. "The neckline adds a touch of romance and elegance, while the maxi length creates a sense of drama and grandeur." 15 of 15 An LBD Getty Images Last but certainly not least is the iconic LBD. If there's one dress you keep in your closet, it should be this one. For maximum versatility, we recommend a little black dress that hits above the knee and has subtle, rather than easily recognizable, details so you can reinvent it over and over again.