TIME to get your seasonal wardrobe in check: these are the best autumn dresses available to buy online now.
The transition from summer into autumn is always a great excuse to start thinking about dresses, with knitted styles, cord pinafores and long sleeves all on the cards again.
Having a great selection of autumn dresses in your wardrobe always comes in handy on those mornings when you don't know what to wear, with just one garment to style around, all you need is a few accessories to complete the look.
It's also really easy to throw a cardigan or light jacket on top to deal with fluctuating temperatures, while jewellery and a pop of lipstick can take you from day to night.
To save you precious time, we've pulled together a must-have selection of the best autumn dresses that are available to shop online now.
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Best autumn dresses at a glance:
- Best staple item: Trespass Women's Twirl Dress
- Best everyday dress: River Island Black Stripe Jumper Mini Dress
- Best for going out: River Island Black Boucle Check Mini Shirt Dress
- Best plus size: New Look Curves Dark Green Crinkle Jersey Long Sleeve Mini Smock Dress
- Best on-trend: Nobody's Child Denim Belted Mini Shirt Dress
1. Breampot Women's Jumper Dress
- Breampot Women's Jumper Dress, £24.64 from Amazon - buy here
A simple black jumper dress is a staple for autumn.
You can dress it up, down, wear it to work or for weekends in town, all the while looking effortlessly chic and timeless.
This one by Breampot features balloon sleeves, giving it gentle volume and statement.
Cable knit detailing features just on the sides, to stop the dress from looking too bulky.
It's also available in a selection of other colourways, including green, white and pink.
'This dress was a perfect fit. It's absolutely beautiful and the lines on either side add a bodycon effect,' raves one shopper.
2. Trespass Women's Twirl Dress
- Trespass Women's Twirl Dress, £21.62 - £40.89 from Amazon - buy here
You know it's autumn when you start dreaming of corduroy again – and what better way to do cord, than with a classic pinafore dress?
Featuring button closure straps and two front patch pockets to add to the laidback vibe, this cord beauty by Trespass comes in a rich burgundy hue that's perfect for autumnal colour palettes.
It'll look great styled with a statement blouse, simple jersey top or a roll-neck jumper for added warmth.
Shoppers are impressed, with one writing: 'Gorgeous colour, bought as an Xmas gift... the recipient loved it.'
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3. Border Print Raglan Midi Dress
- Boden Border Print Raglan Midi Dress, £130 from Boden - buy here
Boden is filled with an array of stylish dresses that are perfect for autumn, like this paisley print midi.
The blue background adds contemporary vibrancy to the retro pattern, while the silhouette is both flattering and comfortable, with a fit and flare shape, elasticated waistband and full-length, gathered sleeves.
Pair with a statement boot and you're good to go.
4. Eloise Cord Midi Shirt Dress
- Boden Eloise Cord Midi Shirt Dress, £130 from Boden - buy here
Another corduroy pick, we're loving the olive green hue of this Boden midi, which is given a relaxed vibe thanks to the shirt dress silhouette.
Also available in pink and navy, the addition of a waist belt adds shape and structure, but it can also be detached if you'd prefer to add your own.
'Perfect little dress, looks more expensive than it is', says one five-star review.
5. River Island Brown Satin Halter Neck Maxi Slip Dress
- River Island Brown Satin Halter Neck Maxi Slip Dress, £55 from River Island - buy here
Fashion journalist and broadcaster, Louise Roe, has impeccable style, so her edit for River Island is definitely worth checking out.
Slinky in satin, this maxi slip has a stunning reddish-brown hue that will add warmth and depth to every skin tone.
The halterneck silhouette makes this a worthy going-out option: just add heels and a leather jacket thrown over your shoulders à la Ms Roe.
6. River Island Black Boucle Check Mini Shirt Dress
- River Island Black Boucle Check Mini Shirt Dress, £60 from River Island - buy here
This super-cute 60s-inspired mini dress is selling fast at River Island, so don't miss out if you love the look of it.
The boucle weave is perfect for adding autumnal texture – and while it might look 'office-y' at first glance, those diamante buttons are pure glamour.
Wear yours with an ankle or knee-high boot for post-work cocktails.
7. River Island Black Stripe Jumper Mini Dress
- River Island Black Stripe Jumper Mini Dress, £50 from River Island - buy here
If your wardrobe doesn't contain a slouchy and relaxed jumper dress, you need one stat.
Perfectly versatile for casual daytime walks or dressing-up with jewellery and heels after dark, this silhouette is so easy to wear, not to mention comfortable.
River Island's version features a bold black and white stripe and a chunky knit that's balanced out by the mini length.
8. New Look Cream Knit Collared Maxi Dress
- New Look Cream Knit Collared Maxi Dress, £33.99 from New Look - buy here
Do 'cosy' from head to toe with this knitted maxi dress in from New Look.
The cream colourway is chic and neutral, perfect for building various looks around.
The split hem makes for comfortable wear and will look just as good with knee-high boots as it does with trainers, pictured above.
9. New Look Curves Dark Green Crinkle Jersey Long Sleeve Mini Smock Dress
- New Look Curves Dark Green Crinkle Jersey Long Sleeve Mini Smock Dress, £19.99 from New Look - buy here
New Look's Curves range has a great selection of autumn-ready dresses including this smock design.
Reasonably priced and a timeless style you'll be able to wear for many seasons to come, the dark green hue gives it real impact.
'Fab dress - good value and true to size,' writes one glowing five-star review.
10. New Look Black Jersey High Neck Micro Mini Dress
- New Look Black Jersey High Neck Micro Mini Dress, £25.99 from New Look - buy here
Dare to wear a micro mini? Then don't sleep on this New Look number.
With a high neck silhouette and long sleeves, this dress is pure sophistication, whether styled with knee-high boots or loafers.
Plus, the soft jersey fabric and regular fit make it as comfy as it is chic.
11. M&S Collection Textured Checked V-Neck Midi Tiered Dress
- M&S Collection Textured Checked V-Neck Midi Tiered Dress, £39.50 from M&S - buy here
Tiered gingham dresses are always a summer hit – so why not carry the look into autumn with this M&S midi?
The brown and black check is perfect for matching with the rustic colours of the season, while the modal-rich fabric has a soft textured feel to keep you warm.
The voluminous sleeves, tired skirt and tie belt at the waist make this a real statement silhouette that's also easy to wear.
12. M&S Collection Jersey Printed Round Neck Mini Skater Dress
- M&S Collection Jersey Printed Round Neck Mini Skater Dress, £25 from M&S - buy here
'Perfect for autumn' says one five-star review about this skater dress, with another pointing out M&S's handy length variations: 'I am always looking for a dress which covers my knees but midis are too long. I was pleased that this mini in the long size was just what I wanted.'
Emblazoned with a blue abstract print, the long-sleeved skater style is stylish, flattering and a versatile option for lots of occasions.
At £25, you can't go wrong.
13. Nobody's Child Knitted Funnel Neck Mini Jumper Dress
- Nobody's Child Knitted Funnel Neck Mini Jumper Dress, £75 from M&S - buy here
Cold days will be all the more stylish with this jumper dress in your life.
Crafted from a fabric blend containing wool and recycled polyester, it features a funnel neckline and statement chunky buttons for a snug autumnal look.
Team with tights and chunky boots for everyday, comfy wear.
14. Nobody's Child Denim Belted Mini Shirt Dress
- Nobody's Child Denim Belted Mini Shirt Dress, £75 from M&S - buy here
Western style is massively on-trend once again and this denim mini-shirt dress is perfect for tapping into the look.
With a gently A-line cut, short collar and button fastening, it's a tried and tested silhouette that suits practically every figure.
There's even a matching jumpsuit available should you want more denim goodness in your wardrobe this autumn.
15. Mango Round Neck Knitted Dress
- Mango Round Neck Knitted Dress, £35.99 from Mango - buy here
For a contemporary and effortlessly chic look, you can't go wrong with this longline dress from Mango.
Oversized and midi in length, the fine knit fabric is warm without being bulky, while the high collar and slit hem elevate the look even more.
Also available in grey and black, this khaki hue is an online exclusive so you won't find it instore.
How much are the best autumn dresses?
There's no straightforward answer here: prices vary loads, so it all depends on how much you're looking to spend.
In our picks above, we've pulled together autumn-ready frocks for every budget: the cheapest was £19.99 at New Look while the priciest was £130 at Boden.
Where to buy the best autumn dresses?
If you're shopping online, there are a number of retailers we'd recommend. Take a look at our top picks below:
- Boden
- River Island
- New Look
- M&S
- Mango
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