There’s something v. exciting afoot. Along with my usual summer dress go-tos (a stretchy black midi dress, a chic white linen one), I keep eyeing up dresses in (what I’m calling) exhilarating prints.

The Summer Dress Trend We’re Obsessed With: Prints & Patchwork

These dresses have prints so unapologetically bold and beautiful they’re not just making my heart beat fast…but after a year of almost nothing but joggers, they’re singing to my soul.

And instead of being overwhelming or difficult to wear, I’ve found that these happy, hopeful dresses have an irreverent vibe that’s almost casual. Which means that they look just as cute with sneakers as they do with heels.

dress (xs) | bag

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dress (xs) | bag | sneakers | mules

While not all prints are created equal, I think the nonchalant vibe comes, in part, from the very modern twist on the patchwork dress trend. The result is a playful mix of prints that is both fun and dead easy to wear.

dress (xs) | bag | sneakers | mules

The Best Printed, Patchwork Summer Dresses (& Where To Buy Them)

The bad news? These darn dresses keep selling out — fast. Clearly, I’m not the only one enamored with this vibe. To help in the search, I’ve first rounded up a few of my favorite brands that are reliably making some seriously gorgeous patchwork dresses. All of these have that playful, modern feel I’m so drawn to. And then I have a shopping widget with few other dresses to consider (while they last).

1. Roller Rabbit Dresses

I had first heard of Roller Rabbit because they made seriously cute pajamas for women and kids. At some point, they started making 100% cotton dresses (I always appreciate the use of natural fibers), including the dress I’m wearing above. My dress is almost sold out (a common theme for these gorgeous prints), but I was able to find other Roller Rabbit dresses at our usual haunts:

2. Emerson Fry’s India Collection

Sustainable, slow-batch Emerson Fry’s India Collection has been nailing this vibe for years. (In fact, Laura recently did a ‘worth it’ post on two of the caftans, here.) Emerson Fry takes the patchwork trend in a decidedly boho direction…but is no less exciting (or fabulous).

patchwork blues midi (left) | short caftan (middle) | long caftan (right)

3. Farm Rio Dresses

Julieta first introduced the team to Brazilian-based Farm Rio (here’s her latest swoon session), and we’ve been smitten ever since. Not only does Farm Rio have the irreverently fabulous print on lock, but even their standard (read: not patchwork) prints give off a similar vibe. In summary? They’re ALL fun to wear, and pair best with sneakers or a simple heel.

4. Pretty Patchwork Dresses At Nordstrom, Saks, Anthropologie & Reformation

A few more of my favs, too pretty not to mention.

5. Patchwork Dresses Under $100

There are some screaming good deals in here.

xo,

S