13 Best Travel Smocked Dresses for Easter

For us, Easter gatherings make for the perfect excuse to buy cute new dresses. With Easter Sunday coming up, we were thrilled to browse for new dresses. Whether you’re organizing an intense egg hunt, hosting a family brunch, or heading to church all bright and early, a pretty Easter dress is important. With the holiday falling right in the middle of spring, smocked dresses make for the ideal outfit, both for the occasion and the season. The best smocked dresses for Easter we came across employed the same embroidery technique that’s been around for centuries. Basically, smocking involves gathering the fabric to create elasticity (or smocking).

While it’s a common decorative component today due to the popularity of the coastal grandmother aesthetic and cottagecore trend, there’s also a certain amount of nostalgia associated with it. And this vintage-inspired stitching method was perfect for us to debut during the family holiday. Are you also getting excited about the idea of wearing smocked dresses? Here’s a guide to these amazing outfits, especially for wearing them during Easter.

ZESICA Plaid Square Neck Beach Midi Dress

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Best plaid design. We were looking for a spring Easter style that wasn’t floral. After all, even Miranda Priestly famously said, “Florals for spring? Groundbreaking” (cue sarcasm). That’s why we fell in love with the ZESICA Plaid Square Neck Beach Midi Dress, which boasts more than 1,200 perfect 5-star ratings. What’s more, we loved the cute puffed short sleeves on this classy smocked dress, which lent it a casual yet chic look. What’s more, the square neck allowed us to show off our collarbones. The tiered skirt was very comfortable, and we wore the dress all of Easter Sunday and stayed extremely comfortable. Overall, we didn’t have to constantly fuss about anything, right from the sleeves to the puffs, thanks to the elastic shoulder bands that helped keep them in place. 

Maggeer Long-Sleeve Smocked Midi Dress

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We loved the polished look and appearance of the Maggeer Long-Sleeve Smocked Midi Dress, which made it look like a wedding guest dress. However, it also worked perfectly as an Easter dress, which fell right to our lower calves. We had the choice of 12 solid colors with cute Swiss dots, including the stunning burgundy one featured below. What’s more, the dress has a stretchy smocking, which allowed us to flaunt our silhouettes while still being modest at the same time. While there’s a modest crew neck at the front, there’s a single keyhole button closure at the back. A flowy tiered skirt, which was fully lined and not see-through, and with a lovely ruffle detail at the tier, wraps up the features of this gorgeous dress.

MEROKEETY Puff Sleeve Smocked Floral Dress

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Next, we have the MEROKEETY Puff Sleeve Smocked Floral Dress, which was one of the prettiest holiday dresses we’d come across. There are a lot of features we loved about the dress, starting from the crew-shaped neck, which allowed us to show off our collarbones. What’s more, the dress is made from a mix of floral textured chiffon and spandex fabric, which gives it a bit of give. So, we didn’t have to worry about walking or moving in this dress. Thanks to the semi-sheer short puff sleeve and the solid color, we didn’t have to wear the see-through hassles of this dress too. Wrapping things up is the elastic high waist paired with the smocked shirred bodice, which not only flattered our waistline but also gave structure to our entire ensemble.

GOLDSTITCH Smocked Square Neck Maxi Dress

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When we were looking for a dress to stand out amidst the spring holiday celebrations, the GOLDSTITCH Smocked Square Neck Maxi Dress caught our eye. Made from a mix of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, the dress was flowy and lightweight. Thanks to the square neck, we could show off our collarbones, which, along with the puffy sleeves, gave structure to the dress and flattered our silhouette. Aside from the perfect ankle length, we also loved the ruffles along the trim and the elastic high waist, which flattered our mid-section as well. Graceful and chic, this ruffled tiered dress really made us stand out during the Easter celebrations. This is especially true since we paired it with kitten heels and a cute clutch.

PRETTYGARDEN Bow Tie V-Neck Ruffle Midi Dress

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We all know about all-around-smocked outfits, but what about just back-smocked dresses? We’re talking about the PRETTYGARDEN Bow Tie V-Neck Ruffle Midi Dress. It boasted smocking detail only at the back and frankly stood out amidst the sea of dresses we were looking for. The chic design adds a unique touch of femininity to this midi dress in the form of charming front-tie detailing. Thus, it allowed us to adjust the fit and also create a more flattering silhouette. Moreover, the V-shaped neckline created interest around our necks and upper bodies while enhancing our style. Finally, this swing A-line dress boasted a comfortable and snug fit that hugged all our curves lovingly. All in all, this is an iconic piece of dress that’s a must-have for anyone who’s looking to stay on-trend.

PRETTYGARDEN Long Sleeved Floral Smocked Dress

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There’s nothing that says spring more than florals, right? So, we thought, why not invest in a gorgeous floral midi dress for Easter? That’s how we landed up with the lovely PRETTYGARDEN Long Sleeved Floral Smocked Dress, which was made from soft, lightweight 100% viscose, which was as comfortable and flowy as dresses got. What’s more, the dress had no lining, which meant that we were perfectly comfortable in the spring heat of Easter, and the vibrant print wasn’t see-through either. We had the choice of six floral prints and colors, including on the long sleeves. The smocked bodice and the ruffled trim complete what is a chic yet boho piece of clothing, with the stretch in the chest region offering us all-day comfort.

LILLUSORY Flutter Sleeve Square Neck Smocked Midi Dress

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Best solid-colored dress. Comfort meets pretty in the form of the LILLUSORY Flutter Sleeve Square Neck Smocked Midi Dress. We loved everything about this midi dress, starting with the flattering square neckline. So, even women with heavy chests will look flattering in this square-necked dress. What’s more, the smocked bodice, combined with the swing-a-line silhouette, flattered our silhouettes all the more. Made from 100% soft polyester, the dresses draped beautifully against our figures. Plus, the smocked bodice provided us with plenty of stretched movement, with the flutter sleeves finishing off the ensemble with an airy and light touch. Thanks to the 20 options for colors and 6 options for sizes, there’s something for everyone with this dress. Clearly, you can’t go wrong with this dress.

MEROKEETY Flutter Sleeve Smocked Tiered Midi Dress

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We twirled through our Easter events and celebrations wearing the MEROKEETY Flutter Sleeve Smocked Tiered Midi Dress. The dress featured a flowy swing-tiered bottom along with a well-designed, smocked, and ruched bodice. So, the dress expanded to fit our silhouette well, while the swing-tiered bottom gave us a lot of room as we walked and moved. Moreover, the flutter sleeves added a feminine flair to the dress, making the dress comfortable and classy. The unique design also featured a crew-neck back button keyhole closure and an elastic high waist for the ultimate comfort. Not only did the dress come in multiple sizes, but it also came in as many as 25 color choices. We paired it with our favorite kitten heels for a casual, feminine look.

“We loved the solid-colored smocked bodice dress, flutter sleeves, and the general on-trend and comfort of it.”

WOW Travel

BTFBM Ruffles Tiered Smocked Midi Dress

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Best floral design. The flattering BTFBM Ruffles Tiered Smocked Midi Dress was the perfect spring holiday outfit for us. The delicate ruffled and tiered sleeves gave the dress the impression of a flutter-sleeved dress but with more structure. Plus, the sleeves added a touch of grace and liveliness to our Easter celebrations. Thanks to the elasticated smocked bodice and the classic V-neck, the dress drew attention to us and our silhouette, flattering it. Moreover, the vibrant floral print created the ideal romantic boho summer vibe for us to continue wearing this dress well into summer.

But that’s not all. We loved the lightweight and comfy chiffon fabric, which was flowy and soft as it was comfortable for us to wear all day long. Not only was the dress available in many sizes, but it also came in as many as 15 color options. And since it was partially lined, we didn’t need to worry about the see-through problem.

ZESICA Square Neck Puff Sleeved Smocked Midi Dress

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We’re all about sensible yet casual and chic dressing when it comes to Easter. That’s why we loved the ZESICA Square Neck Puff Sleeved Smocked Midi Dress. We truly found our dream dress in this lovely piece, which featured 15 classic solid colors. The pink rose one was perfect for our Easter celebrations since we were going out to lunch with friends and family after church. We especially loved the long flouncy sleeve, which, when combined with the square neckline and the lovely open-back design, was as classy as it was trendy. Finishing off the dress’ design was the shirred elasticated top and the maxi skirt. Thanks to the shirred top, the dress boasted a flattering silhouette, while the maxi skirt gave it a flowy feel throughout.

YESNO Smocked Tiered Midi Dress

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There’s something about tiered midi dresses that looks flattering on everybody, just like this YESNO Smocked Tiered Midi Dress. Thanks to its casual yet upscale design, this dress added a whole lot of feminine flair to our closet and our Easter dressing style. This midi dress was made from 100% soft cotton and breathable enough for us to wear all day long and perfect for the hot summer days ahead. We especially loved the lined, tiered silhouette and a smocked body that allowed us to stay comfortable.

But what we especially liked was that the combed cotton was not just fine and delicate, but it also made the print more vivid and brighter. If that wasn’t enough, the dress came in a whopping 43 colors, which left us with more choices than we could count! We paired this with our favorite pair of sneakers and stud earrings for Easter.

Kranda Tiered Smocked Maxi Dress

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In March 2022, the then-Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton stunned onlookers in a fabulous floral Tory Burch dress, and we were immediately fascinated. The Kranda Tiered Smocked Maxi Dress is as close to the now-Princess of Wales’ dress as it gets and is one of our favorite smocked finds ever. Boasting nearly 4,000 5-star ratings from Amazon shoppers, this dress is a must-buy for Easter. We loved the flutter cap sleeve, which, along with the round neck, was very flattering for those of us with a heavy chest. Plus, we didn’t feel self-conscious. What’s more, the tiny floral print flattered the fit even more, making our silhouettes appear smaller than they were. Finally, it comes in 10 gorgeous colors, including the lovely rust-colored creation you see below. For more details, check out this detailed YouTube review video of this product.

ZESICA Darling Smocked Midi Dress

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Best overall. With hundreds of 5-star reviews, the Zesica Darling Smocked Midi Dress is amongst the top 5 bestselling casual dresses on Amazon – and for a good reason. This dress was made from 100% rayon, which kept us very comfortable in the heat that crept up during Easter. What’s more, it was available in as many as 28 colors, including the gorgeous sage color you see below. In fact, we picked up more than one color for ourselves, and you can too, especially if you have morning and evening functions to attend – like the navy blue far below.

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However, the best bit about the dress was that it was available across sizes XS to XXL, complete with a handy sizing chart. Thanks to the crew neckline, cap sleeves, and cinched waist, the dress was not just comfortable and easy to wear but could also be dressed up or down. It was great to wear something that was trendy and comfy at the same time. It even came with pockets, which was a huge plus in our book! Finally, the fact that it simply slipped on over our heads without the hassles of zippers and came in an on-trend midi length. Hence, we could wear it to church without batting an eye.

You can also check out the details of the original product here.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all smocked dress ideas for the spring holiday, we loved some a little more than the others. Here they are:

• Best overall: ZESICA Darling Smocked Midi Dress
• Best plaid design: ZESICA Plaid Square Neck Beach Midi Dress
• Best solid-colored dress: LILLUSORY Flutter Sleeve Square Neck Smocked Midi Dress
• Best floral design: BTFBM Ruffles Tiered Smocked Midi Dress

How To Choose The Best Travel Smocked Dresses for Easter?

Body shape

The first thing we always consider when choosing any dress, including a smocked dress for Easter, is our body shape. For instance, women with curvaceous body shapes will look great in an A-line midi or maxi smock dress, as they’re flattering. Even women with pear and triangle-shaped bodies will look great in A-line dresses. Women with an hourglass figure are better off with cinched waistlines and open necklines.

Length

The second thing we always consider when choosing Easter dresses is the length. Since it’s Easter, we ruled out mini dresses anyway, as sometimes we’d head out to casual get-togethers and events right after attending church. However, knee-length dresses worked absolutely well. For morning events, we’d choose knee-length or midi dresses with casual shoes such as white summer shoes or even closed-toe sandals. If we’re attending evening events, we’d usually choose smocked maxi dresses with statement statement jewelry and women’s walking boots. So, no matter the Easter occasion, there would be a dress length to suit it.

Fabric

Finally, we come to the materials and the fabrics of the Easter dress. Usually, eco-friendly fabrics like bamboo, hemp, linen, and organic cotton are all great choices. Not only are they sustainable, but also they’re immensely comfortable.

What colors are best for smocked dresses?

Pastel colors, such as light shades of lavender, yellow, green, blue, and pink, are classic choices for Easter dresses. But we’d also opt for brighter colors like turquoise, fuchsia, and coral.

What length should my Easter dress be?

The length of the Easter dress depends mainly on your personal preferences and the formality of the event. Below-the-knee and midi dresses are usually perfect for most occasions, while maxi dresses can be a great choice for evening Easter events.

What footwear should I wear with my Easter dress?

Sandals, especially closed-toe ones, not only suit the occasion but are also comfortable for more casual Easter events. To ensure the perfect Easter transitional outfit, you could also try wearing ballet pumps, flats, or Mary Janes.