The 18 Best Gingham Dresses for Every Occasion
The quintessential summertime print isn't just for picnics.


A staple summer print wildly popularized by Bridget Bardot in the '40s, the best gingham dresses provide a bit of sweetness and smart sophistication in one fell swoop. For summer 2023, designers are reviving the gingham print— evolving dresses for much more than just beach excursions and park picnics.
Tory Burch has mastered the gingham print with the office-appropriate Claire McCardell dress. Designers like Carolina Herrera and Brandon Maxwell give the checked pattern elevated appeal, abbreviating hemlines and injecting unexpected sequins. Others are designing the perfect weekend-geared gingham dresses that seamlessly pair with slides and sneakers.
Give your summer florals a break for just a moment; there's a statement-making gingham dress for you. These are our 18 tried-and-true picks of the best gingham dresses for any occasion.
For Daytime
Lightweight but durable by nature, a gingham check dress, often made from a cotton blend, is the ideal piece for a bevy of summer's daytime activities—from picnics to farmer's markets to beach excursions. Maximalists can experiment with floral or striped accessories, while others can compliment a cheery gingham print with versatile straw bags and fisherman sandals.
For the Office
Sophisticated silhouettes, embellishments, and details like built-in belts and convenient side pockets make the newest iterations of gingham print dresses perfect for office days and lunch meetings. Go for a long-sleeve variety that's the perfect anecdote to chilly office AC. Smartly style yours alongside a pair of kitten heels and your favorite laptop bag or briefcase.
For Special Occasions
A gingham dress fits your busy summer social calendar– from showers to weddings. With designer details like fringe, sequins, and ruffles, the humble gingham print transforms into an outfit that wows. Style your party-appropriate ensemble with a sleek handheld bag and a pair of stilettos.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

Sara Holzman is the Style Director for Marie Claire, where she's worked alongside the publication for eight years in various roles, ensuring the brand's fashion content continues to inform, inspire, and shape the conversation about fashion's ever-evolving landscape. With a degree from the Missouri School of Journalism, Sara is responsible for overseeing a diverse fashion content mix, from emerging and legacy designer profiles to reported features on the influence of social media on style and seasonal and micro trends across the world's fashion epicenters in New York, Milan, and Paris. Before joining Marie Claire, Sara held fashion roles at Conde Nast's Lucky Magazine and Self Magazine and was a style and travel contributor to Equinox's Furthermore website. Over her decade of experience in the fashion industry, Sara has helped guide each brand's style point of view, working alongside veteran photographers and stylists to bring editorial and celebrity photo shoots to fruition from start to finish. Sara currently lives in New York City. When she's not penning about fashion or travel, she’s at the farmer’s market, on a run, working to perfect her roasted chicken recipe, or spending time with her husband, dog, and cat. Follow her along at @sarajonewyork
-
Princess Anne's Unexpected Suggestion About Mike Tindall's Nose
"Princess Anne asked me if I'd have the surgery."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Queen Elizabeth's "Disapproving" Royal Wedding Comment
She reportedly had lots of nice things to say, too.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Palace Employees "Tried" to Get King Charles to "Slow Down"
"Now he wants to do more and more and more. That's the problem."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Trump's Tariff Chaos Forces Women-Led Brands to Strategize and Adapt—Fast
Independent designers have the most to lose, and shoppers will feel the impact.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
Florence Pugh Is the Lingerie Dressing Trend's Poster Girl in a See-Through Stella McCartney Mini Dress
She loves a see-through look.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber Match in Little Black Dresses With Individual Twists
The two looked nearly identical while attending the Broadway premiere of ‘Good Night, and Good Luck.’
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
Marie Claire Editors Are Obsessed With This Cult-Favorite Sale
SSENSE has everything a fashion enthusiast could ever want.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
These Best-in-Class Brands Thrive by Staying Small
Forget dominating an entire fashion industry. These labels are satisfied with perfecting a single category.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Spring 2025's Candy-Coated Shoe Color Trends Prove Neutrals Are Overrated
Bold pastels and sugar-sweet hues promise to overtake your boring shoe lineup.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
Issa Rae Is Fueling Her Mogul Era With More Me Time
The key to her success lies in self-care.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
13 Hailey Bieber Outfit Formulas Defining Her Laidback Personal Style
Copy and paste to your closet.
By Lauren Tappan Published