21 Fall Maxi Dresses to Take You From Work to Weddings

(Image credit: Melodie Jeng/Getty Images)

published 26 July 2021

Fall weather ushers in the return of cozy cardigans and sweaters, but comfy can also mean sleek and stylish—we're thinking of knit sweater dresses and billowing long-sleeve maxi dresses. The crisp and cool season lends itself beautifully to an array of maxi dresses, from flowy, floaty dresses perfect for weddings to neutral and work-appropriate maxis. It's hard to know where to begin, but we'll get you started with our favorite 20+ fall maxi dresses to suit your ever-growing social calendar. From brunch to apple picking to the office, you'll find your next favorite maxi on this list.

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Free People Edie Dress

Everyone needs a practical check-print shirtdress in their closet. This one has easy button fastening and a roomy fit, so you can style it, partially unbuttoned, alongside jeans.

Aje Linen Blend Dress

Brides of 2021 (and 2022), this ruffle skirt maxi can serve as your unfussy fall wedding dress. Best of all, this dress can easily and practically be re-worn for other formal events.

Staud Millie Short-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress

This button-down maxi dress is sophisticated and ultra versatile. Style it with sneakers on the weekends and leather boots for the office.

HVN Floral Print Maxi Dress

This bold floral dress is sophisticated enough to wear for your most buttoned-up occasions, but laid-back enough to pack for a trip to the countryside.

Norma Kamali Kamali Kulture Go Turtleneck Maxi Dress

The Turtleneck Dress

This simple, slinky black jersey turtleneck dress is begging for your favorite accessories.

Taibo Bacar Mandevo Shirt Dress

The Feather Shirt Dress

The silk sateen dress is made by local communities in Mozambique. This is a one-of-a-kind piece you won't find at your nearest retailer.

H&M Long Chiffon Dress

Chiffon dresses are warm yet lightweight. This one—with its billowy balloon sleeves and an adjustable back tie—comes in at under $50.

Lost + Wander Madison Long Sleeve Maxi Dress

The Square Neckline Dress

Not ready to give up your bright florals quite yet? This subdued printed version has sleeves that feel fall-appropriate.

GANNI Leopard-Print Satin Dress

Pounce on this animal print maxi dress. Pair it with a denim or a black leather moto jacket for an edgier vibe.

Thierry Colson Floral Cotton Dress

This romantic empire waist dress will gather compliments at late summer weddings and will look ultra-cozy layered with a cardigan come fall.

Frederick Anderson Striped Angora Maxi Dress

Sport this hand-crocheted angora maxi dress for your day-to-day endeavors, or at your next special event.

CO Patch Pocket Dress in Denim

The heavier denim makeup of this dress can easily be incorporated into your autumn wardrobe. Mix and match it with your go-to separates, like blazers and loafers.

MAJE Zebra Print Maxi Dress

Break up your all-black uniform with a zebra print stripe. Pair this dress with your favorite black booties for a statement-making ensemble.

Cos Tiered Maxi Dress

When you're ready to stash away your summer florals, this neutral maxi dress can still stand up to fall weather. Crafted from a mid-weight cotton, it'll be suitable for unpredictable weather in between seasons.

Alexis Vicenta Printed Twill Maxi Dress

This breezy printed maxi dress is ideal vacation-wear, but will also look great with a grandpa-style cardigan and cozy shearling lined slides.

Hope for Flowers Multi Striped Tiered Maxi Slip

The Stripe Dress

This maxi will come in handy for mornings when you're already running 10 minutes behind schedule. To stay warm once the crisp air rolls in, layer a tee or turtleneck underneath.

Diarrablu Awa Kimono Joal

The Vacation Dress

This dress is handmade in Dakar, Senegal. The length can be customized according to your height.

SWF Drop-Waist Tiered Maxi Dress

This dress will come to the rescue for any and all fall wedding affairs. Blend into the fall foliage with this autumnal gold hue.

H&M Oversized Shirt Dress

This ultra versatile shirt dress is the answer to your wardrobe dilemmas—weekend or weekday.

Rixo Floral Print Maxi Dress

Wear this floral print silk dress with heels on Saturday and flats for work on Monday morning. The piece has a pretty twisted front detail and fluttery sleeves that were inspired by the '30s.

Silk Laundry Black Silk Dress

The Maxi Slip

If you're feeling nostalgic for the '90s, scoop up this long, slinky dress. Slip on a casual sandal and top with an extra-long cardigan for those late summer/early fall beachside bonfires.

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