Looking for some tropical formal dress or vacation dress ideas? Here’s the right place!
If you love dressing up as much as I am, you will know a nice set of outfits accounted for your tropical trip happiness to a large extent!
A summer dress is like a hug in a clothing form ❤️
Ahead, I’ve gathered 10 tropical attire brands and 24 vacation dress brands with different price ranges to get you inspired.
Some are under the radar – enjoy my loves!
1. FARM RIO
One of my favorite clothing brands ever.
This brand reminds me of Zimmermann but their pricing is way more affordable!
Their design is just one-of-a-kind and screams creativity and happiness.
This shirt dress is perfect for a Hawaiian party – such a mood booster!
Who said you can’t look polished in a tropical dress?
This vibrant garden-inspired print looks definitely expensive and brings the most distinctive vibes.
❤️Girl’s fashion hack #1:
Use nail polish clear coat on fraying thread ends to stop further unraveling until you can properly repair the item!
2. Lilly Pulitzer
Featuring vibrant and hand-painted prints, their dresses are hands down the ultimate mood booster!
Their cutting is surprisingly forgiving and the fabric is extra thick.
For the ladies wondering what shoes to wear with Lilly Pulitzer or print dresses overall, I’d say go for the solid hues.
I have a try-on article for this brand. If you are interested, check this out later!
❤️Girl’s fashion hack #2:
Prevent button-down shirts from gapping between buttons by using double-sided fashion tape <3
3. ACLER
This Australian brand never fails to produce high-fashion looking yet wearable dresses.
While this dress is thigh-length, the fully pleated design just makes the dress look more formal.
For an expensive island girl look, team this statement blouse with white flared jeans and espadrilles wedges will look wonderful.
❤️Girl’s fashion hack #3:Rub clear deodorant on the inside hem of pants/skirts to prevent thigh chafing. ❤️
If you are reading this blog post till now, there’s one thing for sure…
You have good taste! <3 If you approve of some of these looks, please kindly pin or share some of these outfits so many tasteful fashion babes can come across this outfit inspo, thanks pretty! ❤️
And…it would truly mean the world to me if you stay until the very end. ❤️
4. BOOHOO
This flowy chiffon dress below is the ultimate day-to-night piece in any girls’ closet.
Of course, for my plus-size babes!
This is such a versatile piece that you can dress it up with pumps or keep simple with sliders.
To get the longer legs illusion, this sassy side slit is a big plus.
This dress just proves you looking sophisticated and fun can co-exist!
❤️Girl’s fashion hack #4:Use rolled-up magazine pages to maintain boot shape when storing – truly work wonders imo lol
5. STAUD
Despite their iconic knit dress, their cotton dresses are equally stunning as well!
Adorned with a distinguished whirlpool print, the one-shoulder piece is divided by color blocks that create geometric cuts through the silhouette.
Is that just me but this color palette looks so serene.
❤️Girl’s fashion hack #5:
Stretch tight shoes by wearing them with thick socks and blowing them with a hairdryer!
6. SAIL TO SABLE
When it comes to this boutique brand, their dresses are timeless, and feminine with a whimsical twist.
Such a fresh breath of air.
This ric-rac trim dress just reminds me of the sea glass of summer and the smell of the beach.
If someone ever invited me to a beach wedding, this dress would be the best wedding guest dress of all time.
Definitely pass the vibes test.
To make the dress look more formal, consider the high-low design.
It just naturally looks more dressy and make your legs appear to be longer!
❤️Girl’s fashion hack #6:
Quick fix – Brighten yellowed white clothing by soaking in a solution of lemon juice and hot water!
❤️For my baddies who wanna spoil themselves: ❤️
It’s almost Christmas (in two months!!)…for the baddies who wanna spoil themselves but don’t wanna break the bank… check out the bags babies below❤️
From my backend data, almost every 3 days someone from LTK and my email list will buy these two bags lol (Different sizes - some prefer mini some prefer the normal).
It's always so fun see from data to know what you girls prefer!
7. DOLCE&GABBANA
Looking for some luxury resort wear or formal tropical attire? D&G will never disappoint you.
This billowy silhouette is to die for.
❤️Girl’s fashion hack #7:
Whenever I feel bloated, I’ll always use a rubber band to loop through a button hole and around the button for a temporary fix to pants that are too tight!
8. DRIES VAN NOTEN
Dries Van Noten is a Belgian fashion designer who is known for both his classic and avant-garde styles.
Need I say more? This dress is as artsy as it’s wearable – obsessed.
❤️ Girl’s fashion hack#8: Keep Jewelry Organized While Traveling hackThread necklaces through drinking straws to prevent tangling – simply clasp the necklace and thread the chain through a straw.
8. AMAZON
Of course, if you want to do it on a budget, Amazon has tons of formal tropical dresses!
Below are my handpicks.
Besides the iconic print dress, the tiered dress is perfect for an Instagramable resort pic as well!
I am thinking should I get this dress in buttermilk yellow shade as well.
Regardless of age, a body-hugging tie-dye dress always gonna make you feel the most sassy and feminine.
Whether you team it with nice pumps or flat sandals, that’s equally flattering.
❤️Girl’s Beauty hack #9:Go for the budget-friendly retinol body cream for a mild but still noticable skin tightening effect!
❤️Affordable pick❤️Advanced Clinical Retinol Cream for firming skin$17.99It really works... Ladies you don't really need the high end skincare - don't fall for marketing <3!
10/25/2025 12:24 am GMT
I’ve been using this jar for 2 years and it works. That being said, if your skin is sensitive so I’m not too sure can you use it.
9. EMILY MCCARTHY
This brand is my proudest found of the year – such a hidden gem.
Emily McCarthy launched in 2012, based on vibrant prints designed by Emily herself and all the prints are so refreshing and original.
A classic Oxford shirt with a playful spin. How cute and forgiving.
This statement tropical dress is the eye candy! The pastel hues always melt my heart.
❤️Girl’s fashion hack #10: Make your lipstick stay longer!
Apply lipstick, then lightly press lips against a coffee filter which absorbs oil without removing pigment like tissues do! Try it out girlies<3
10. Cleo Bella
For the ladies who hold sustainability and ethical practices at heart, Cleo Bella is for you.
Made of organic cotton in India, this statement dress is perfect for your poolside resort day.
If you want to look dressed up in a relaxed silhouette, this dress is your gem.
These intricately placed prints just make this dress look extra elegant.
Amazon shopping tip!
Look for keywords in the description like “darted,” “tailored,” “stretch,” and “contour fit.”
Avoid terms like “boxy,” “oversized,” or “unstructured” unless that is a specific look you’re going for.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
So there you go – the 10 resort wear brands + 24 tropical vacation formal dresses!
What are your thoughts on that? Hope that gets you inspired and it’s time to freshen up your closet!
For more tropical styling tip, check out my other popular posts down below.
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