Scandi and London Girls Agree—This Is Still the Best Brand for Cute Dresses

I've never met a Ganni dress I didn't like. Despite having launched in 2009, it wasn't until 2016 that Ganni became ubiquitous among the fashion crowd thanks to Creative Director Ditte Reffstrup's ability to showcase a new, more modern Scandi style. For years now, fashion girls have been hooked on the pieces that are directional but not too out there, the Who What Wear team included. Initially, when the label caught the eye of the industry, you couldn't move for the Cherry Bomb and Space Cowboy tees seen on every other street styler. Then came the ballon-sleeve jumpers in bright colours that remain popular today.

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(Image credit: @champagnemani)

Style Notes: Ganni florals are never frumpy and are always cool. 

But I truly believe the item that has real lasting power is a Ganni dress. The beauty about these pieces is that they could have been created five years ago and still appear on-trend today. I have a few theories about why this is the case. Firstly, the contemporary brand has stuck to the stuff it knows best. While it dips its toes into newer styles or prints here and there, on the whole, you can rely on it to give you similar style pieces over and over, with a few tweaks for the season. Second, it's tapped into what women really want—clothes that are comfortable but look cool. All of this has led the brand to create cult sellout dress after cult sellout dress. 

Early fans of the brand's dresses will remember it started offering prairie-style frocks way before cottage-core became a thing. There have also been sheer embellished party dresses and easy shirt dresses. Satin dresses with ruffles have been another cornerstone of its frock repertoire. And perhaps the most recognisable Ganni dresses are those that come in florals or leopard print. 

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

Style Notes: Ganni might be very good at doing day dresses, but here's proof that the brand does a great evening look, too, with this zebra-print body-con frock. 

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(Image credit: @hodanyousuf)

Style Notes: If you're looking for tips on how to style a Ganni dress, look no further than Hodan. 

For 2023, it's clear the brand's now-global influence isn't slowing down, and their dresses continue to appear in the most stylish wardrobes the world over (albeit most commonly on the streets of Scandinavia and London). The most recent Ganni show at Copenhagen Fashion Week was only a couple of weeks ago, and it's still one of the hottest tickets in town. While the designs felt altogether more refined for the year ahead—the butterfly-themed show also featured sequins and colour, so will undoubtedly still feed those anti-minimalists (and probably a lot of Gen Z) who crave more personality and fun in their wardrobes. 

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(Image credit: James Cochrane Ganni AW23)

Style Notes: Ganni's AW23 Collection included a lot more knit dresses. 

Keep scrolling and you can shop the best 'easy-to-throw-on-and-instantly-look-good' Ganni dresses for 2023, including plenty we predict will garner cult status. And good news, most Ganni dresses are available up to a size UK24 now too, and you'll find notes on each dress's page about their sustainablity credentials. 

Shop the Best Ganni Dresses:

Next up, Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends: 21 Expert-Approved Looks You Need to See.

Emily Dawes
Affiliate Editor

Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.

Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.

Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.

When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.

Emily is currently on maternity leave.