This time of the year is so fun, especially when it comes to fashion! Everyone is planning what to wear to a graduation, what to pack for vacation, and what outfits to don for upcoming summer gatherings. The answer? Dresses! While you could certainly wear shorts or pants for many of these events, I most often find myself reaching for dresses. And if you’re a lover of beautiful silhouettes and stunning prints, like I am, an Oliphant dress is not to be missed! Today I’m going to share some of the reasons why I love this brand, where you can buy their clothing, and of course, my current favorite styles.

About the Brand

Inspired by her love of color and travel, Cara Hotchkiss founded Oliphant in 2012. The brand strikes a wonderful balance between whimsy and feminine. Every season they deliver a new crop of striking prints and interesting silhouettes. And the details on each Oliphant dress are truly exquisite. They follow traditional techniques like hand-block printing, beading, and hand embroidery to create their garments. Additionally, they only use fabrics and materials of the highest quality.

Why I love Oliphant Dresses

Oliphant popped onto my radar a few years ago, and I instantly fell in love. The brand creates beautiful styles that are easy to wear and perfect to pack. It’s no secret that I love fun prints, which happens to be one of the brand’s strong suits. Additionally, there’s an Oliphant dress in just about every length and sleeve style you could possibly want! I find their styles to be extremely versatile, as most are easy to dress up or down. While I’ve loved many of their pieces over the years (as shown here and here), this latest drop has some of my all-time favorites!

Styling My Current Favorites

Choosing a favorite Oliphant dress is nearly impossible. I was able to narrow it down to my current top six, but even that was difficult! As I previously mentioned, I love how versatile these dresses are. Each can be styled in many different ways, making them worth the investment. I’m going to share some styling ideas for everything from casual errands to a fun date night. These Oliphant dresses can truly do it all!

Midi Shirt Dress

If I were forced to choose a favorite Oliphant dress, this midi shirtdress might be the one. I am a sucker for the midi length and the flattering tie waist. Plus, I love the preppy, yet modern, vibes of this cut. The print screams Americana, making it a great style for Memorial Day weekend or the Fourth of July.

For styling, I decided to pair this dress with these polka dot platforms. I love a good print mixing! To top it off, I added these red oversized stud earrings and this jacket. I like how these pieces pull out the hint of red in the dress. Of course, a look is never complete without sunglasses, so I added my favorite $15 shades from Amazon in light blue. Not only would this outfit be wonderful for summer holidays, but also a Friday date night!

Mini Short Sleeve Oliphant Dress

Let’s switch gears and talk about a more casual piece from the latest collection, this tropical print mini. You could style this Oliphant dress 100 different ways! For this look, I chose to pair it with these fisherman sandals. Another fun way to style this dress would be to dress it down with these sneakers. For more casual styling ideas be sure to check out some other favorite sneakers to wear with dresses! To complete the look, I added this raffia crossbody bag and these under $40 sunglasses, which I wear all the time. This is a great weekend on-the-go look! I feel comfortable and casual, yet put together.

If mini dresses aren’t your thing, this beautiful print also comes in a few other styles including this ladylike midi, this tie strap dress, and this swing skirt. I honestly love them all!

A Maxi Moment

Most of the Oliphant dresses I’m styling today are poplin or linen. But this maxi dress is made from a lurex viscose, giving it a bit more sheen. The moment I saw the multicolored stripe material, I knew I had to have it.

When styling this one, I took the more is more approach. I wasn’t afraid to add bold accessories, despite this being a statement making style on its own. To really play up the color, I paired it with a rainbow tote from my spring bag edit and easy slides. This Oliphant dress is a perfect example of a style that can be worn from day to night. It looks great styled casually with a straw tote and slide sandals. But, you could also add a heel and a gold clutch to instantly dress it up!

A Ruffled Frock

So far I have really been focusing on streamlined styles that don’t have a ton of ruffles or tiers. But, if ruffles are your thing, you won’t want to miss this scalloped mini dress! While it would look great with flats, such as these (currently on sale), I opted to pair this dress with these sky high platforms, which I love. For this styling, I wanted to give off a “vacation” look. So, I added these fish earrings and an oversized straw tote. If you love this Oliphant dress, but prefer a midi length, be sure to check out this similar style!

One Shoulder Oliphant Dress

I’ve always adored a one shoulder silhouette, and this maxi dress is no exception. The neckline and print on this one make for a home run combination! When styling a one shoulder dress, I typically stay away from bold necklaces. Instead, I opt for a pair of statement earrings or bold bracelets.

I chose to fancy up this Oliphant dress with gold heels, statement studs, and a gold minaudière. This would be a great outfit to wear to a wedding welcome party. And for another take on this stunning modern print, check out this smocked back dress.

Embroidered Maxi Dress

That’s right, Oliphant also offers embroidery and embellishment in this collection. Like I said, I really feel like they do it all! I love the green, black, and coral color combination in this maxi shirt dress. While this piece does have a self-tie waist for cinching, I decided to add a bold belt. The details on this dress are stunning by themselves, so I kept the accessories minimal with a simple combination of black and gold. To complete the look, I added these under $20 sandals and this top-handle bag, which I love (you can read my full bag review here). 

Oliphant Dress FAQS

1. How do their dresses fit? Almost all Oliphant dresses are alpha sized and run TTS. I wear an XS, and I find that many of their styles are looser or have adjustable waistbands that are accommodating.
2. Do they ship outside of the US? Yes! This brand ships worldwide!
3. What is their return policy? All styles, (with the exception of final sale items), can be returned within 14 days. Between 14 and 45 days, items can be returned for store credit.
4. Do you have a discount code? Not a specific code. However, if you are a first time customer, you can sign up to receive emails here. This will get you 10% off your first full-priced purchase!
5. Where can I purchase Oliphant pieces? You can buy directly from Oliphant on their website. You can also shop their styles at Tuckernuck, Garmentory, or Monkees! 

Beyond Dresses

While Oliphant is known for dresses, they also design other pretty pieces. They have a small, but mighty, selection of skirts and a great range of tops. My two favorite top silhouettes are the pintuck ruffle top and the balloon sleeve top. These look amazing paired with wide-leg denim, a great pair of jean shorts, or a sweet mini skirt. 

Oliphant Dress Favorites

No matter what style catches your eye, an Oliphant dress is sure to be a special piece in your wardrobe that stands the test of time. They have styles perfect for every occasion, from a graduation ceremony to an upcoming vacay. For more summer style inspiration, be sure to check out some of my favorite dresses with sandals, sneakers to wear with dresses, one piece swimwear, and jean shorts.