The Turquoise Dresses We Keep Coming Back To

Turquoise is a colour that photographs better than almost anything else on the spectrum, which is precisely why it earns its place on a rail of dresses rather than staying confined to holiday packing. It sits close enough to blue to feel wearable in daylight, but carries enough green to read as warm against most skin tones, which is why it works on people who claim colour does not suit them. The good versions understand that the shade is doing most of the work already, so the strongest dresses keep the silhouette simple: a clean bias cut, a halter that skims rather than clings, a shirt dress with enough structure to hold its shape without stiffening into something corporate.

Fabric matters more here than in almost any other colour family, because turquoise shows every shift in texture. A matte crepe or a heavier cotton reads as considered and grown up, while a shiny satin in the same shade can tip quickly into costume territory unless the cut is doing something clever, a fluid slip shape or a bias seam that lets the fabric fall rather than sit flat against the body. Look for weight in the hand of the fabric and a lining that stops it clinging in the heat, since this is a colour that gets worn when the temperature is up and the last thing anyone wants is static.

Styling it well is mostly about resisting the urge to compete with it. Gold jewellery earns its keep against turquoise in a way that silver rarely does, and a tan leather sandal or bag does more for the whole look than a matching accessory ever could. For daytime, a raffia bag and flat sandals keep it relaxed rather than costume like.

For evening, a single strong earring and a low heel is enough, since the dress itself is already the statement and does not need reinforcing.

Occasion wise, this is a colour for outdoor lunches, for the kind of wedding held somewhere warm, for any evening where the setting has good light and the dress is meant to catch it. It is not a boardroom colour and does not want to be one. Worn with confidence and against the right skin tones, a well cut turquoise dress does more visual work with less effort than almost anything else in a summer collection, which is exactly why the good ones keep getting worn long after the season they were bought for.

Top Picks

BROOKLYN’S PICK SHOPBOPBell Ophelia Maxi Dress Turquoise And Blue Motif

$484.00 $290.40 SHOPBOP

TAYLOR’S PICK CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDClassy Sweetheart Cut Out Lace Prom Dress Sleeveless A-Line Tulle Formal Party Gown - turquoise

$175.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

CLAIRE’S PICK W CONCEPT (US)O TU Maxi Dress [White] (TLS-2511)

$539.00 W CONCEPT (US)

DIANE’S PICK COTTON ON (US)Cotton On Kids - Gigi Flutter Sleeve Dress - Aquamarine/deep mint stripe

$34.99 COTTON ON (US)

HARPER’S PICK SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 201, Fuchsia

$104.45 SKATE GURU INC. - US

SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 201, Turquoise $104.45 SKATE GURU INC. - US

HARVEY NICHOLS USCourrges Logo Twill Mini Dress - Turquoise $669.77 HARVEY NICHOLS US

HELLOMOLLY (US)Made For Moments Satin Mini Dress Turquoise $89.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)

DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONSLustre Fringe Halter Dress - Turquoise - Large Child - Dance Dress D11359 $59.95 DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONS

AW BRIDALAW Philippa Dress $39.99 AW BRIDAL

THE LUXURY CLOSETSandro Turquoise Floral Print Silk Midi Wrap Dress $172.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

HELLOMOLLY (US)With You Satin Maxi Dress Turquoise $99.75 HELLOMOLLY (US)

HARVEY NICHOLS USPucci Printed Tulle Maxi Cover-up Dress - Turquoise - 42 (UK10 / S) $824.33 HARVEY NICHOLS US

HELLOMOLLY (US)Sapphire Soirée One Shoulder Maxi Dress Turquoise $119.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)

HELLO MOLLY (US)Cabo Nights Halter Mini Dress Turquoise $85.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)

JOE BROWNSWomen's Petite Summer Meadows Crinkle Maxi Dress - Size 8 - Turquoise - by Joe Browns $60.00 JOE BROWNS

SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 202SW, Turquoise $161.45 SKATE GURU INC. - US

COTTON ON (US)Cotton On Kids - Gigi Flutter Sleeve Dress - Aquamarine/deep mint stripe $34.99 COTTON ON (US)

SAM EDELMANLaced Shirt Mini Dress Turquoise $138.00 SAM EDELMAN

THE LUXURY CLOSETM Missoni White/Turquoise Zig Zag Knit Sleeveless Midi Dress $250.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

HELLOMOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Outfit Of The Night One Shoulder Midi Dress Turquoise $95.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)

SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 194, Black $122.95 SKATE GURU INC. - US

HELLO MOLLY (US)Ocean Charm Halter Maxi Dress Turquoise $99.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)

AW BRIDALAW Louella Dress $99.99 AW BRIDAL

FARMRIOFloraline Mini Dress, FLORALINE CREAM $230.00 FARMRIO

HELLO MOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Turquoise Waters Mini Dress White $99.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDClassy Sweetheart Cut Out Lace Prom Dress Sleeveless A-Line Tulle Formal Party Gown - turquoise $175.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

GIFTOMORYMystical Masks - A Dress that Tells Stories $45.00 GIFTOMORY

W CONCEPT (US)O TU Maxi Dress [White] (TLS-2511) $539.00 W CONCEPT (US)

HELLOMOLLY (US)Turquoise Waters Mini Dress Yellow $85.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)

CERQULARWomens Navy Blue Floral Shift Dress Long Sleeve S Bright Print Casual $27.29 CERQULAR

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChic Off the Shoulder Satin A-Line Corset Prom Dress with Slit - turquoise $169.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 169, Turquoise $107.45 SKATE GURU INC. - US

HELLO MOLLY (US)Speaks For Itself Satin Halter Maxi Dress Turquoise $105.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)

CERQULARWomens White & Turquoise Floral Day Polyester Dress UK 10 Elastic Waist Midi $23.39 CERQULAR

HELLOMOLLY (US)All Night Affair Maxi Dress Turquoise $99.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)

SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 201, Fuchsia $104.45 SKATE GURU INC. - US

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDUnique 3D Floral Lace Corset Cut Out Sweetheart rom Dress Illusion Bodice Satin Mermaid Gown - turquoise $141.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDSexy Strapless Prom Dress High Slit Ruched Satin Mermaid Formal Gown - turquoise $175.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

HELLO MOLLY (US)Turquoise Breeze Maxi Dress Sage $105.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)

SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 194, Turquoise $129.95 SKATE GURU INC. - US

KOSHER CASUALPast The Knee T-Shirt Dress - Comfortable A-Line Silhouette - Turquoise Navy Waters / Small $54.90 KOSHER CASUAL

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDElegant Lace Bodice Satin A-Line Cut out Corset Gown Sexy High Slit Formal Evening Dress - turquoise $157.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

AW BRIDALAW Faye Dress $94.99 AW BRIDAL

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDStunning Sweetheart Ball Gown Prom Dress Beaded Bodice Tiered Tulle Formal Evening Gown - turquoise $201.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAMUmgee Printed Tie Neck Ruffled Hem Dress $70.55 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM

HAGGAR.COMHaggar Premium Comfort Dress Shirt $39.99 HAGGAR.COM

SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 196, Black $175.95 SKATE GURU INC. - US

SKATE GURU INC. - USFigure Skating Dress Style A15 Turquoise Italian Fabric, Handmade $180.45 SKATE GURU INC. - US

SELDOM SEEN STYLESWomen's White Bikini Swimsuit Midi Dress Sexy Tight Fit Underwire Bra Pad High Stretch Nylon Lycra Beach Cover Up Swimwear S M $39.00 SELDOM SEEN STYLES

W CONCEPT (US)Mini Heart Glow-in-the-Dark Toby Girls Dress $102.00 W CONCEPT (US)

−12%

ROLLER RABBITKids Catalina Ceri Dress$78.41 $69.00 ROLLER RABBIT

−50%

JUNOACTIVEQuikEnergy Swim Dress Turquoise - FINAL SALE, 3X / Turquoise$144.94 $72.47 JUNOACTIVE

−15%

ROLLER RABBITVanna Embroidery Annika Dress$198.82 $169.00 ROLLER RABBIT

−40%

SHOPBOPBell Ophelia Maxi Dress Turquoise And Blue Motif$484.00 $290.40 SHOPBOP