Romantic Dresses

Soft fabrics, pretty patterns, demure designs -- all of these details come into play when it comes to romantic dresses. Today's designers create fresh new renditions of the romantic dress that offer many options. Take a peek at 10 ideas for feminine, pretty styles. The dress shown here by Chloe offers a flowing, delicate style accented by soft, colorful embellishments on the long sleeves.

Color can be romantic, and the deep dusty rose hues of this Michael Costello dress are both elegant and romantic. Not only is this a trendy shade, it is also flattering for most skin tones. The sheer fabric and gold shoulder strap add to the alluring look.

A mini dress is certainly a sexy look, but with the right design, it can be more romantic and less sexy siren. Flowy fabrics and a sweet off-white hue, like this sleeveless dress by Blumarine, make the mini dress ready for romance. Its short style and soft teal accents make this a perfect dress for warm-weather wear.

Pretty patterns are perfect for a romantic gown. For something different than traditional pastel florals, however, large flowers and darker accents create a fresh yet still romantic look. This striped black and white dress offset with colorful floral accents by Elie Saab is an example of a dress that offers a fresh take on feminine patterns.

Ruffles are another dress detail that are inherently romantic. Ruffled dresses get a modern makeover in larger than life presentations, as in this look from Bipa. A dress with sheer, oversize ruffles adds both drama and romance.

A demure design can make a dress very romantic. In this trendy look by N.21, the modest pinafore-type design, sheer fabric layered over soft knit, and small ruffled trim give a sweet, innocent feel.

The sheer trend can be a very romantic. Soft, pleated sheer fabric and a drapy, A-line style skirt are sweet enough to keep this short style by Alberta Ferretti from looking overly sexy. The soft neutral shade works on many skin tones, and the floral embellishment means very few accessories are needed for a pretty look such as this.

Red is a bold, confident color, but it can also be romantic. Done in long style with a plunging neckline, trendy yet classic velvet fabric, and subtle ruching at the waist like the Marc Bouwer style shown here, the red dress is a romantic classic.

A neutral dress is more subtle, but can be just as romantic. Pops of color, like the green leaves and pink floral embellishments seen on this on this Alberta Ferretti design, add interest to a sweet dress. A higher neckline and sheer fabric create a sweet silhouette.

A bright, spring-inspired floral print paired with an empire waist, swingy skirt with an asymmetrical underlay, and crisp black accents is at once romantic and modern. Whether for Valentine's day, a special date, or just when a whimsical mood strikes, take your pick from romantic dresses like these for sweet style. For more dress style inspiration, see these photos of black evening dresses.