The Ulla Johnson Dress Edit: Romantic Silhouettes, Beautiful Prints & Modern Heirlooms

Ulla Johnson dresses available this season fall into four clear groups: floral and printed midis, sculptural minis and statement midis, gowns and maxis for formal occasions, and everyday dresses in silk, knit and cotton. The label launched in 2000, and its signature remains the combination of a feminine silhouette with a detail you can see, whether that is a painterly floral, a ruffle or a pleat.

 

This edit includes 32 dresses that are currently in stock at NET-A-PORTER and Mytheresa. If you are shopping for tops to wear with the skirts and separates alongside them, the Ulla Johnson Blouse Edit is the companion story, and the Ulla Johnson New Arrivals Edit shows how the dresses sit within the wider season.

Ulla Johnson's signature prints are painterly florals, paisley and jacquard, usually on silk, jersey or cotton. The Elowen floral silk midi dress, the Celestina floral silk chiffon midi dress and the Emmeline floral silk chiffon minidress all use silk to let the print move, while the Fiora floral cotton midi dress and the Ophelia printed cotton-blend midi dress are more structured.

 

For a printed dress with more weight, the Nerissa floral-jacquard midi dress and the Katy knotted floral-print jersey turtleneck maxi dress suit cooler days, and the Ida paisley jersey midi dress is the most relaxed. Style them with a boot or a kitten heel, and keep the jewelry small so the print stays the focus.

The most architectural Ulla Johnson dresses use pleating, ruffles and heavy fabrics to hold a shape. The Cosima strapless ruffled pleated duchess-satin midi dress is the clearest example, and the Lumina strapless gathered crinkled taffeta midi dress and the Demetria asymmetric ruffled metallic taffeta midi dress take that idea toward evening.

 

Among the minis, the Sloane suede minidress and the Emmeline ruffled silk chiffon minidress show two very different sides of the label, one clean and tactile, the other airy and ruffled. The Juliette paneled patent-leather midi dress, the Coco lace-trimmed silk-satin midi dress and the Laure crepe and chiffon midi dress complete the group.

The Ulla Johnson dresses that work for weddings and special occasions are the gowns and maxis in this group. The Katerina pleated floral-jacquard cloqué gown, the Dorothea tiered gathered ruffled silk-chiffon gown and the Florence embroidered tulle and silk crepe de chine gown cover black-tie dressing, while the Eugenia pleated lamé gown from Mytheresa is the most formal of all.

 

For a wedding guest, I would look at the Aureline one shoulder silk dress, the Avalina ruffled silk maxi dress or the Anastasia silk-blend chiffon bustier gown, which keep a ceremonial feel without being heavy. The Orla crochet-knit and tulle gown is the most textural. Check each retailer page for length and fit before you buy.

The most wearable Ulla Johnson dresses are the silk, knit and cotton midis. The Sabrina and Ameline silk crêpe de chine midi dresses, the Marielle ruched silk midi dress and the Elaria ruched silk maxi dress move well, while the Amina fringe-trimmed wool-blend midi dress and the Iona jacquard-knit midi dress are warmer.

 

For lighter days, the Constance broderie anglaise cotton midi dress and the Isolde embroidered tiered cotton midi dress feel airy and handmade. A boot or a suede mule works with the knits, and a kitten heel works with the silks. For more shoes and styling ideas, see our guide to Ulla Johnson Dresses and the Ulla Johnson Wardrobe Edit.