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
TURQUOISE DRESSAW BRIDALAW Philippa Dress
$39.99 AW BRIDAL
TURQUOISE DRESSSAM EDELMANLong Sleeve Plisse Maxi Dress Turquoise
$128.00 SAM EDELMAN
TURQUOISE DRESSCHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDFancy Lace Satin Mermaid Formal Gown Sexy High Slit Sweetheart Neck Prom Dress - turquoise
$149.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HARVEY NICHOLS USCourrges Logo Twill Mini Dress - Turquoise
$669.77 HARVEY NICHOLS US
HELLO MOLLY (US)Turquoise Breeze Maxi Dress Sage
$105.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
HARVEY NICHOLS USPucci Printed Tulle Maxi Cover-up Dress - Turquoise - 44 (UK12 / M)
$824.33 HARVEY NICHOLS US
DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONSLustre Fringe Halter Dress - Turquoise - Large Child - Dance Dress D11359
$59.95 DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONS
HELLO MOLLY (US)Cabo Nights Halter Mini Dress Turquoise
$85.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
KOSHER CASUALPast The Knee T-Shirt Dress - Comfortable A-Line Silhouette - Turquoise Navy Waters / Large
$54.90 KOSHER CASUAL
THE LUXURY CLOSETEscada Turquoise Knit Ruched Beaded Tassel Midi Dress
$189.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
THE LUXURY CLOSETSandro Turquoise Floral Print Silk Midi Wrap Dress
$172.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
HELLO MOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Turquoise Waters Mini Dress White
$99.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Outfit Of The Night One Shoulder Midi Dress Turquoise
$95.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)
GIFTOMORYMystical Masks - A Dress that Tells Stories
$45.00 GIFTOMORY
THE LUXURY CLOSETM Missoni White/Turquoise Zig Zag Knit Sleeveless Midi Dress
$250.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
AW BRIDALAW Philippa Dress
$39.99 AW BRIDAL
HELLO MOLLY (US)Grapevine Midi Dress Turquoise
$89.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)
FARMRIOFloraline Mini Dress, FLORALINE CREAM
$230.00 FARMRIO
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
ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.Mermaid Turquoise Beaded Long Prom Dress
$149.99 ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.
SAM EDELMANLong Sleeve Plisse Maxi Dress Turquoise
$128.00 SAM EDELMAN
HAGGAR.COMHaggar Premium Comfort Dress Shirt
$39.99 HAGGAR.COM
SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 201, Turquoise
$109.95 SKATE GURU INC. - US
HELLO MOLLY (US)Sapphire Soirée One Shoulder Maxi Dress Turquoise
$119.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)
WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE USSweet Cheeks Halter Mini Dress Turquoise
$89.99 WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE US
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDStunning Sweetheart Ball Gown Prom Dress Beaded Bodice Tiered Tulle Formal Evening Gown - turquoise
$201.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 202SW, Turquoise
$169.95 SKATE GURU INC. - US
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDCharming Lace A-Line Tulle Gown Romantic Formal Prom Dress Slit - turquoise
$157.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
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., LIMITEDFancy V-Neck Lace Tiered Tulle Ball Gown Romantic Sparkly Spaghetti Strap Prom Dress - turquoise
$201.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HELLO MOLLY (US)With You Satin Maxi Dress Turquoise
$99.75 HELLO MOLLY (US)
JOE BROWNSWomen's Pop Of Bright Jersey Dress - Size 8 - Turquoise - by Joe Browns
$48.00 JOE BROWNS
SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 196, Turquoise
$175.95 SKATE GURU INC. - US
CERQULARWomens Navy Blue Floral Shift Dress Long Sleeve S Bright Print Casual
$27.29 CERQULAR
SKATE GURU INC. - USSagester Figure Skating Dress Style: 202SW, White
$169.95 SKATE GURU INC. - US
HELLOMOLLY (US)Speaks For Itself Satin Halter Maxi Dress Turquoise
$95.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
SKATE GURU INC. - USFigure Skating Dress Style A15 Turquoise Italian Fabric, Handmade
$189.95 SKATE GURU INC. - US
HELLO MOLLY (US)Turquoise Waters Mini Dress Yellow
$85.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)
AW BRIDALAW Louella Dress
$99.99 AW BRIDAL
HELLO MOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Capsule Dress Turquoise
$89.75 HELLO MOLLY (US)
JOE BROWNSWomen's Petite Summer Meadows Crinkle Maxi Dress - Size 8 - Turquoise - by Joe Browns
$60.00 JOE BROWNS
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDSexy V-Neck Satin Mermaid Prom Dress Spaghetti Strap Lace Bodice Backless Formal Gown - turquoise
$189.99 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
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDFancy Lace Satin Mermaid Formal Gown Sexy High Slit Sweetheart Neck Prom Dress - turquoise
$149.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HELLOMOLLY (US)Turquoise Breeze Maxi Dress Black
$99.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
AW BRIDALAW Faye Dress
$94.99 AW BRIDAL
UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAMUmgee Printed Tie Neck Ruffled Hem Dress
$70.55 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM
−30%
SUPERDRY (US)Superdry Women's Women's Mini Cami Beach Dress Turquoise / Bali Blue Anemone$69.94
$48.96 SUPERDRY (US)
−12%
ROLLER RABBITKids Catalina Ceri Dress$78.41
$69.00 ROLLER RABBIT
−12%
ROLLER RABBITKids Vanna Embroidery Arna Dress$78.41
$69.00 ROLLER RABBIT
−50%
JUNOACTIVEQuikEnergy Swim Dress Turquoise - FINAL SALE, 2X / 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
