The promise of warm weather brings with it the opportunity to break out pretty sandals and light-as-air frocks. If you’re hankering for a flirty new cocktail dress, we’ve found 21 affordable options to brighten your wardrobe.



Floral
Choose a floral if you love a feminine print and plan on spending your afternoons in gardens, parks or on terraces. Match your shoes and bag to a colour that runs through the print.

‘Alyssa’ dress, $108, chichiclothing.com. ‘Flight of Fancy’ cotton dress, $138, canada.frenchconnection.com. Button-down dress, $90, winners.ca.



Striped
If you secretly feel that Paris is the rightful home for you, choose a frock that’s covered in black-and-white or navy-and-white stripes. Throw on a wide-brimmed hat and heels and work them like you mean it.

Striped flare dress, $195, anntaylor.com. 424 Fifth fit-and-flare bold stripe dress, $149, thebay.com. Striped turtleneck dress, $70, zara.ca.



Orange
A sunset-orange dress is the perfect choice for a beach wedding or hot date. Pair it with simple gold jewellery and strappy sandals.

Red fit-and-flare dress, $80, express.com. Red shift dress, $80, zara.ca. Orange pleated tie-front dress, $175, bananarepublic.ca.



Denim
Denim is the fabric of the year, so get in on the casual-cool trend with a chambray sundress or medium-wash shirtdress. Keep this look for weekends only and add sneakers or platforms with a slouchy cross-body bag or tote.

Chambray sundress, $20.50, oldnavy.ca. Denim shirtdress, $39, joefresh.com. Denim mini dress, $74, asos.com.



Polka dot
The polka dot, Minnie Mouse’s print of choice, is forever youthful. Roll with the vibe by adding heart-shaped shades and a mini purse, or create a more grown-up effect with a structured back and elegant pumps.

Dropped-waist polka-dot dress, $85, nastygal.com. Anne Klein dress, $149, thebay.com. Jolie dress, $30, sears.ca.



White
Nothing says summer like a spotless white dress. Add coral or teal accessories for daytime and metallic for evening.

‘Hells Bells’ crepe dress, $122, nastygal.com. 424 Fifth flared midi dress, $119, thebay.com. ‘Rocky Mountain’ dress, $158, canada.frenchconnection.com.



Graphic black and white
Fresh and polished, a black-and-white dress goes from the boardroom to evening cocktails. If your dress has spaghetti straps, add a cardigan or blazer for the office.

Floral print shirtdress, $182, anntaylor.ca. Zigzag pleated dress, $185, bananarepublic.ca. Jolie dress, $30, sears.ca.

Read more:
10 maxi dresses under $200
4 ways to wear a pastel skirt
Best handbag shapes to try for spring 2015