When it comes to fashion, I am definitely pro-investment piece. I wouldn’t call the mess in my closet a capsule wardrobe, but I have learned that if it isn’t a hell yeah, it’s going back on the rack. While I love seeing what all the fashion girls are wearing and reading about all the fun summer trends, I treat seasonal dressing more like a spectator sport—a watching the Met Gala in my PJs vibe. But occasionally, a trend is too good for me to pass up on. And this summer, it’s been the DÔEN babydoll dress that I can’t get out of my head. So I looked, I leaped, and I haven’t taken it off since.
The Olivia Rodrigo babydoll dress discourse might have caused the trend to peak, but this summer silhouette has been on my radar since the spring. Not since the 2020 nap dress has a silhouette so dominated my feed. And after a season trying to justify my purchase with cost-per-wear, I can confidently say that the DÔEN babydoll dress is one of my hall of fame purchases.
Though the $298 price tag is definitely hefty, styling it in fun and unexpected ways has brought a new sense of whimsy into my wardrobe—not to mention the compliments I get literally every time I wear it. I even bought a second one in a different color. Read on for my full breakdown and review of the celeb-loved DÔEN babydoll dress and how to style it. Plus, shop more of my DÔEN favorites.
What is DÔEN?
Who am I to argue with Taylor Swift? Olivia Rodrigo? Sabrina Carpenter? And recently, in this very dress, Bella Hadid and Ariana Grande? DÔEN is the verified celebrity summer uniform. From card-carrying fashion girls to off-duty celebs, everyone is wearing it this summer.
Founded in Santa Barbara by two sisters, the brand marries California cool with French-girl romanticism. The result: good materials, wearable shapes, and a devoted following. From lace-lined dresses to semi-sheer blouses, the brand looks like it’s out of Daisy Jones and the Six mixed with Marie Antoinette. Its versatile styles are just as at home on a Euro summer packing list as they are at a backyard barbecue or wedding.
Just this summer, the brand has been worn by Selena Gomez, Kaia Gerber, Blackpink’s Rosé, Margot Robbie, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and more. Sofia Richie has raved about visiting the Brentwood, Los Angeles location and is often spotted in the brand. Following the footsteps of my quiet luxury queen, that very location is where I finally took the plunge and bought the DÔEN babydoll dress of my dreams.
The DÔEN Daphne Dress
When it comes to styling the babydoll dress trend, there are countless ways one could go. They go from sheer-ish nightgown types to dramatic tulle versions. They can be worn just as easily with combat boots as they can with kitten heels. And this summer, this nostalgic silhouette was the subject of controversy. Is it infantilizing? Sexy? Is it subversive? Whatever you think, the babydoll dress is everywhere. And as a girl raised on grunge, I felt called to revisit a style worn across decades and styles and make it my own.
Officially called the Daphne Dress (very Bridgerton-coded), DÔEN’s version is a classic take on the silhouette. It’s short but not too short, and airy while still being opaque. It’s a repeatable shape that doesn’t get old. The definition of trendy and timeless. No wonder it’s everywhere this summer—and no wonder I couldn’t help but snag it for myself.
DÔEN Daphne Babydoll Dress Review: Is It Worth It?
Just because DÔEN is one of the most snapped and shared brands of the summer doesn’t mean I was immediately sold. Social media often clings onto specific pieces just for them to be overhyped and overpriced. I was wary. Which is why I trekked all the way across L.A. to try the DÔEN Daphne Dress in person.
Immediately, I knew the material was high quality. I’m a proud member of the 100-percent-cotton-obsessed contingent on the internet, and this dress fits the bill. Even after countless washes, it has retained its shape and fit thanks to the quality material. And, despite the wear I put it through, it’s still as bright white as ever. Yes, even after sweating through it during the recent L.A. heatwaves. No yellow stains. No pilling.
But rewind to me standing in the dressing room of the DÔEN store. I pulled the dress on with my fingers crossed, hoping it would look chic and not childish. Thankfully, the shape is the ideal mix of feminine and formless. Details like the ruffled sleeves and collar give it that signature whimsical vibe. And the tunic shape makes it an effortless piece that I can mix and match with almost anything in my closet, from camo hats to bejeweled ballet flats.
How to Style a Babydoll Dress
As the summer of the babydoll dress comes to a close, I have rinsed and repeated this dress countless times. And I kid you not: I get complimented on it almost every time I wear it. Part of the fun is finding new ways to style it.
Keep scrolling for some of my favorite ways to style my babydoll dress. Spoiler alert: I make good use of the millennial tuck (if Zendaya can bring it back, so can I!).
With track shorts
Nothing feels more me than contrasting the femme frills of this dress with sporty accents. Sneakers and athletic shorts with a babydoll dress and chunky jewelry is my go-to look for a day out with the girls.
With sneakers and a cardigan
The classic babydoll dress will always look good with the most simple outfit for the most simple day. And this one reminds me to romanticize each day, instead of saving my good clothes for special occasions. That’s what makes it a wardrobe staple. Throw on some sandals or sneakers, tie a cardigan around you, and go run the most romantic errands of your life.
With knee-high boots
Like I said, sometimes simple is best. A knee high boot and a babydoll dress will always hit, and it works from day to night. This is my favorite look for everything from a concert to dinner with friends.
With baggy jeans
The classic jeans-and-a-top outfit formula gets a revamp with this babydoll dress layered on top of jeans like a tunic. I feel like I’m in a 2000s Disney show. It’s a fresh take on a look that doesn’t fail.
With a fun hat and tote
Sometimes I like to lean into the playfulness of the dress by pairing it with a raffia bucket hat and a striped tote. Finish the look with a pair of colorful sneakers.
With patterned pants
Maximalism doesn’t stop with accessories. For a fun twist, I like to pair this dress with bold prints and fun textures to contrast how demure the dress itself feels. During the day, you can never go wrong with bold pants. For a night out, switch the pants for a sheer or sequin skirt.
Layered under a jersey
Watching the Knicks win it all and then the World Cup this summer might not be the most intuitive occasions to wear a babydoll dress. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. Pair the dress with a jersey and sneakers for a Sporty Spice-inspired look. Add a cap for extra sporty points.
Where to Buy DÔEN
Here’s the one challenge with DÔEN: the price tag. Good quality materials and repeatable designs make it a brand of investment pieces. But unlike some brands, you’re not just paying for the name. You’re getting a piece you can wear forever. You can purchase DÔEN from shopdoen.com, Net-a-Porter, Nordstrom, and Saks.
But you don’t always have to pay full price. While DÔEN rarely goes on sale, you can find pieces on resale sites like Poshmark, The RealReal, Depop, and Vestaire Collective. DÔEN also has its own resale site where buyers can resell their items from the brand at discounted rates. With a brand filled with such high quality items, buying secondhand doesn’t compromise the integrity of the pieces—it gives them new life.
DÔEN Dress Alternatives
White Babydoll Dress Alternatives
Langa Chinyoka, Contributing Writer
Langa is a Los Angeles-based writer and strategist. She is currently an editor and content strategist at a marketing agency. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, British Vogue, Highsnobiety, Eyeswoon, Camille Styles, The Good Trade, and more.
