Calling All Print-Lovers: Shop the Best Toile Dresses of Summer

About an hour’s walk south of Versailles sits the French village of Jouy-en-Josas, the location from which the Toile de Jouy print gets its name. The iconic pattern splashed all over the best toile dresses has been around since the 18th century (originally made in Ireland before it became popular in France) and is characterized by its thinly illustrated pastoral scenes, often in shades of red and blue. It’s a rare and romantic example of an aesthetic maintaining its relevance for hundreds of years and one ripe for a revival, year after year. 

Need proof? The runways have plenty. Stella McCartney, Dior, and Khaite all included the Toile de Jouy print in their spring/summer and resort 2022 collections, with McCartney’s take on toile entailing a clever hand-drawn mushroom print. And boutique brands of the moment, such as Miaou and Alanui, have also introduced the motif for the current season in modern silhouettes like strapless ruched midis and crochet-trim maxis. The best toile dresses hit the sweet spot of feeling nostalgic and romantic—but also modern and relevant. To see this over 250-year-old print brought to life, continue below to shop our edit for the months ahead.