Holland, as a center of textile production, was a particularly noted area of innovation in dress fashion during the 17th Century. Women's dresses in Russia during both the 16th and 17th centuries identified a woman's place in society or their family. Dresses in the 16th century also displayed surface decoration such as embroidery, with blackwork being especially popular. In Italy, dresses were known as ropa and semarra. French women were inspired by Spanish-style bodices and also wore ruffs.

In England, Queen Elizabeth dictated what kinds of dresses women were allowed to wear. Starting in the 1550s, middle- and upper-class women in Europe wore dresses which included a smock, stays, kirtle, gown, forepart, sleeves, ruff and a partlet. Dresses were made snug by featuring slits on the sides of the dress that were pulled tight in order to fit a woman's figure. By the end of the century, these dresses featured a tighter fit on the arms and women's upper bodies. In the 11th century, women in Europe wore dresses that were similar to men's tunics and were loose, with a hemline reaching to below the knees or lower. Historically, dresses could also include other items of clothing such as corsets, kirtles, partlets, petticoats, smocks, and stomachers. Dresses are generally suitable for both formal wear and casual wear in the West for women and girls. Dresses are outer garments made up of a bodice and a skirt and can be made in one or more pieces.

Midi summer dress