How To Dress Like Olivia Dean On A Budget

When an Olivia Dean song comes on the radio, you immediately feel like you've been transported to a bygone era. Soulful beats and a rich mezzo-soprano soothe you from the inside out, and it's impossible not to smile and sing along. Lyrical arcs and grounded melodies leave everyone feeling drowned in honey, in the best possible way. In a top 100 peppered with tunes about instant gratification and meaningless hookups, Dean's music stands out. Reminiscent of a time when art portrayed falling in love and being admirable, Olivia Dean is about as refreshing as it gets.

But even more satisfying than her soulful jive is her fun, modern take on glamorous, feminine style. A lover of column dresses, flattering minis and embellished pieces, Dean, with the help of stylist Simone Beyene, opts for silhouettes that flatter her svelte frame. Unapologetically feminine, Dean's personality shines through in such a way that you feel like you know her intimately, without ever having met her. She comes across as the kind of girl who is always down; someone you'd love to go out with on the weekend, and who is as loyal as she is fun.

Dean recently described her "getting-ready routine" to Harper's Bazaar: "It's normally me, then all my glam squad, and then my management team — all girls, so it's just a lot of female energy. I'm on the aux always; I love DJ'ing for everyone… We are really obsessed with just playing Usher at the minute, especially his song Burn. Maybe we have a little glass of champagne. If it's in the mini bar, we're drinking it. And it's normally really fun. I love getting ready, it's my favourite part of the night." Olivia Dean is the bestie we deserve.

As far as Dean's personal take on style, she told WWD, "[I like to] have fun and play with clothes — especially on stage. [I want to] bring glamour — if people are coming to a show, I want them to feel like it's a show… Sometimes [fashion and beauty] can feel quite unattainable. When I was younger, I was way more into my music and instruments. Now, I feel like beauty, fashion and music go completely hand in hand." She later told Elle Australia, "It's glamour for me on stage. But when I'm not working, I don't wear a lot of designer stuff. I live in trousers." Primetime glam with an off-duty side is all we've ever wanted.

Looking to embody soulful glamour in 2026? Here's how to replicate Olivia Dean's iconic style, even if you're sans a designer budget at the moment:

Column Dresses

If you didn't love column dresses pre-Olivia Dean, you do now. One thing she's taught us is that a gorgeous column dress in the right shade is absolutely stunning. Best for rectangular (balanced shoulder, waist and hips), athletic or petite frames, a column dress can add shape and height. Choosing one that complements your skin tone, like Dean in butter yellow Thom Browne, takes it over the top.

Shop: Reformation, Belden Dress, $298

Shop: AFRM Cody Dress, $88

Flirty Minis

Pulling off a mini with the right levels of flirtiness and elegance is not easy. This custom Versace piece Dean wore for her performance at Saturday Night Live nails it. (Frankly, Dean nails it every single time.)

The key is choosing one that flatters your frame, and makes you feel comfortable. Bonus points if it has sequins or fringe. Here are a few you might try:

Shop: Showpo Shook Mini Dress, $120

Shop: Free People Lucette Mini Dress, $128

Shop: Free People Can’t Help It Mini Dress, $148

Full Skirts

Full skirts, fuller hearts. (Olivia Dean knows the girl math.) She embodied the glam queen motto in Richard Quinn for the Aria Awards in Sydney last fall. Our only regret is that there are not enough occasions to wear a full skirt in modern America. Adding it to the country's vision board for 2026.

Shop: ASOS Dream Sister Jane Almost Bloom Jacquard Puff Sleeve Tiered Ruffle Hem Midi Dress, $364

Shop: A&F Bra-Free Dylan Midi Dress, $120

Shop: Helsa Stretch Cotton Sateen Midi Dress, $298

Shop: Doen Ischia Dress, $348

Wild Side

No wardrobe is complete without physical manifestations of your wild side. The uninhibited crazy of our inner child is something we should never extinguish. On the contrary, coaxing it out by wearing something playful is the quickest way to keep her alive. And we all know how important play is to happiness. The assignment? Wear something wild this week, and act accordingly. Your hormones will thank you.

Shop: ASOS Sister Jane Scoop Neck Jacquard Midi Dress, $66

Shop: Reformation Rinna Dress, $248

Shop: RESA Lyon Maxi Dress, $189

Heels

Olivia Dean is in her Jimmy Choo era. When asked which fashion piece gives her the most confidence, she said, "I never thought I would say this, but honestly, heels! Only a couple years ago, I started wearing heels on stage, and now I can't not be in heels if I'm performing. There's just something that it does to your posture and the way you carry yourself and the way you move, and it just makes me feel elegant and womanly and in charge. My favourite pair are my silver Jimmy Choos that I have. They're so bashed up now that they have seen the world. I have paired them with all sorts of outfits, and they've done me well. I have a love for heels now that I had never had before." Say less.

Shop: DSW Dune London Brightest Pump, $100

Shop: ASOS Simmi London Hollie Slingback Heeled Pumps, $61

Shop: Vince Camuto Haylez Pump, $139

Shop: ASOS Glamorous Mesh Heeled Pumps, $52

Genuine Class

Genuine class is spelled C-H-A-N-E-L, and Dean passed her A-levels with flying colors. Dean made every girl's prima ballerina dreams come true when she wore a strapless Chanel gown with a sheer tulle skirt, and carried an adorable matching tiny tote to the label's fall 2024 show. Elegant swept-up hair had her looking like British royalty. What's more feminine than that? Replicating this for the next black-tie event.

Shop: Club L London Monte Carlo Striped Square-Neck Drop-Waist Midi Dress, $250

Shop: ASTR The Label Karyme Dress, $64

Shop: ASOS Ever New Floral Applique Gown, $252

Shop: LPA Estella Midi Dress, $237

Off-Duty

Every diva has a day off, and when it's her turn, Dean takes advantage. Like a true queen, though, she never uses it as an excuse to look like a slouch. A cozy bomber with baggy, low-rise jeans maintains star quality while keeping it comfy. Consider us duly motivated to uplevel our off-duty wear.

Shop: A&F Low Rise Ultra Loose Jean, $90

Shop: Lioness Essential Bomber Jacket, $119

The Woman We Need

Olivia Dean's musical vibe may be retro, but that doesn't mean her fashion is. She keeps it modern while maintaining a glamorous femininity that's both relatable and aspirational. Dean is the kind of style icon you genuinely look up to, and who inspires you to be more thoughtful in your personal sartorial choices. In the current fashion climate, Olivia Dean is indeed the woman we need.