Ganni Dresses Review: An Honest Look at the Cult-Favorite Styles
Hey there, fashion lover! If you‘re obsessed with Scandinavian style, I bet you‘ve heard of Ganni. This cool-girl Danish brand has become a mainstay among influencers, celebrities, and It-girls worldwide, especially for their trendy, printed dresses.
As a fashion writer and Ganni fan myself, I‘ve tried on just about every Ganni dress over the years. So I‘m here to give you my totally honest, detailed review of Ganni dresses. I‘ll dish on the fit, quality, design, and overall value to help you decide which styles are worth splurging on (and which aren‘t).
Sound good? Let‘s dive into my Ganni dresses review!
Why Ganni Dresses Are Everywhere
If you follow fashion at all, you‘ve definitely seen Ganni‘s iconic dresses all over Instagram. The brand has seriously nailed effortless, cool-girl style with modern dresses you can throw on and feel amazing in.
Ganni first launched in 2000 but really blew up in the late 2010s after husband-and-wife duo Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup took over as Creative Director and CEO. They tapped into a market for fun, playful dresses that were elevated but still wearable—a vibe that resonated with fashionistas and made the brand a standout on social media.
Ganni quickly gained a cult following among influences and celebs alike for their unique prints, on-trend silhouettes, and attainable price point (most dresses are in the $200-$500 range). Kendall Jenner, Beyoncé, Dakota Johnson, and fashion It-girls Pernille Teisbaek and Emili Sindlev have all worn Ganni.
So just how big has Ganni gotten? In 2020, the brand was valued at $700 million and are expected to reach $400 million in revenue by 2023, Vogue Business reports. Ganni has skyrocketed from a niche Danish label to a global fashion force over the past few years.
An Honest Review of Ganni‘s Best-Selling Dresses
To see what the Ganni hype is all about, I‘ve tested out some of the brand‘s most popular dress styles IRL. Let‘s get into the nitty-gritty—here‘s my brutally honest opinion on the fit, material, quality, and wearability of each Ganni dress.
Ganni Crispy Jacquard Dress
The Crispy Jacquard is one of those Ganni dresses you see all over Instagram. It has a tiered skirt, ruffle hem, and puff sleeves in a seersucker fabric that holds its shape. It comes in over 10 variations, from classic black to pastel florals and vibrant leopard print.
I own this dress in black and it‘s become a summer staple that makes me feel put-together but still comfy. The cotton-poly jacquard is thick and substantial, with a subtle crinkly texture that camouflages any lumps or bumps. And the fitted bodice and swingy tiers create an easy, throw-on-and-go look.
My favorite way to wear the Crispy Jacquard is with sneakers and a denim jacket for errands, but it can easily be dressed up with strappy sandals and gold jewelry for a summer event. The only downside is that it wrinkles pretty easily (nothing a quick steam can‘t fix though). I also wish it had pockets!
For sizing, I found the Crispy Jacquard runs quite roomy. I usually wear a US 4/small and took a 34/XS which fit perfectly with a bit of room. If you‘re between sizes, definitely go down.
The quality feels really nice, especially for the $255 price point. All the ruffles and tiers are double-stitched and lay nicely. After 2 years of frequent wear, my Crispy Jacquard still looks new. Well worth the price IMO!
Ganni Heavy Satin Dress
When Beyoncé wore the Heavy Satin slip dress, it blew up online. Searches for this slinky cowl-neck midi went up 300% on Lyst, according to Fashionista. The dress comes in luxe, weighty satin that drapes beautifully in jewel-tone hues like emerald green and fuchsia pink.
I was lucky enough to snag the Heavy Satin dress in black before it sold out. When it arrived, I was impressed with how expensive the satin felt—it‘s silky with a lovely sheen, and fully lined. It definitely looks like a designer piece.
Fit-wise, the Heavy Satin is a slip style that‘s meant to skim your curves. As someone with hips, I was nervous it would be too clingy, but the bias cut is actually super figure-flattering. It nips in at the waist and falls in a sleek, body-skimming line to mid-calf. The side slit shows a flash of leg but doesn‘t ride up too high.
I‘ve worn my Heavy Satin dress to both casual and formal events and it works for everything. For day, I pair it with an oversized blazer, combat boots, and a crossbody bag. At night, strappy heels and big earrings make it feel glam. The simple shape means you can really play with how you style it.
One thing to note: The Heavy Satin has very minimal stretch and runs narrow. If you‘re curvier on bottom, you may want to size up. It‘s also cut on the longer side. I‘m 5‘7" and it hit right at mid-calf. Petites, you may need to get it hemmed.
At $425, the Heavy Satin is one of Ganni‘s pricier dresses, but I think it‘s 100% worth it for the quality and versatility. It‘s a forever piece you‘ll reach for over and over. Just look at how many celebs have worn it on repeat!
Ganni Printed Mesh Dress
Ganni is the queen of fun, eye-catching prints and their Printed Mesh line is a brand signature. These swingy midi dresses come in a breezy floral-print mesh with feminine details like ruffles, lace trim, or bows. You‘ve likely seen an Instagram cool-girl wearing one on vacation.
I have the Printed Mesh dress in a pink and red floral and it instantly makes me happy when I put it on. The stretchy mesh fabric is insanely lightweight and comfy, perfect for hot summer days. And it packs down to nothing in a suitcase.
Since the mesh is totally sheer, this dress definitely requires a slip underneath (I ordered one on Amazon for $20). The billowy shape isn‘t as figure-hugging as other Ganni styles, so it‘s great if you prefer a looser fit. It has an elastic smocked bodice, tiered skirt, and romantic puff sleeves. I went with my usual size small and it fit true to size.
Something to keep in mind: The mesh doesn‘t feel quite as elevated as Ganni‘s other fabrics, especially for the $215 price. After a few wears, it‘s gotten a bit linty and worn-looking. But the print is so cute, I‘m willing to overlook it!
I‘ve styled my Printed Mesh dress with both sandals and sneakers and it looks adorable either way. It‘s my go-to for brunch dates, baby showers, or anytime I want to look like I tried (without really trying). Just add gold hoops and you‘re set.
So there you have it—my honest thoughts on Ganni‘s three most popular dress styles! In the chart below, I‘ve broken down more details on fit, material, and price:
| Dress Style | Material | Fit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crispy Jacquard | Cotton-poly blend jacquard | Runs large, size down | $255 |
| Heavy Satin | Silk-blend satin | Runs small, size up if curvy | $425 |
| Printed Mesh | Polyester mesh | True to size | $215 |
How Ganni Is Becoming More Sustainable
As someone who cares about sustainable fashion, I have to give Ganni props for their transparency and eco-conscious initiatives.
The brand uses certified 100% organic cotton, recycled polyester, and lower-impact materials like Lenzing Ecovero wherever possible. For the Spring/Summer ‘22 collection, 92% of Ganni‘s clothes were made with responsible fabrics, Fashion United reports. Ganni has committed to using only recycled, organic, or certified materials by 2023.
Ganni also launched a take-back program called "Ganni Repeat" in the US and Denmark where customers can rent or buy pre-loved pieces. I love that they‘re making it easy to shop secondhand and extend the life of their garments.
And in 2020, Ganni partnered with Levi‘s to launch a rental-only capsule of upcycled denim – further proof that they‘re thinking about circularity in an innovative way.
These sustainability efforts are a big part of why I feel good spending money on Ganni pieces. No brand is 100% sustainable, but they‘re making real, measurable changes. As a consumer, that‘s important to me.
Ganni vs. Other Contemporary Brands
Aesthetically, I‘d say Ganni is similar to other playful, Instagram-popular contemporary brands like Staud, Reformation, and Ulla Johnson. They all have that fun, feminine, cool-girl vibe. Here‘s how I think Ganni stacks up:
Compared to Staud, I find Ganni‘s designs a bit more elevated and mature. Staud‘s clothes have a youthful, almost childlike quality (think gingham prints and bow details), while Ganni‘s feel more refined. Quality-wise, they‘re about on par.
Reformation is known for their ditsy floral prints and breezy dresses, similar to Ganni‘s mesh styles. But I find Ref‘s fabrics to be thinner and more delicate. If you want a dress that will hold up season after season, Ganni is the better bet IMO. Plus, Ref doesn‘t have as large a size range (they only go up to XL).
And while Ulla Johnson has a similarly feminine, bohemian aesthetic, her pieces are at a higher contemporary price point (most dresses are over $500). I actually find Ganni‘s quality to be just as nice at a slightly lower cost.
Tips for Styling Ganni Dresses
One thing I love about Ganni dresses is how versatile they are. You can really make them your own with how you style them! Here are a few of my fave ways to wear Ganni for different occasions and body types:
For a casual weekend look:
- Pair a printed mesh or crispy jacquard dress with white sneakers and a denim jacket
- Tip for curvy figures: Define your waist with the jacket tied around your middle
For the office:
- Style the heavy satin dress with a blazer, pointed-toe pumps, and a sleek low bun
- Tip for petites: Slip-on a pair of heels to elongate your legs since midi lengths can overwhelm a small frame
For a summer wedding:
- Wear the crispy jacquard with strappy heeled sandals, sparkly jewelry, and a pretty updo
- Tip for tall figures: Play up your height with a maxi-length dress
For date night:
- Pair the heavy satin slip with an oversized leather jacket, ankle boots, and a red lip
- Tip for athletic body types: Go for Ganni‘s wrap dresses or styles with ruching to create curves
Is Ganni Worth the Hype?
Now for the million-dollar question: Are Ganni dresses worth the cost? The short answer is yes – if you‘re looking for unique, well-made pieces that make a statement.
Here‘s the thing. Ganni isn‘t cheap. Most of their dresses range from $200-$500, which is definitely an investment for many people (myself included).
But having owned several Ganni pieces over the years, I can confidently say the quality is excellent. The fabrics are substantial, the designs are thoughtful, and the attention to detail is there. These aren‘t flimsy fast-fashion pieces – they‘re made to last. And Ganni‘s designs manage to be trendy but not overly so, so you can wear them for multiple seasons.
I also appreciate that Ganni caters to a range of body types with their relaxed silhouettes and flexible smocked fits. As someone with curves, I never feel like I‘m trying to squeeze into their dresses. They‘re meant to be comfortable and moveable, which I love.
My advice? If you‘ve been eyeing a Ganni dress, read reviews, and check the size chart before you buy. Their styles can run big or small, so you want to get your fit right. And Ganni rarely goes on sale, so consider investing in one of their signature printed mesh or jacquard styles that have longevity.
But if you do splurge, just know that you‘re getting a special, high-quality piece you‘ll have in your closet for years. And every time you slip it on, you‘ll feel that effortlessly cool Ganni magic. What‘s better than that?
