22 stunning summer dresses to see you through the sunshine
If you’re anything like me, the first glimpse of sunshine is your signal to ditch jeans and wheel out your fave summer dresses. Rolling out of bed and chucking a trench coat (the UK is still nippy in the morns) over your fave frock is literally the ultimate cheat code for girlies who value every minute of beauty sleep.
Maybe you’re not quite convinced that sundress season has arrived–fairs. But with everything from weddings to graduations on the horizon, selecting a couple of gems that see you through sunny season and double as wedding guest dresses and suitcase essentials is literally shopping smarter, not harder.
If you want to stay on trend, gingham, polka dots and stripes are big for SS25 and Chloé, Zimmerman and Topshop confirm that boho is back and better than ever. When it comes to colour trends, butter yellow is your girl. Look to labels like Omnes, Nobody’s Child and Next for dresses in the creamy hue in various hemlines.
From floaty midis to pair with your best ballet flats, flirty resort wear picks that can also be styled with trainers and puffball minis with a deliciously ‘80s vibe, here’s 22 stunning summer dresses for you to dazzle in.
Denim Tie Front Eden Midi Dress
Make your next forever dress this denim beauty from Nobody’s Child. The sleeveless cut and round neck make it perf for summer strolls but come autumn, simply slip a collared shirt underneath and swap sandals for boots. Also, those bow details? So cute!
Yellow Gingham Seersucker Bandeau Midi Summer Dress
This gingham cutie is exactly what we’ll be wearing when that Hinge match finally asks us on a date. Plus, it has pockets, so your keys, phone and lipgloss have somewhere to live besides your handbag.
Everett Dress
Meeting the parents? Don’t stress. This classic, square-neck midi screams ‘wifey material’ but is just as easily dressed up with a heeled mule, chunky bangles and statement earrings for a balmy night out on the town.
Pleat-Detail Twill Dress
Sporty Spices, rejoice. After the rise of sporty chic on the SS25 runways, we’re predicting that ‘tennis-core’ will be big for summer. Style this with fresh white trainers and a cutesy sunvisor for a Wimbledon-approved ‘fit.
Eleanor Stripe-Print Puffball Cotton-Blend Mini Dress
Our curve editor Lauren Nicole loves this stripy, puffball number. Don’t believe us? Check out her Insta — she styles it with a bright green bomber and white cowboy boots. Obsessed.
Lexie Ruffle-Trim Woven Mini Dress
I’m a sucker for anything boho, so, naturally, I’m obsessed with this floaty mini from Reiss. I’m thinking: brown biker boots, a suede tote and film star sunnies for a day at the office and swapping in strappy gold heels, for after-work drinks.
DESIGN Sheer Asymmetric Strappy Neckline Layered Ruched Maxi
Dare to bare it all this summer in ASOS’ abstract maxi. If you’re jetting off on a party holiday (jel), this will look sooo good with strappy wedges and your fave slinky swimsuit underneath. Nope, that’s not a price glitch, this baby is on sale for a tenner, so snap it up before it’s gone.
Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
For a true timeless style (you know, that special piece you’re excited to bring out year on year), look to Abercrombie’s puff sleeve midi dress. This one feels particularly faaancy, but fret not, it can always be dressed down with flip-flops or ballet flats on more casual days.
Riviera Slip Midi Dress in Pink Marble
Florals not your thang? You can still experiment with printed dresses this summer. We love Omnes’ ‘60s inspired slip dress – the marbling effect paired with the open, lace-up back is trés chic.
Pointelle-Knit Beach Dress
'Beach dress' status aside, if you don’t have any exotic escapes planned, this pickle green gem would look so cool over wide-leg jeans and Birkenstocks on an overcast summer’s day in the city.
Ruched Asymmetric Polka Dot Mini Dress
It’s a polka dot girlie summer and we’re not mad about it. This puff-sleeved frock from Ghospell is a gorgeous ode to the trend. Style with black mules and a matching shoulder bag for elevated summer affairs.
Flared Sleeve Crochet Maxi Dress
You can never go wrong with crochet, once things heat up weather-wise. This Reclaimed Vintage midi dress is the perfect combination of pretty and practical – knitted fabrics are always a better choice for the UK’s temperamental summers, are we right?
Taking Sides Maxi
Holidaying in Ibiza? Heading to a festival? OOO for a staycation? Hit up Free People for a boho summer dress that works for evening dinners al fresco and frolicking in the fields barefoot. Sometimes simple really is the most effective.
Poets Stripe Katie Dress
We stan a brand that celebrates community, sustainability and craftmanship and Pink City Prints do exactly that. Our Digital Fashion Writer Alex Dale loves this pretty frock, it’s perfect for beach days, BBQs and beyond.
Balia Linen Dress
Want to treat yourself to a summer dress that will make you the belle of every beach you attend? This chilli red frock from Reformation will look gorg with a red lip and matching red ballet flats for al fresco dinners by the coast.
Strappy ruffled midi dress
And while we’re all for white dresses, don’t forget the power of a great LBD in the summer season. The asymmetric hem and ruffle details on this strappy number make it fancy enough for special occasions, too. Think: wedding szn and date night.
Daylight Mini
Summer is a great excuse to invest in a gorge new mini dress. We love the broderie anglaise, mini silhouette and V-neckline on this lil’ number. With a giant sunhat and raffia slides, you’re ready for summer in the city or a breezy beach break.
Sadie dress
This floaty smock mini dress is so pretty! We can totally see it working with suede clogs for picnic dates, hot weather city breaks and lounging in the garden in the afternoon sun.
Drawstring-detail maxi dress
Nothing says summer quite like bold botanical prints. We love H&M’s sundress with its plunging neckline, spaghetti straps and comfy drawstring details.
Bubble-hem dress
Thanks to the ‘80s fashion revival, bubble hems are officially back on the menu for 2025. We love this summery iteration from H&M – the fitted top is a subtly pleated while the skirt is airy and voluminous. Too cute.
Jemma cotton jersey cut-out beach dress
Got your holidays booked? Love that for you! But your beach trips just won’t be the same without this Hush cut-out maxi. Throw it over a strapless bikini or style it in the evening with statement earrings.
Gathered Sleeveless Midi Dress
An LPD (that’s a long purple dress to you) really comes into its own in the summer months. The swishy empire cut is casual enough for low-key motives but the regal colour makes it a sneaky wedding guest or special occasion option.
Striped A-line midi dress
Pinstripes aren’t just reserved for work shirts, ppl. Cut from airy organic cotton, this blue and white striped summer dress is defined by its V-neckline and structured, flared skirt.
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