These Are The Very Best Summer Dresses Of The Year
There’s a lot of stuff out there, and not all fashion pieces are created equal. Luckily, the ELLE editors know their way around a shopping rail, and when it comes to helping you find those niche brands worth knowing to high-street hits of quality, and a few vintage treasures too, our ELLE Edits showcase the very best of the season.
There are few wardrobe staples as relied-upon as the summer dress. Whatever your outlook on style may be, it's almost certain you'll have at-least one hot-weather maxi or puff-sleeved mini that calls to you whenever the temperatures climb over 20 degrees.
A good summer dress is the easiest option for pretty much any occasion in the heat of the season, be it a casual weekend in the park, an al-fresco date or, of course, the umpteenth wedding of the year. Throw one on with a good pair of sunglasses, slip into your sandals (posh flip flops always work, if you're after a rec) and you're ready for just about anything – even a rush-hour trip on the Central Line.
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For summer 2024, options abound. Last year's SS24 runways set a host of summer dress trends in motion, from the twee milkmaid silhouette to the dominance of the pure white maxi. This month, the fashion crowd at Copenhagen Fashion Week has confirmed the summer dress to be the ruling piece of the season, with clever cut-outs, shirred silhouettes and some typically offbeat Scandi styling tricks (think: headscarves and cowboy boots) making the humble hero piece feel fresh in so many ways.
Here, see the ruling silhouettes of SS24 alongside the very best summer dresses of the season, from high-end investment pieces to the high-street styles that don't disappoint when it comes to fit, fabric and finish.
The Best Summer Dresses Of 2024
The Milkmaid
The popularity of the milkmaid dress has been bubbling for a while now, but SS24 is the season when the silhouette really hit the mainstream. Defined by a close-fitting, almost corset-like top and voluminous skirt – sometimes with equally puffy sleeves – it’s an oddly, unexpectedly sexy silhouette that feels hyper-feminine yet never too fussy or dressy.
ELLE UK's site fashion editor Clementina Jackson is a strong supporter of the silhouette, calling the fit-and-flare shape 'universally flattering and incredibly versatile.' Her top recommendation this year is Reformation's pure linen Balia dress. For best results, pair with flats and cat-eye sunglasses.
The Maxi
Easy, breezy maxi dresses are the simplest solution to hot-weather dressing, whether on holiday or in the city: simply slip into one of these satisfyingly voluminous cuts, add a pair of mesh flats, and you’re ready to go. This summer, nonchalant elegance is the aim, and Cos and H&M have created the chicest styles to invest in now.
The Cute(ish)
For dresses that’ll see you through all manner of weekend activities, from days in the park to pub nights and early-morning coffee runs, consider the unending popularity of the girlish-but-subverted dress. Sweet but never saccharine (thanks to the chunky jewellery and clashing accessories you’ll style them with), these statement pieces were popularised by the new guard of maximalist Scandi brands, and come loaded with trans-seasonal appeal: simply add an athletic sweatshirt and cowboy boots once the weather cools.
On the runways, Shushu/Tong and Molly Goddard set the seasonal tone every time, while kitschy cult dress brands Damson Madder, Staud and, of course, Ganni lead the way on the high street. When it comes to styling, more is more: a croissant bag and stomping boots make the perfect allies for weekend errands, while a pointed flat and major earrings will elevate things for evening.
The Drop Waist
For something with true no-brainer status, consider the return of the drop-waist dress. This time around, the vibe is minimalist and incredibly chic: these are pieces that come with serious versatility. Slip one on with little more than a slicked-back bun and leather thong sandals and you’re ready for the day: add chunky hoop earrings to take the look into evening. Nothing is easier yet more effective, so consider this one your new capsule wardrobe mainstay.
The Crisp White Cotton
On the SS24 runways, pure white dresses made a quiet statement, with everyone from Christopher Esber to Chloé, via Prada and Chopova Lowena, making a case for the absence of colour. Tailor the trend to your personal style, opting for bohemian details, crisp lines or flowing femininity.
On the high street, there’s one ‘it’ dress you’ve likely already seen: Marks & Spencer’s white milkmaid style is constantly restocked yet it’s still a task of Olympian proportions to actually get your hands on one. (Whistles has a great alternative, which is actually on sale right now.) At Massimo Dutti you’ll find plenty of pieces that whisper of quiet luxury, while H&M has delivered the ultimate too-hot-to-wear-anything maxi. Make sure it’s the first thing you pack in your suitcase.
The Wedding Winners
How to win the wedding-guest dress game now? Shop small. Forego the high street and you’re far less likely to turn up with an unexpected outfit twin – even better, go vintage and you’ll have bragging rights all night long.
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