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The strappy midis! The floral maxis! The sleeveless cover-ups! Revamping your wardrobe to incorporate the best summer dresses is one of the most exciting parts of warm-weather dressing—and there’s no better time to start clearing some hangers for wardrobe essentials and the most exciting summer fashion trends you’ll wear on repeat in the coming weeks and months.
Peak summer dressing is practically here, with plenty of cute and airy numbers to choose from for your summer vibe shift. Whether you want a slinky slip dress to wear to your stacked calendar of RSVPs, a lightweight shirtdress to make office dressing a breeze, a flowy sundress for traipsing around town, or a crochet coverup you can pack alongside your beach essentials, you’ll find the perfect one here. These are the best summer dresses to shop (and wear everywhere) right now.
The maxidress
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Maxidresses for summer are what lug sole boots are for fall: nonnegotiable and a no-brainer for getting through the season in style. Their versatility knows no bounds, either—no matter the neckline or sleeve length, odds are you can tie on a belt, throw on a leather or denim jacket, and style with flats, raffia wedges, or platform sandals. Don't sweat the length if it's a little too long; there's nothing quite like a floor-kissing hem to give you that main-character energy as you look both ways while crossing the street.
Pinkfilosofy Kyoko Dress
Athleta Elation V-Neck Hybrid Dress
Free People Taking Sides Maxi
Boden Cutout Detail Maxidress
Anthropologie Malika Dress
Eloquii Eyelet Tie-Front Maxidress
Reformation Frankie Silk Dress
Knox Rose Women's Sleeveless A-Line Dress
The sundress
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 17: A guest wearing Joslin red maxi dress at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 17, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)Hanna Lassen/Getty Images
When you have no idea what else to wear, a trusty sundress will always be there for you. The summertime staple comes in many different forms, but they’re all breezy, lightweight, and cute enough to make you look like you actually thought about your outfit ahead of time. Whether you pair your pick with walking sandals, kitten heels, or summer sneakers, you’ll be ready for even the sunniest, sweatiest days of the season.
Pilcro Ruffle V-Neck Shift Dress
LoveShackFancy Chessie Dress
Rails Lucille Tie-Dye Sundress
Anrabess One-Shoulder Maxidress
Free People Finer Things Midi
Farm Rio Palm Tree Richilier Sundress
Caslon Smocked Tie Strap Cotton Gauze Midi Sundress
KUT from the Kloth Zaniah Tiered Sundress
Prettygarden Casual Summer Midi Dress
Kate Spade Twill Grace Dress
The floral-print dress
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Whether you like your blooms bold and graphic or prefer a ditsy flower motif, a floral-print dress is a summer MVP. It's one of the few printed styles you can wear on repeat without aching for newness after a handful of wears—helpful too when you're trying to be more thoughtful about the pieces you shop.
& Other Stories Puff-Sleeve Linen Midi Dress
Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress
Dokotoo Square-Neck Boho Dress
Endless Rose Floral Chiffon Flounce Minidress
A New Day Women’s Puff Short Sleeve Cutout Bubble A-Line Dress
Cupshe Women’s V-Neck Floral Cutout Minidress
The shirtdress
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
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Shirtdresses may already be a summer mainstay; if not, they should be, especially with so many variations available. A loose cotton-poplin or linen style gives coastal-grandma chic, while a ruched or smocked T-shirt dress feels more appropriate for urban adventures. The result is effortless either way.
J.Crew Relaxed-Fit Short-Sleeve Baird Mcnu*tt Irish Linen Shirtdress
Boden Tiered Cotton Maxi Shirtdress
Anthropologie Eyelet Shirtdress
Old Navy Short-Sleeve Shirtdress for Women
The midi dress
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Love a midi dress? Same. There's little you can do wrong with this piece styling-wise: Pair a stretchy-knit number with comfy walking sandals or a silk slip dress with cowboy boots. Seasonal standouts include Silk Laundry's celeb-loved ’90s style, which will be a hero piece for after-work events, and & Other Stories' oversized shirtdress, which you can let billow as is or give definition with a belt.
Square Neck Ruffle Dress
Free People C'est Bon Midi
Farm Rio Mixed Neon Midi Dress
Staud Wells Dress
The summer wedding guest dress
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Whether you're attending a single ceremony or multiple this season, the best summer wedding guest dresses are those you can rewear and restyle for multiple occasions. A few we're loving right now: Reformation's jewel-toned silk halter-neck dress, Mango's figure-hugging maxi with rosette detailing on the shoulder, and Significant Other's mock-neck style, which you can slip into for dinner rehearsals or wear during daytime celebrations.
Bl-nk Painterly Off-Shoulder Slip Dress
English Factory Floral Back Tiered Midi Dress
Reformation Juliette Dress
Significant Other Cali Midi Dress
The beach dress
Hanna Lassen/Getty Images
A casual beach dress can take you from the pool to dinner with absolutely zero effort—perfect for when you’re slightly buzzed and living out of a suitcase on vacation. Prioritize stretchy materials, quick-drying fabrics, and no-closure silhouettes; the vibe is as relaxed as possible. Hop on summer fashion trends with sheer options from H&M and Johnny Was or elevate your beachside style with slightly dressier picks from Staud and Madewell,
H&M Crochet-Look Dress
Staud Mini Seashore Dress
Madewell Modular Halter Midi Dress
Johnny Was Adele Drape Tunic Dress
The minidress
Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images
Mini season got an early start this year, with everyone gravitating to itty-bitty hemlines regardless of what the forecast says. There's no more agreeable time to wear a mini than in summer, though, with some of the best dresses available then (less fabric is also a requisite for sticky days). Below are a few comfy throw-on-and-go styles to add to your summer wardrobe—the only thing missing from your periphery now is sandy shores, a giant coconut, and a fishnet tote with a good book peeking out.
Johnny Was Nani Polo Tank Tennis Dress
Skims Cotton Rib Tank Dress
Free People Struttin’ Minidress
Zara Strapless Minidress
Devotion Twins Embroidered Ella Tunic Dress
ASOS Eyelet Minidress
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am a fashion enthusiast with a deep understanding of the latest trends and styles in the fashion industry. I keep up with fashion news, runway shows, and the latest collections from various designers. I can analyze and interpret the nuances of different styles, fabrics, and cuts, and understand how they fit into the broader context of fashion history and contemporary trends. Additionally, I have experience in personal styling and trend forecasting, which allows me to provide valuable insights into the world of fashion and style.
Summer Dresses: A Comprehensive Fashion Guide
Introduction
The article provides an overview of the best summer dresses for the upcoming season, highlighting various styles, including the maxidress, sundress, floral-print dress, shirtdress, midi dress, summer wedding guest dress, beach dress, and minidress. It emphasizes the versatility and appeal of these dresses, suitable for different occasions and personal styles.
Maxidress
The maxidress is described as a summer essential, offering versatility in terms of styling and suitable for various occasions. The article lists several options from different brands, such as Pinkfilosofy, Athleta, Free People, Boden, Anthropologie, Eloquii, Reformation, and Knox Rose.
Sundress
A trusty sundress is highlighted as a go-to option for effortless, breezy, and lightweight summer dressing. The article presents a range of sundress options from brands including Pilcro, LoveShackFancy, Rails, Anrabess, Free People, Farm Rio, Caslon, KUT from the Kloth, Prettygarden, and Kate Spade.
Floral-Print Dress
The floral-print dress is described as a summer MVP, offering a timeless and versatile style suitable for repeated wear. Brands such as & Other Stories, Hill House Home, Dokotoo, Endless Rose, and A New Day are featured in the article's recommendations.
Shirtdress
Shirtdresses are presented as a summer mainstay, available in various styles suitable for different settings. The article showcases options from J.Crew, Boden, Anthropologie, and Old Navy, highlighting the effortless and versatile nature of this style.
Midi Dress
The midi dress is celebrated for its styling versatility, offering a range of options for different preferences. The article recommends midi dresses from Amazon, Free People, Farm Rio, Staud, and emphasizes the ease of styling this piece.
Summer Wedding Guest Dress
The best summer wedding guest dresses are highlighted as versatile pieces suitable for multiple occasions. The article features dresses from Reformation, Mango, and Significant Other, emphasizing their rewearability and restyling potential.
Beach Dress
Casual beach dresses are described as effortless and versatile, transitioning seamlessly from the pool to dinner. The article recommends beach dresses from H&M, Staud, Madewell, and Johnny Was, emphasizing the importance of stretchy materials and relaxed silhouettes.
Minidress
Mini dresses are presented as a popular choice for summer, offering comfortable and stylish options for warm days. The article features minidresses from Johnny Was, Skims, Free People, Zara, Devotion Twins, and ASOS, highlighting their suitability for summer wear.
Overall, the article provides a comprehensive guide to the best summer dresses, catering to different styles, occasions, and preferences, and includes a wide range of options from various brands, allowing readers to find the perfect dress for their summer wardrobe.