Beautiful summer dresses to buy now
Long, sunny days are (almost) here – it's time you invested in a wardrobe to match
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It may still be spring but the UK is already experiencing its first glimmers of sunshine and, with the promise of a season spent holidaying, entertaining and living la dolce vita around the corner, it’s high time our wardrobes reflected this optimistic mood. It seems designers are feeling positive too, with the SS26 collections bursting with mood-boosting, joyful colour palettes and cheery prints that are lightyears away from the leggings and loungewear that have been mainstays of the past few years. From floaty maxi dresses perfect for summer picnics to chic tailored numbers ideal for weddings and work days, here are the best summer dresses to buy now.
The best mini dresses for summer
If the term ‘mini dress’ brings to mind the kind of thigh-skimming skirt you haven’t considered wearing since your teens, it’s time to reframe your thinking. The new mini rises just a few inches above the knee and is best worn loose and floaty, ideally with a pleat or two for good measure. Posse’s striped design and Charo Ruiz’s broderie anglaise cotton styles are the perfect match for sandals and a jacket while Reiss and Alessandra Rich offer versatile styles that work for everything from a smart Sunday lunch to dressy evening cocktails.
The best midi dresses for summer
Once considered dowdy and unflattering, the midi dress – which typically hits at mid-calf – has been gaining momentum over the past decade to become one of the most stylish lengths around. If you’re heading to Ascot, the polo or a wedding this season, this should be your go-to. Khaite and Self-Portrait offer dresses which are smart, sophisticated and feminine, while Farm Rio and Cara Cara make a statement in florals and bold block colours.
The best maxi dresses for summer
Maxi dresses aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but, styled correctly, they needn’t be overwhelming or unwieldy to wear. The minimal silhouette on Faithfull's strapless linen dress, for example, works with both heels and trainers depending on the occasion, while boldly patterned designs from Sir and Borgo de Nor can be paired with sandals and a wide-brimmed hat for a summer stroll. The exception to the rule is Pink City Print's show-stopping Zizi dress. With a beautifully flowing tiered skirt, puff sleeves and hand-printed pattern in a rainbow of joy-inducing colours, it oozes summer fun and deserves to be worn at the most special of occasions.
The best floral dresses for summer
Florals for summer? We know. Groundbreaking. There is, however, no denying the appeal of a cascade of delicate petals as the weather warms. If short mini dresses are your thing, Farm Rio and Erdem's pretty flowers are easy-to-wear options for summer's balmy events. Emilia Wickstead and Agua by Agua Bendita, meanwhile, add more length with their midi and maxi silhouettes, both adorned with whimsical, feminine florals, perfect for wearing to seasonal weddings and smart occasions.
The best beach dresses for summer
Okay, we may be being optimistic here, but even if you’re hitting the beach in Margate rather than the Maldives, there’s no excuse not to look your best. The best beach dresses are light, floaty and can be slipped on over a bikini to take you straight to the bar. Between Missoni’s colourful knit, Second Summer's tonal woven kaftan, Isabel Marant's south of France-inspired mini and Melissa Odabash's bright and breezy maxi, you'll be sorted for catching some sun in style.
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