Ditch the loungewear, this weather calls for more summer-appropriate dressing.
With the hottest month on record and lockdown easing, a new normal is forming where we can start to fill our social calendars with distanced outdoor gatherings - and the sartorial panic has already set in.
After months and months of the tracksuit, pjs and occasional piece of gym wear rotation, our fashion-related rut is over and dresses are where it’s at. While still maintaining the comfort levels, these one-piece wonders are the effortlessly stylish additions our wardrobes are in dire need of to boost your mood and have you covered no matter your two-metre or Zoom meet-ups.
From a new take on gingham to floaty floral frocks, we have hit the online shopping offering to search out dainty, polished and flouncy pieces that deserve far more recognition than house dressing. These are dresses you will keep going back to year after year to form the basis of your warm weather wardrobe and take the guesswork out of getting ready as soon as the sun is shining.
Orangerie Dress
US import Reformation should be one of your first port of calls when it comes to stylish summer dresses. The sustainable label offers an extensive range of covetable floaty frocks that are ultra-feminine and have a contemporary boho feel. The Orangerie has a smocked bodice with a flattering square neckline, puffed sleeves and a mini length. It is available in three summer-ready patterns, including this floral blue number as well as polka dots and a tulip design.
Voluminous Open Back Midi Dress
Easy and effortless, this frock from & Other Stories is a hard-working staple that you will rely on year after year. It is constructed from a breezy and deliciously boho linen-like fabrication that is lightweight so can be worn throughout the summer, even for more formal occasions.
Poplin Belted Dress
Returning to the formality of office life may feel like a lifetime away but when it does return, you will need work-appropriate summer dresses like this pinstripe option from Arket. It is light enough to withstand the sauna of commuting yet smart enough for the boardroom. It’s a win, win.
Leona Dress in Fresh Green - Ghost
In the colour of the season, slip into this feminine mint green number to answer your seasonal wardrobe woes. The dress is adorned with a front button detail and bust seam design. The brand is also offering a summer sale with up to 50 per cent off.
Ruched sleeve floral dress
Up the glamour of your al fresco dining this summer with this floaty floral frock from Mango. For summer garden parties or casual BBQs, this will bring an instant and effortless elegance no matter the dress code. The flowy number has also been crafted using sustainable practises so you can feel as good as you look.
Rotate Birger Christensen Mira floral-print crepe wrap midi dress
When loungewear and pyjamas get too repetitive, throwing on this floral wrap dress from Rotate will instantly elevate your mood. Look good, feel good with this vibrant piece with blouson sleeves and a lightweight fabrication.
UO Kay Floral Slip Midi Dress
Get date night ready - whether it is virtual or otherwise - with this silky number from Urban Outfitters. With a retro twist on a 90s-favourite, the slip, it has a v-neckline with a ruched detailing and tie-detail at the back.
Cassandra Floral Print Midi Dress
Transform outdoor gatherings into glamour parties with the right dress like this Kitri number that is giving us all the summer feels. Nothing screams warm weather ready more than the daisy print and vibrant blue backdrop.
Sleeper Marquise Gingham Corset Midi Dress
No matter what your summer social calendar has in store for you, this playful pink gingham dress from Sleeper will become your go-to. Simply adorn trainers, a bucket bag and chic 90s retro sunnies for a day time spend on social distanced meetups or with wedges for a statement-making look once lockdown is over.
Palm Dress in Blue - Ghost
No matter what your summer plans entail, this slip dress has got you covered. It has a thick strap design, silky satin fabrication and effortless silhouette that can be easily styled for day to night.
Sleeveless Organic Cotton Dress
For a look that is anything but basic. This dress from Cos is offered in a mint green hue that has become one of the subtle heroes of our summer wardrobe. Giving instant warm weather appeal, it has a sleeveless construction, a relatively lightweight cotton fabrication and a striped design to flatter in all the right places.
Lime Green Gingham Mini Dress
Gingham is the universal pattern of summer and deserves its place in your warm weather wardrobe. Topshop is taking the traditional design and putting a very fashionable twist with one of the colours of the season. The lime green piece offers a statement item you’ll want in your frock arsenal. The high street hero is offering a summer sale with 30 per cent off.
Off-shoulder poplin dress
Ibiza may not be on the cards this summer but you can still dress the part with bold, statement-making dresses like this Mango number. In a vibrant red hue, it has a mini length and stylish puff sleeves with endless styling possibilities.
Zadie Brown White Leopard
You need to fill your wardrobe with elegant numbers like this leopard print dress from Rixo. Oozing with sophistication with minimal to no effort required, this is the kind of piece you can wear from work (when office life resumes) to the weekend with ease. The silhouette is offered in a range of other prints with floral and check variations.
UO Bluebelle Mini Dress
To coincide with the warmer weather, dare to flash your pins with this knee-grazing mini dress. It features a delicate floral print and a feminine sweetheart neckline.
Daisy Floral Print Puff Mini Dress
Whether your summer consists of walking or household disco-ing, this ditsy daisy floral frock is the versatile number you could wear for either. It sits at a mini length but offers drama through the voluminous puff sleeves.
Ganni Floral-print crepe wrap dress
No wardrobe is complete without a couple of wrap dresses that can be whipped out for all occasions. Case in point, this sophisticated option from Ganni. The Scandi-label has adorned the staple silhouette with a delicate leaf design.
Also available at Harrods and MatchesFashion
Motel Cypress Midi Dress
In a lovely lilac hue, this dainty dress makes it all too tempting to add straight to basket. It has a subtle floral print and cut out detail. It sits as a midi length.
Floral Halter Midi Dress
Florals for spring may not be groundbreaking but they still have endless appeal as shown here by this halterneck iteration. The midi dress has a fitted bodice to flatter your figure and an A-line skirt silhouette.
V-neck taffeta dress
Pair this frock with sunnies and sandals (where the more dad-inspired the better) for a summer look to suit all occasions. The mini dress ups the volume and the ante with a taffeta construction, puff sleeves and a flared skirt. It is available in three summer-ready hues.
Canopy Dress
Whether you have an occasion in mind to wear this piece for or you have just fallen head over heels like us, we think you should treat yourself. It has a flattering fitted bodice and an a-line skirt with drama offered in the form of a seductive side slit.
Marilyn Polka Dot
It may have been a Zara iteration of a white polka dot dress that took the high street by storm last year, but Rixo is putting its signature aesthetic on a similar pattern to create an even more covetable piece. With a halter neck and backless silhouette, the brand transforms the timeless print into a Marilyn moment-worthy seductive frock.
Balloon-sleeved cotton dress
Summer dressing made easy, you literally just have to pop this frock on and you’re ready. It has a floaty, lightweight feel and a relaxed fit that shows you don’t have to exclusively wear loungewear to feel comfortable this season.
Ganni Smocked checked cotton-blend seersucker maxi dress
Gingham at its very best, Ganni transforms the traditional summer print into a very high-fashion staple with a seersucker construction, smocked bodice and playful ruffle trims. The flattering silhouette will offer comfort and style in equal measures.
Also available at Ganni and Farfetch
Crinkled dress
Nail the art of picnic dressing with this floaty frock available in two summer-ready prints at H&M. For your al fresco banquets that will form the basis of your plans during the lockdown period, this is one of those dresses you need on hand to just throw on at a moment’s notice for effortless style and comfort.
Lorelle Mint Daisy Jacquard Midi Dress
Taking you from your social distanced summer plans to winter and beyond, this jacquard midi from Kitri has got you covered. In a warm weather-ready turquoise hue, it can be worn as is with subtle accessories to ooze sophistication or paired with tights when the cold hits.
