7 flattering summer dresses, as rated by fashion editors
Get a headstart on your style (then just pray to the weather gods)
Breezy, easy to wear – and with just enough waft for good weather days… nothing beats the feeling that comes when you find a forever dress or seven.
A one-and-done outfit to throw on for the beach, for bar, for WFH or weddings – and every occasion in between. Pack them for staycays or vacays, VIP days or Mondays, with nude or black strappies or sneakers, hoops and red lippie. No matter your sartorial flavour, consider this your headstart on summer 2023.
The crazily comfortable one
With a universally flattering V-neck, tea-dress-inspired silhouette (but with an edge) and a clever knot detail to suit all busts, this Mango must-have is a triumph, worn with strappies, stacked sandals or sliders.
The stop-and-stare one
For true standout style, Sabina Musayev’s Alpha dress promises a plunging but wearable neckline and an elasticated waistband for comfort, but, most importantly, has enough shimmer and twirl to make a suitably fah-bulous entrance. Ideal for black tie dressing, imprinting first impressions and/or making exes weep.
The dopamine one
Made from 100% breathable linen, with a high neckline frame, this dress positively squeals summer. Deploy for city breaks, garden parties, barbecues, weddings, birthdays, holidays and those days when you need a lift.
The hot one
Cut in Jigsaw’s bestselling, most flattering silhouette (thank you, V-neck, skimming skirt and angled waist seams), this highlighter-bright maxi dress has elasticated cuffs, so you can push up the sleeves at your leisure. For party peacocks, this eyeball-grabbing dress is too good to save for best.
The nonchalant one
Humble but haute, this genius geo dress is part showstopper, part perfectly practical – a must for easy-breezy summer dressing. Crafted from pure cotton, and with enough waft for the hottest of days, consider this your summer staple for life.
The bubblegum one
On the one hand, this bubblegum pink sequin number is so hot for 2023 (thank you, Barbiecore), but throw in the fact that sequins are now very much A Thing for summertime too, and you just know you’re on to a good thing for years to come.
The fruity-but-fancy one
In a midi length, smattered with glittery lemons and puff sleeves, this Lirika Matoshi beauty comes with compliments as standard. Add wedges, a straw bag, a raffia clutch or killer heels and this frothy, fruity number comes into its own. The perfect, every occasion all-rounder, why not rent it for bonus smug points?
