Stay cool with 2025’s best summer dresses

The calendar is filling up, holidays are on the horizon and temperatures are rising; it’s officially summer dress season. The true joy of new-season frocks is how easy they make getting dressed – there’s no need to outfit plan, simply slip one on and accessorise. Whatever your style of choice, here are the best summer dresses to see you through to autumn.

Ahh, that summer-specific feeling of a floor-length dress swishing around your ankles, adding an instant hit of easy, breezy glamour. Versatile maxis can be worn everywhere – whether to a beach bar or a wedding. This season, find wrap styles, stripes, on-trend gingham, and, of course, forever stylish black maxis. 

In search of something to uplift your summer wardrobe? Prints add vibrancy and personality, plus you don’t need to add much else to feel fully dressed. The sartorial equivalent of sunshine, florals are a classic way to set the tone for a bright summer’s day. 

The midi has been the length for several seasons for good reason – it’s long enough to look elegant but not so long so as to create a footwear dilemma. Strong contenders at this length are loose, floaty numbers that can be paired beautifully with strappy flats or dressy heels.

Celebrate the height of summer with a higher hemline. Our tip? Think less about the length and more about the cut: try floaty or A-line styles, or opt for long sleeves or a high neck. Mighty minis will pair well with trainers for running about town or pretty sandals for more formal invites. 

Think the smock is not for you? Think again. This is a standout summer silhouette thanks to the hugely comfortable and freeing boho style. Again, prints such as gingham are big news in this style, as are embroidered details. Or you may prefer to keep it classic with more minimalist shapes in cooling linen.

When it really heats up, it’s good to have something strappy to reach for. The slip dress, made covetable by Kate Moss back in the ’90s, is a timeless win for more formal invites, while sundresses – ideally in breathable linen – with spaghetti straps are great for everyday.