16 Dresses for Your Everyday Summer Wardrobe

There’s nothing that says summer wardrobe quite like one filled with dresses you can pluck out at any given moment. Styles that work for daytime and evening (with a little zhushing up), that you could wear to the office (though if you work somewhere super corporate, some of the below might not be for you), as well as to lunch or on a hot day as you bop around town.

But the thing with summer dresses is that we can get a bit… carried away. If you haven’t already, I recommend you read ’s piece on dresses she doesn’t hate. I almost spat my tea out when she mentioned the dresses that had her likened to Andy Pandy — but soon nodded in agreement. I’m sure we’ve all been caught in a cutesy, frilly, florally dress or two once summer rolls around (retailers still love them).

So below, I’ve got a list of 16 dresses that are definitely not that. These are dresses you’ll actually want to wear, and feel good in as you pull them on in the morning.

Plus, they’re all very versatile. Want to dress them down? Wear them as is or pop a layer (a tank, say, or a pair of trousers) underneath. Want to wear them to something a little fancier? Add a good helping of jewellery and maybe a little heel (this pair has been popular amongst subscribers), and you’ve got an outfit for that, too.

An A-line dress in off-white: simple, yet well-crafted in the way that Studio Nicholson always pulls off, and with an asymmetric wrap front that gives it a bit of an edge. I love how they’ve styled it with trousers here, but it would work just as well on its own with a bit of jewellery and a colourful bag.

I shared this look in ’s piece about what I (and a bunch of other brilliant writers) would wear for a day in Paris, and I’ve worn it a lot since. The dress is linen (and currently on sale) and comes in a deep russet colour — a nice departure from my usual black, white and navy, without being too bold that I won’t actually wear it. I’ve been wearing trousers underneath it because, besides a recent heatwave, we often need an extra little layer in this part of the world — but it looks just as good on its own.

Perfect for hot days when you want something a little loose and skimpy. This dress (currently in Soeur’s very good sale) is made from a lyocell/linen mix, and has two delicate straps that button at the back. Speaking of the back, it’s just as beautiful as the front, with a slight opening that makes for a very interesting detail.

Is there anything better than a 90s-style slip dress? I have one from Raey that I bought a few years ago before it shuttered, and it’s one of my favourite pieces to get out once the sun appears. This one from Aussie brand Venroy is 100% linen, has slim, adjustable straps, and an invisible side zip for easy getting in and out. There are a few other colours, and international shipping is available at a cost.

I love a black dress in summer (you’ll see a few throughout this post). They’re classic, they’re easy, and they look good with any accessory and other colour. This dress from Studio Nicholson is made from crushed viscose, which gives it an effortless drape. There’s a low, elasticated waist to give it shape, and a flowing skirt for that fluidity, perfect for summer.

This dress has an asymmetric wrap silhouette, a V-neckline, and a V at the back too. For an everyday summer dress, I’d wear it as they’ve styled it here: layered over a tank or a light long-sleeved top. It would work just as well for evening too, with a pair of heels or fancy flats and a good sprinkling of jewellery.

A voluminous dress on a hot day: what could be better? This pima cotton poplin dress from Merlette has a boat neck, long sleeves with elasticated cuffs, and gathering at the sides and back. Like with the other black dresses featured in this post, it’s perfect for dressing up or down. I love the idea of it with ballet pumps or flip-flops for an everyday dress.

Another blank canvas dress that can be worn in multiple ways. This one is made from 100% organic, midweight cotton, and comes in a soft cinnamon brown. It has a swing shape that looks great on its own (as shown) or belted at the waist if you want a little more definition.

I have a long black cotton dress that I bought in an Acne sample sale in Melbourne circa 2018. It’s pretty simple — no bells, no whistles — but it has a great shape, and it’s useful. I still wear it every summer. This dress is pretty similar, but is made from a soft brushed jersey. Honestly, sometimes a ‘basic’ can become one of the most utilised pieces in your wardrobe.

When I think about the dresses I throw on most in summer, there’s one that springs to mind: a long blue, sleeveless dress from COS bought years ago, with a slightly low back. It’s nothing fancy, but I always get compliments when I wear it, and I can zhush it up with a bit of jewellery. This TOAST dress is very similar, but it comes with the added benefit of a nice button detail at the back. It’s also available in washed black.

100% cotton, sleeveless, with a full, voluminous skirt that creates an excellent shape. There’s space to add an extra layer underneath this dress (cupro trousers in this case, to add a bit more to the silhouette), and it’s truly a blank canvas, so you can have fun with accessories, jewellery, and outerwear. If bright colours are more your thing, the red version of this dress is currently on sale.

You can never have too many linen dresses in my opinion (for my top linen brands, cast your eyes here). They’re easy, cooling, and if you look after them well, you’ll have them for years. This dress from TOAST has contrasting wide and narrow stripes, side pockets, and a loose-ish shape. It’s shown here with the matching culottes, which adds a little extra to the overall silhouette.

A mini shift dress is such a useful piece to have in a summer wardrobe. Throw it on with a pair of sandals on hot days, or layer it over a pair of trousers on cooler ones — there’s really so much you can do with it. This dress from DISSH has that classic shift shape, with a deep V-neckline and embroidered lace trim. A bit like a nightie, only much less see-through.

New Zealand-based Harris Tapper is now available on Moda Operandi, making it much easier for those of us outside the Southern Hemisphere to get our hands on the brand. This piece is a wrap-effect midi dress with gathered shoulders, crossover draping, and an elasticated waist. For an everyday dress, pair it with sandals or flats, and a silver cuff.

A very simple, sleeveless throw-on-and-go dark brown dress with a scoop back. There aren’t many details apart from an exposed seam down the centre of the back, which makes it very easy to play with accessories and other colours. I love the idea of it with a bold gold necklace.

You’ve probably seen me mention this dress before (it even made it into last week’s travel essentials post), but it is very good. A classic 100% linen shift in deep navy (it also comes in white), it’s one of those wear-anywhere-and-everywhere pieces I know I’ll be living in this summer. Go for your usual size, and use code ANGHARAD10 for 10% off.

Any items marked with * have been gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.

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