Ava Gilchrist
The weather has taken a glorious turn, and with it an opportunity to don the best summer dresses you've been dreaming of. A great dress is possibly one of the most versatile items in your wardrobe, and will work hard for you all year round. In fact, yesterday morning, when the Who What Wear team Slack channel was buzzing with questions on what to wear to the office this week, it seemed there was only one solution. A dress would have to do!
And where can you find a pick of the best dresses out there? Right here, of course. Not only have we done our research in terms of key trends for 2025, but we’ve also found styles you’ll be wearing way beyond this season. So, what styles should you take note of? The biggest dress trends for 2025 are refined and elegant. There's, of course, the humble polka dot print, which has quickly become the most in-demand pattern of the year. There's also romantic motifs that have become hallmarks at Dôen and Rixo. Don't forget pastel shades like powder pink and baby blue that are quickly becoming the leading colour trends of the season.
Indeed, these are pieces you’ll be able to pull out year after year and still be smug about how great they are. And the best bit is that they can be worn now, in this spectacular warm weather, and through dips in temperature with a quick change of footwear (swap the sandals for a closed-toe flat) and by adding a few layers like a blazer or cashmere knit. So, you really get your bang for your buck.
Scroll on to discover the 25 dresses that made the cut.
Shop the 25 Best Summer Dresses of 2025
Style Notes: Dôen is one of our favourite dress brands here at Who What Wear (and for good reason!) I love this romantic take on the top print trend of the season: polka dots.
Material: Silk-blend satin
Size Range: XXS - XL.
Style Notes: Just a really simple, but lovely, black dress. I adore how this tunic-esque bodice flows into a stunning fluid skirt.
Material: TENCEL™ Lyocell, recycled linen and cotton.
Size Range: XXS - L
Style Notes: We here at Who What Wear can't get enough of premium Australian fashion label, Faithfull. The B-Corp fashion brand designs the most beautiful holiday dresses and we have this drop-waist and stripe style pegged as the next 'It' piece of the season. Dress it up with heels or down with flip flops.
Material: A cotton and nylon blend.
Size Range: XS - XXL.
Style Notes: If you want to be transported to Lake Como, the Nobody's Child Felicity dress is your invite. The piece features a calf-grazing length and strapless bandeau top with delicate ruching. (Plus that all too enviable polka dot print, of course.)
Material: 100% organic cotton.
Size Range: XS - L.
Style Notes: Dôen are the master of the nap dress, but what I love most about this breezy style is how nostalgic the blue floral print is. Feels like wallpaper you'd find in a chateau in Provence.
Material: 100% organic cotton.
Size Range: XXS - XXL.
Style Notes: No wardrobe is complete without a little black dress. This Reformation version fills that empty gap between flirty day dresses you can pair with sandals and elegant styles you can wear to a bar on a first date, thanks to the flirty length and tie-up finish.
Material: Linen.
Size Range: XS - XL.
Style Notes: Tug on your inner romantic's heart strings with this sumptuous silk dress. Not only is butter yellow the colour of the season, but the contrasting lace trim and bow accent bring such a thoughtfulness to the basic mini shape. Consider this the daytime version of Kate Moss' Calvin Klein slip dress from the 1995 Met Gala or Andie Anderson's iconic gown from How To Loose A Guy In 10 Days.
Material: A lightweight silk charmeuse fabric.
Size Range: XXS - XL.
Style Notes: From the basque waist to the milkmaid neckline, there are so many chic details woven into the Reformation Balia linen dress. As Who What Wear UK Shopping Editor, Florrie Alexander, said, "I'm 110% obsessed."
Material: Linen.
Size Range: XXS - XL.
Style Notes: Bubblegum and ivory are shades always present in Prada collections. This easy throw-on-and-go dress from Arket taps into that niche, without the designer price tag. That's not saying the style is any less chic, however. On the contrary, the make of this is expertly finished with a keyhole button closure and A-line shape.
Material: Silk.
Size Range: XXS - L.
Style Notes: This year is all about thoughtful details, like swapping silk for satin and switching out linguine-esque straps for more considered rounded necklines. This & Other Stories dress does both while still maintaining the elegance and effortlessnes of a classic slip dress. Available in two colours, and both selling out fast!
Size Range: XS - XXL.
Style Notes: When it comes to the best summer dresses, I'm instantly besotted with anything that boasts long sleeves but a short hemline. This Aligne cotton mini ticks both boxes and earns extra bonus points for the collar, pockets, boxy cut and embroidered cut-outs.
Material: Organic cotton.
Size Range: XXS - XXL.
Style Notes: This silk-blend knitted style is a great option for the beach. If looking to get more wear out of it, take cues from how & Other Stories styled the piece by wearing it with heeled sandals and organic-shaped cord pendant jewellery.
Material: Mulberry silk blended with cotton.
Size Range: XS - L
Style Notes: This Massimo Dutti dress has really caught my eye for multiple reasons. Firstly, the cherry red hue feels like the grown-up answer to the tomato girl aesthetic that dominated last season. But also the in-built draping makes the style far more expensive-looking than it actually is. Consider this the frontrunner for the best wedding guest dress of the season.
Material: 100% linen.
Size Range: XS - M.
Style Notes: There's nothing more lovely and summery than a simple white dress. It's made from airy cotton voile with an elongated collar and waist tie to give you some more dimension.
Material: Lightweight cotton.
Size Range: XS - XXL
Style Notes: From elevated picnics to nights on the dance floor, Realisation Par's Esmé dress in rouge spot is destined to be a bestseller that's suited for all occasions. Throw on a knitted cardigan and a flirty heel.
Material: Silk crepon, a delicate georgette.
Size: XXS - XXL.
Style Notes: A blue that's so soft it almost is like a sea foam white, DISSH brings the beach-forward attitude of Australia with contemporary shapes and cuts, like this V-neck dress with sweet tuck detailing.
Material: Cotton.
Size Range: XS - XXL
Style Notes: When it comes to the best summer dresses, I always find that the most desirable styles are the ones that take very little effort to make me look put together. This tank top dress fits that brief exactly. Wear with strappy sandals or snakeskin print shoes to offset the dark chocolate colourway.
Material: 100% organic cotton.
Size Range: XS - L.
Style Notes: This summer, blues will reign supreme. I adore this brighter take on a classic navy style, with the slinkiest straps and shirring around the bodice for a fitted finish.
Material: Organic cotton.
Size Range: XS - M
Style Notes: Zimmermann makes some of the best summer dresses of all time. Revered for their bohemian shapes and eye-catching prints, this lace-pannelled mini is designed for rooftop cocktails and days spent by the coast.
Material: Cotton and lace.
Size Range: XS - L.
Style Notes: For less than the price of an average dinner in London, this Mango dress will give you an elegant silhouette thanks to the brown polka dot print and body-contouring fit. Not bad for a summer dress under £30.
Material: Polyester.
Size Range: XXS - XXL.
Style Notes: For those summer days where daytime quickly turns into nighttime adventures, reach for this easy-going H&M dress. Pair with boho-inspired wooden clogs to make it the ultimate 2025 outfit.
Material: Cotton
Size Range: XXS - XL.
Style Notes: Make Kendall Jenner's daisy yellow dress from Coachella and invest in this dreamy drop-waist style from Free People. Be sure to size down, however, as the pieces tends to run a little large.
Material: Polyester.
Size Range: XXS - L.
Style Notes: Sometimes, one summer dress is not enough. Following on from the sheer layering trend that dominated last year, this dual COS knit dress adds an extra bit of oomph to simple daytime dressing.
Material: Viscose.
Size Range: XS - L.
Style Notes: This summer, I predict white poplin dresses to be an unsung hero trend. Thankfully, there are so many minimal designer brands offering this style in spades. I adore this Róhe version the most, however. The piece is well crafted, expertly made and finished to perfection with the billowing skirt and tapered fit around the waist.
Material: 100% Cotton
Size Range: XXS - L
Style Notes: Draping is the easiest way to elevate a simple summer dress. St. Agni already counts so many celebrities as fans—from Kendall Jenner to Meghan Markle—and it's clear why when looking at this sculptural and intentionally crinkled style.
Material: Cotton, nylon and spandex.
Size Range: XXS - XL.
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