Blame Instagram, but I genuinely feel like I'm the only person on the planet right now who isn't in the Maldives. Some influencers might have on beautiful bikinis and glam cover-ups, but I'm still clinging on to my light layers and practical shoes. While we can't all spend our Monday afternoons reclining on a tropical beach, we can still join the jet set by planning our own getaway wardrobes. Besides, summer is now in full swing, so what better time to plot a warm-weather wardrobe for the coming months? The main player? Summer dresses, of course.
The new-season collections are dropping like crazy, alongside plenty of bargains in the sales (see our edit here), so there's plenty to choose from. As such, I've been saving items across all of my favourite accounts—from ASOS to Net-a-Porter. From the prints, shapes and brands worth investing in to the styles that work both home and away, I've made an edit of the 20 summer dresses you should consider for 2019.
The Print: Polka Dots
Style Notes: Timeless, effortlessly stylish and so versatile, polka dots are still big news this summer. Sunset backdrop optional but strongly advised.
Look at those sleeves.
Embrace your inner flamenco girl.
Get your raffia accessories at the ready.
The belt on this mini is so cute.
So into the '80s vibes.
The Colour: Green
Style Notes: Shades of green have been widely popular of late. From lime to sage, this time, we're drawing attention to the deeper hue as seen on Ellie in the Hellessy belted dress. Team with raffia accessories to be beach-smart and switch to golden jewels for evening.
Hello, dream day dress.
Just add Havaianas.
I can already see this with a basket bag at the beach bar.
Go one shouldered for poolside.
Wear with tan sandals.
The Brand: Saloni
Style Notes: We imagine you've heard of Saloni (or at least noticed its dreamy dresses on social). Like Ghost and Rixo, this is another go-to brand for It dresses. See below for proof.
Clashing prints always win.
The thin straps make this ideal for the beach.
Fruit print is having a bit of a moment.
A seriously wedding-ready frock.
Related: Is It Just Us, or Is Everyone in London Wearing One of These 9 Buys?
The Style: Prairie
Style Notes: Team Who What Wear are big fans of the prairie dress trend, and we're not the only ones. Celebs including Florence Welch and Alexa Chung have already backed the Batsheva style Aurora is wearing here.
So, so pretty.
This dress will bring you so much joy every time you wear it.
It's also in a key colour, so you can tick off two trends in one.
That's your evening look sorted.
Wear with Western boots.
The Detail: Statement Sleeves
Style Notes: Statement sleeves are the key to creating 2019's silhouette. Make like Jessie and team with a beaded bag and matching hair clip—that's one way to tick off all the microtrends in one fell swoop.
The simplicity of this dress emphasises the striking neckline.
Wear with Western ankle boots.
This would look fab belted.
You can't go wrong with an LWD.
We can't cope with how amazing this looks on.
The Clever One: Holiday-to-Home Styles
Style Notes: We know what you're thinking: If you buy a beach-ready frock, you won't be able to wear it back in the UK, right? Wrong. If you opt for a dress that's easy to layer, you've got the answer to shopping savvy. Look for styles that also layer over polo-necks and options that look just as good with boots as they will with sandals.
This dress is knitted and long, so it can work during colder months. The fabric is quite light, though, so it's perfect for holiday evenings.
Wear with party shoes for a night out.
The button style is so flattering on. Trust us.
You could even wear it open thrown over a bikini.
Beach or brunch, it'll work in all climates.
Next up, these are all the S/S 19 trends you need to take note of.
Opening Image: @nicoleocran
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