How to Style Summer’s Most-Wanted Dresses, From Flirty Floral Frocks to Polished Shirtdresses (2024)

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With summer in full swing comes a slew of new dress trends to sport (and shop!) now, from flirty floral frocks to resort-ready dresses. Not to mention that a summer dress is the easiest, and most elegant, way to combat the heat in total style. Alongside other key staples of your warm-weather wardrobe, like breezy, billowing pants, linen button-ups, and statement swimwear, a delightful dress is undoubtedly the chicest centerpiece. With that being said, it’s likely that you already have a festive frock or two tucked away in your closet, so now comes the fun part: crafting your summer dress outfits. Follow along for one-and-done styling tips, some of which include woven basket bags, minimalist thong sandals, statement sunnies, and more.

Vogue’s Summer Dress Wish List:

• The Resort-Ready Dress: A.L.C. Lark strapless printed maxi dress, $795
• The Summer-In-The-City Staple: Proenza Schouler printed halter dress, $890
• The Polished Shirtdress: Loulou Studio Moala maxi shirtdress, $305
• The Chic Crochet Choice: Zimmermann Ginger crochet-lace midi dress, $895
• The Sweet Stripes: Vince painterly stripe sundress, $445
• The LBD: Tove Lauryn gathered midi dress, $600
• The Floral Frock: Alémais Astra floral midi dress, $375
• The Whimsical White Dress: Prada embroidered poplin and lace dress, $4,800
• The Casual Cover-Up Style: Tory Burch mixed daisy midi dress, $498
• The Puffed-Sleeve Pick: Ulla Johnson Palma tiered midi dress, $430

Vacation bound? Wear resort-ready dresses from A.L.C’s strapless geometric style to Johanna Ortiz’s printed slip dress on your next holiday in the sun. Styling-wise, lean on accessories that are equally on theme, like Saint Laurent’s mini raffia bag and strappy gladiator sandals from A.Emery. Master summer-in-the-city style with Proenza Schouler’s printed halterneck dress and simple slide sandals from Toteme. The final result? A look that is ever so sleek. When it comes to summer workwear, polished shirtdresses are cool, yet professional. Keep it smart and stylish by pairing Loulou Studio’s maxi shirtdress with Khaite’s croc-embellished smoking loafers. Nothing screams summer quite like a hint of crochet or a nautical stripe, and dresses from Zimmermann and Vince are at the top of our shopping lists.

An LBD is a seasonal star, while a bright white dress is another warm weather non-negotiable. Rounding out our summer dress outfits are Alémais’s floral frock, Ulla Johnson’s puffed-sleeve pick, and Tory Burch’s cover-up style. What to wear underneath you ask? Why Anemos’s little black bikini, of course.

Below, 10 summer dress outfits to carry you through the season as chic as possible.

The Resort-Ready Dress With a Mini Raffia Bag

This summer, don’t go on holiday without A.L.C’s strapless geometric dress. Styling-wise, keep it equally on theme with accessories like Saint Laurent’s mini raffia bag, strappy gladiator sandals from A.Emery, and By Alona’s hoop earrings.

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The Summer-in-the-City Staple With a Simple Slide Sandal

Interested in dressing for summer even if you’re not beach bound? Enter Proenza Schouler’s printed halterneck dress as the ultimate summer-in-the-city staple. Match the sleek style with simple slide sandals from Toteme, The Row’s covetable Park tote, and sunnies from Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza.

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The Polished Shirtdress With a Sleek Smoking Loafer

Any summer workwear wardrobe requires a polished-to-perfection shirtdress, and Loulou Studio’s maxi dress is a prized pick. Smoking loafers from Khaite are sticking around for another season, while Mango’s basket bag is a summertime star.

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The Chic Crochet Choice With a Chunky Sandal

On a hot summer day, a crochet dress is a no-brainer outfit solution, and Zimmermann’s Ginger midi dress is so beautiful you’ll want to wear it at each and every occasion. Elevated, yet understated accessories from DeMellier, Birkenstock, and Brilliant Earth balance out this chic crochet choice.

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The Sweet Stripes With an Everyday Sneaker

A striped dress is one chic way to add a node of nautical to your summer outfits this season. Vince’s painterly striped midi dress is both sweet and statement-making at the same time. Style the staple with everyday sneakers from Nike and for some extra coverage, drape over Lisa Yang’s cashmere V-neck sweater.

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The LBD With a Minimalist Thong Sandal

The secret to successful soiree dressing this summer? A little black dress, of course. Masterfully minimal, Tove’s strapless LBD pairs perfectly with heeled thong sandals from Toteme. To complete the look, carry Khaite’s raffia moon bag and dazzle in a pearl necklace from Timeless Pearly.

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The Floral Frock With an Elegant Espadrille

Florals may be seasonless, but the print is especially festive during the summer months. Attend any garden party or co*cktail in style courtesy of Alémais’s floral linen midi dress. Add in elegant espadrilles from Castañer and Hereu’s top handle bag to finish the look. We couldn’t forget about Janessa Leone’s statement sunhat, either.

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The Whimsical White Dress With a Metallic Evening Sandal

At backyard barbecues, pool parties, what have you; a whimsical white dress is a summer wardrobe nonnegotiable. Prada’s lace version is delightfully dainty, especially when styled alongside metallic evening sandals from Zara and Loewe’s sequined tote. Drop earrings from Ring Concierge are also hard to miss.

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The Casual Cover-Up Style With a Little Black Bikini

Easy, breezy dresses to throw on over a little black bikini are essential in the summertime. Enter Tory Burch’s daisy-printed midi dress into the equation. Layered over an Anemos swimsuit and finished with fashion flip-flops from The Row, this is one summer dress outfit to wear on repeat all season long.

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The Puffed-Sleeve Pick With a Fisherman Sandal

Romantic and bohemian all at once, Ulla Johnson’s puffed-sleeve pick is sweet like summer. From now until September, style with festive fisherman sandals from Theory and Zara’s raffia-adorned crossbody bag.

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