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50 Best summer dresses 2019

No one can resist the charms of a good summer dress.

They are the one seasonal item that’ll see even your biggest tomboy in a smock and the jeans-only devotees rocking flouncy maxi numbers. And their power works in their variety: there’s literally a summer dress for everyone, no matter your feelings towards gingham and florals.

If you’re in the market for a do-all dress to wear for those casual summer plans–be it drinks down the pub, lazing in the park or a last-min BBQ – look to comfy fabrics and fun prints. We particularly love Mango’s Striped Jersey Dress and Samsøe & Samsøe’s Checkered Maxi for the something casual that’ll still impress. Or perhaps your occasion is more formal?

For those countless summer birthdays, christenings and garden party soirées, don’t shy away from ankle-skimming designs (see H&M’s divine Long Dress With Tie Collar) and keep your fabrics luxe.

If you’re a festival girl, you’ll know the drill already: boho prints and comfy classics. For this we adore Rixo’s Harper Dress and Anthropologie’s Juliet Maxi Dress which are as suited to Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage as they are your friend’s back garden on a balmy summer’s eve. Oh, and FYI tie-dye is back... we’ll just let that sink in.

Yet to delve into 2019’s summer dress offering? Look no further than 50 summer dresses to take you to St Tropez, your local, and beyond…

Urban Outfitters Macie Lace Trim Cutout Apron Dress

Please find all the components of the perfect summer dress: white cotton, embroidered lace trim and cutouts. Just avoid grassy situations to keep your white sparkling.

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£45 | Urban Outfitters | Buy it now On sale from £79

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Topshop Tie Dye Buckle Slip Dress

A grown-up take on the tie-dye revival, this figure-hugging maxi ticks all the boxes. Wear with barely-there sandals and dark accessories to veer away from feeling like you’re wearing an arts and crafts project.

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£39 | Topshop | Buy it now

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Felicie Dress

Does it get more summery than a white dress with broderie anglaise-like detail? This mini dress from Sézane is the epitome of a warm weather must-have for your holiday and beyond.

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£90 | Sézane | Buy it now

Kitri Leonora Pink Cotton Check Midi Dress

We fell in love with this fuchsia-white gingham dress when we first saw it on influencer Katherine Ormerod. Part picnic blanket, part milkmaid, what’s not to adore?

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£125 | Kitri | Buy it now

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Genevieve gathered tiered silk-habotai maxi dress​ by Kalita

We adore this gorgeous hand-dyed silk dress featuring the most dreamy silhouette of the season. Wear with barely-there sandals and billow in the wind like a St Tropez regular.

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£785 | Net-A-Porter | Buy it now

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Harper Psychedelic Shell Dress by Rixo

Do your best Anita Pallenberg in this 70s-perfect mini dress. Featuring a v-neck, billowing sleeves and a psychedelic print, you can recycle this one each festival season.

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£265 | Rixo | Buy it now

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Ghost Heidi Dress In Vintage Zebra

Note the pretty flecks of pink in this tiger print classic slip. Simply wear to the office over a white tee, or solo for a slinky evening drinks look.

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£47 | Ghost | Buy it now *On sale now, was £95

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ASOS DESIGN Shirred Mini Sundress With Pep Hem

This dress will be as comfy as it is stylish, featuring a shirred stretchy fabric. Ideal for lazy days spent rolling about in the grass.

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£28 | ASOS | Buy it now

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& Other Stories Floral Puff Sleeve Mini Dress

Now available from ASOS, you can catch us running through the meadows in this puff-sleeved mini. Or at the pub on an August afternoon.

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£79 | ASOS | Buy it now

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STAUD Sur Checked Linen-Blend Mini Dress

Part milkmaid, part Clueless, we’re pretty taken with this checkered mini dress. Featuring a structured bodice, frilly sleeves and a hem that is just short enough, it’s the perfect balance between pretty and sexy. Imagine this with a tan.

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Sold out from Selfridges

£133 | My Theresa | Buy it now

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Mango Striped Jersey Dress

Let this rib knit fabric be the comfiest dress you wear all summer. Pair with trainers for a stroll and just throw on a cardi for when the evening chill sets in.

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£19.99 | Mango | Buy it now

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Topshop Dalmation Sleeve Dress

This Dalmatian print dress is super fun, while the V-neck and angel sleeves look flattering on just about anyone. Looks great for the office and even better with an Aperol Spritz in hand.

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£49 | Topshop | Buy it now

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Realisation Par Sunny Dress

The perfect dress to pick up flowers down the market. Plus, you can wear this one three ways: as a halter, cross back or straight down straps.

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£124 | Realisation Par | Buy it now

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H&M Silk Dress

Slip dresses are the perfect summer day-to-night go between: fact. And this side-slit, champagne-hued number is one of the best we’ve seen. Just swap out your Converse for mules for a 24-hour outfit.

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£79.99 | H&M | Buy it now

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Kitri Siena Animal Print Tea Dress

Summer dresses don’t have to be all florals and gingham–animal prints work just as well, too. Look to this volume-sleeved tea dress if leopard is more your vibe. Note the lime green buttons for a cool detail.

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£125 | Kitri | Buy it now

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& Other Stories Ruffle Strap Linen Mini Dress

Add a slick of red lipstick and take this straight silhouette linen mini on your holiday date night.

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£49 | & Other Stories | Buy it now

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Cos Voluminous Strap Dress

Perfect for those days where you don’t want to wear your anything clingy, this oversized, cocoon shape dress will cuddle you up, while the sky blue hue means you can also wear it for upscale events.

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£79 | Cos | Buy it now

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Juliette Dunn Floral-Print Rick Rack Trim Cotton Mini Dress

As boho as it is painterly, you’re unlikely to see anyone else around you wearing a print as cute as this. Wear for weekend drinks with black boots and throw on a leather jacket when the sun goes down.

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£145 | Matches Fashion | Buy it now

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FREE PEOPLE Sunrise Wanderer Embroidered Cotton Mini Dress

Best suited to the cobbled streets of that European town you’re visiting, this white smock screams summer dressing. And just have a look at that bohemian embroidery. Dreamy.

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£130 | Free People | Buy it now

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Samsøe & Samsøe Checked Tiered Crepe Maxi Dress

You’ll emanate sunshine in the one, featuring a yellow classic check, billowing shape and delicate straps. Just slip on and grab a chilled glass of rosé with the girls.

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£150 | Selfridges | Buy it now

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Wednesday's Girl Tie Waist Dress In Dalmatian Spot

The girly Dalmatian print, high-neck and keyhole front make this the perfect dress to take to your mate’s balmy evening birthday drinks.

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£20 | ASOS | Buy it now

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Zara Striped Crochet Dress

Crochet is one fabric that doesn’t have a place anywhere but summer, so fill your boots while you can with a crochet dress. We’re particularly yearning for this striped number.

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£19.99 | Zara | Buy it now

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ASOS DESIGN Midi Tea Dress With Buttons

Look to this turquoise green midi tea dress for a talking point at your next summer engagement.

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£38 | ASOS | Buy it now

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Topshop Gingham Ruffle Mini Dress

Gingham and summer go hand-in-hand, and this burgundy and white print will separate yours from the bunch. The tie-waist and frill straps keep this super pretty while the hem falls at just the right length.

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£15 | Topshop | Buy it now *On sale from £35

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Urban Outfitters Positano Linen Tie-Shoulder Midi Dress

As we know, checks and summer go hand-in-hand which is why we have our eye faithfully on this tie-shoulder midi. Pair with chunky trainers to balance out the milkmaid vibes.

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£18 | Urban Outfitters | Buy it now *On sale from £62

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Monsoon Wendy Print Hanky Hem Dress

What’s not to love about this watercolour floral dress with an assymetrical hem? This wouldn’t look amiss at a garden party with a glass of champagne in hand.

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£99 | Simply Be | Buy it now

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Uterque Green Polka Dot Linen Dress

Another breezy option, this pale green polka dot number is made to be taken on hols. Wear with tan sandals and gold jewellery for extra style points.

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£120 | Uterque | Buy it now

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Glamorous Midi Cami Dress In Midi Spot

We love how light and airy this polka dot summer slip is. Just throw in your weekend bag for the easiest outfit for your weekend away.

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£28 | ASOS | Buy it now

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Solid & Striped Peekaboo Cutout Velvet And Satin-Trimmed Ponte Dress

This one works equally as well as a sultry after dark number or a pretty day dress when paired with a straw hat and bag. Divine!

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£98 | Net-A-Porter | Buy it now *On sale from £195

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Mes Demoiselles Francesca Floral-Print Silk Mini Dress

We imagine wearing this warm-toned dress while wine-tasting in the South of France. Or down your local boozer. Either works.

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£210 | Matches Fashion | Buy it now

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Whistles Daisy Print Ester Dress

This daisy print dress is crying out to be worn for leisurely summertime strolls. And when you feel like it, swap your trainers for heeled boots and you have another outfit altogether.

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£75 | Whistles | Buy it now *On sale from £149

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Reformation Genie Dress

This slim-fit dress is the perfect balance of casual yet undeniably special. Looks equally good with trainers as it does mules.

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£168 | Reformation | Buy it now

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Monsoon Kristina Fit&Flare Dress

We adore the golden yellow hue on this fit and flare number. Perfect for your next sophisticated ladies lunch.

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£110 | Simply Be | Buy it now

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Printed Poplin Dress

Swap out that maxi for a mini in this chic floral print with a puff sleeve detail. In one of this season’s most popular silhouettes, you really can’t go wrong with this Zara dress.

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£29.99 | Zara | Buy it now

ASOS DESIGN one shoulder puff sleeve floral mini skater

Wedding season can be an expensive affair with hen parties, destination celebrations and presents, it all adds up pretty quickly. But have no fear, ASOS is on hand with wedding guest ready designs like this one-shoulder puff sleeve option that makes formal dressing a breeze.

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£38 | ASOS | Buy it now

Short Fluted Dress

Arket know a thing or two about effortlessly chic dressing as perfectly demonstrated by this green dress that will serve you for any and all summer occasions – from the boardroom to the beach.

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£69 | Arket | Buy it now

Faithfull The Brand Ari Midi Dress

This pale blue hue appears to be one of the most popular colours this summer (as demonstrated by the ubiquitous Rixo daisy print dress). You can certainly see why when you look to this feminine and flattering piece from Faithfull The Brand created using artisan techniques in Bali.

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£175 | Anthropologie | Buy it now

Polka Dot Dress

The undeniable dress of the summer, you really can’t go a day without spotting (if you’ll pardon the pun) this polka number. The appeal of the dress cannot be undersold. Like the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, it literally suits everyone.

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£39.99 | Zara | Buy it now

Linen-blend midi dress

If there was ever a sartorial sign that it was summer, it would be a white linen dress and this option from Mango will become your staple. The piece has an off-the-shoulder design with a squared neckline and smocked detail.

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£49.99 | Mango | Buy it now

Ganni Floral-print plissé-georgette midi dress

One of our favourite Scandi labels Ganni will transform your dull winter wardrobe into a colourful watercolour-inspired delight with this midi dress that has a lightweight, loose-fitted silhouette with feminine ruffle details at the neck and cuffs.

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£180 | Net-A-Porter | Buy it now

Staud Tarte ruched crepe mini dress

Neon is everywhere this summer and this versatile take on the trend from LA-born label Staud is the kind of piece you can wear at a festival, or even down the pub on a Saturday night with friends. Taking inspiration from classic 90s designs, it has a slip-like silhouette with a cowl neck.

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£185 | Net-A-Porter | Buy it now

Dress with a bell-shaped skirt

Animal print is the gift that keeps on giving but if you are not quite ready to take the leopard plunge, this monochromatic zebra option is a toned down way to tap into the trend. It also makes the perfect warm weather piece and holiday essential to slip on over a swimsuit.

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£17.99 | H&M | Buy it now

Striped Sleeveless Dress

Bring a subtle rainbow addition to your wardrobe with this muted pastel number with this striped sleeveless dress from Cos. Made from a cotton-jersey, it's a quick cure for any summer sartorial panic.

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£45 | Cos | Buy it now

Woven-Jersey Belted Shirt Dress

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Every summer, we have the same sartorial stress of what to wear to work. You need something that you won’t melt in during a sauna-like commute yet remains covered up and still professional. Enter this belted Cos dress that plays on this border and looks good while doing it.

£59 | Cos | Buy it now

Selena Pink Vintage Tea Dress

Kitri have reimagined the classic tea dress silhouette style in a bold pink colour with a playful sun jacquard design. The vintage-inspired piece can be worn from day to play and would also work well for that wedding you've been having sartorial-related worries about.

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£125 | Kitri | Buy it now

Jessica Reynolds // Shopping editor