I'm Living in Dresses This Heatwave—12 Zara, H&M and COS Styles That Are Already Selling Fast
Summer has officially arrived, and these are the elegant dresses I'll be living in during the warmer months.
We’re officially in the midst of a heatwave, and all I want to wear is a breezy dress. Now that the sunshine has arrived, I’m returning to one of the most reliable summer blueprints—dress, sandals, basket bag. Having tracked down the best basket bags around and waded through the influx of new sandals to find the sleekest styles, it's not time to turn our attention to sleek dresses. After hours of searching, I’ve found the very best summer dresses at Zara, H&M and COS.
Florrie wears the COS Embroidered Pima Cotton Midi Dress (£119)
This trifecta of high street brands is known for expensive-looking dresses. Turning their attention to enduring colourways, elegant silhouettes and refined design details, a selection of the summer dresses could easily pass for triple the price. Hunting through the new-in sections to find these standout styles can take hours, but I've taken one for the team, curating an edit of the very best below to give you more time in the sunshine.
Whether you're more of a minimalist or dialling up the drama with boho embellishments, there's something in this edit for you. For summer 2026, COS leans into refined silhouettes with pared-back designs to ensure they hold their contemporary feel year after year. At Zara, playful updates come in the form of polka-dot prints, pointelle knitwork, and intricate embroidery that add a romantic mood to summer dressing. Finally, H&M is bringing refinement to the fore with a focus on silhouette. Look to smocked bodices, draped fabrics, and refined halternecks that make these high-street dresses incredibly sophisticated. Now, I've rounded up the chicest summer dresses at Zara, H&M and COS for summer 2026.
Best Zara, H&M and COS Summer Dresses
If you think the front is pretty, just wait until you see the back!
I've already received so many compliments on this sleek COS dress.
One of the sleekest dresses I've seen in a long time.
A joyful injection into any summer wardrobe.
This refined style also comes in a deep navy.
This entire outfit looks designer.
An easy mini dress that can be restyled from the city to the seaside.
I've worn this exact dress with simple ballet flats, elegant sandals and dressed up with mules.
This dress will earn its keep in your forever wardrobe.
The hard part is choosing between the navy and burgundy versions.
I genuinely did a double take when I saw this rich-looking dress.
This dress has seamlessly slipped into my summer wardrobe.
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Simple, yet so effective.
This shade is exquisite.
If you're looking for refined silhouettes, this is for you.
I can already see this dress selling out fast.
A contemporary take on the denim dress.
Elegant enough to wear to the office.
The ruched-waist creates such a sleek silhouette.
The drop waist sets this smocked style apart from the rest.
Call upon this sophisticated style year after year.
Just add sandals and a basket bag.
Celebrate the sunshine with this sunny shade.
I know this dress is about to become a best-seller for the brand.
With a touch of linen to bring an airy feel on the hottest days.
The perfect throw-on style.
The intricate embroidery makes it hard to believe this dress is from the high street.
