We Try Before You Buy: The Very Best Summer Dresses on the Market
Minis, midis and sweeping maxis—we road-tested this season's most popular dresses to bring you our unbiased reviews of the ones really worth buying.
Our We Try Before You Buy series aims to take the stress out of shopping and eliminate the number of Post Office visits you make each month to return failed online orders. We test new-season buys and styling ideas so you don’t have to, and this month, our editors gave dozens of new summer dresses a spin to bring you their edit of the ones that are truly worth investing in.
So now we have it, the summer weather we've been feverishly praying for, but the reality is quite difficult to dress for. Between the soaring temperatures and general lack of air conditioning, we've been in heatwave survival mode, making morning outfit prep all the more challenging. Having made it through spring's deceptively chilly start in blouses and jeans, now is the time to reach for something a little lighter, and there is one key piece in mind that can rise to the occasion. Goodbye, jeans and trainers, hello light layers and shorter hemlines, because this season, the perfect summer outfit comes down to dresses and flat sandals.
Chic yet casual, effortless yet polished, dresses are the easiest instant outfit to pull on on the summer days that warrant fuss-free style. Whilst our focus over the last few months has been on the changing lengths of the skirt, we've been overlooking the prowess of a well-cut dress, and after Celine, Chloé and Stella McCartney made talking points of statement dresses this season, we're ready to welcome them back to our rotations with open arms. Whether you lean towards the romantic puff-sleeve, slinky slip or minimalist midi, there's no dress code (pun intended), there isn't the perfect style for. And so, to help you navigate the huge number of new summer dresses on the market, we decided to try on some of the market leaders to bring you the pieces that our editors were genuinely impressed with. Keep scrolling to see our pick of the best summer dresses in 2026.
The Best Summer Dresses 2026
The Best Occasion Dress
"Whilst I may be a bit of a colour-phobe, the alluring draw of this sunshine hue is undeniable, even for me. This asymmetrical linen dress will see me through all my summer soirees and holidays, and also comes with a silver floral brooch, should you want to add a metallic accent to the shoulder for statement occasion dressing." — Eleanor Vousden, beauty editor
Pros and cons: When we call pieces a "showstopper", this is exactly what we mean. From destination weddings to formal eveningwear, this is a dress designed to draw attention, and every detail, from the vibrant colour to the detachable brooch, is unforgettable. The linen fabric is perfect for warmer weather (just in case the cutout didn't provide enough ventilation), but be aware that a dress this regal comes with maintenance. Do not wash, bleach or tumble dry (specialist dry clean only!), and iron on the lowest setting to keep it crisp and vibrant.
Additional information: 88% linen, 12% polyamide (the main fabric is made from at least 50% traceable linen fibres of European origin).
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The Best White Cotton Dress
"I tend to wait until summer to wear dresses, and I prefer bohemian styles with plenty of detail, and that's what caught my eye about Rixo's dreamy cotton mini. My summer plans consist of festivals, parties, weddings and picnics, so I need simple styles that pack easily into a suitcase and look just as fresh with heeled sandals as they do with cowboy boots. Thankfully, this dress answered all of my prayers. Breathable, lightweight and cute without being too pretty, I can see this being a mainstay in my wardrobe for the hotter months to come." — Sophie Cookson, senior analyst
Pros and cons: Whether it's pretty blouses or dreamy dresses, Rixo has the fresh, feminine-dressing market covered. Acting almost as an evolution of the brand's Maribelle and Erika blouses, the Inez feels like the continuation of spring's most popular trend, now in a bohemian mini. Unlike a sheer blouse, this is partially lined for gauzy lightness without being transparent, and cute minis like this shift effortlessly between festival-ready with tall boots, or weekend errands with a basket bag and flats. Sizing is from 6 to 20, which is better than some premium-price options, but petite or tall shoppers will want to try it on in person to check the length, as there aren't height alternatives available.
Additional information: Outer is 100% cotton. Hand-wash cold.
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The Best Printed Dress
"If I'm looking for a summer dress that makes a statement, Réalisation Par is always my first port of call. Balancing cool-girl, fashion-forward energy with easy wearability, the brand's signatures are regularly seen on the likes of Hailey Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo and Devon Lee Carlson come summer, and it's easy to see why with the Electra dress. A fresh take on timeless florals, the retro print has an inherently '70s flower-power feel, but is brought up to date in rosy pinks. Whether it's the halterneck detail or the whisper-light silk, it's a style that would look just as chic with a barely there sandal as with a chunky flip-flop." — Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolaki, junior fashion editor
Pros and cons: The beauty in Réalisation Par dresses comes down to the choice of fabric. Few dresses on the market (especially for this price) are 100% silk and not satin, which means no static-y clinging, just smooth skimming in exactly the right places. Again, for what feels like a sheer dress, this is lined, but be aware that it isn't entirely opaque (the brand goes as far as to recommend nude underwear), and those with a larger bust may prefer a dress that allows for bra support and more coverage around the halter top.
Additional information: 100% silk chiffon, Lining: 100% silk georgette. Dry-clean only. No zip, so slip on only.
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The Best Midi Dress
"Tank tops and wide-leg trousers are my staples in summer, but this Reiss dress was enough to grab and hold my attention. I'm not big on colours and prints and prefer to keep things classic, so the straight silhouette and oatmeal colour got an instant yes from me. I'd happily wear this to dressier events over summer, but right now I'd style this with simple flip-flops for weekend lunch with the girls." — Emily Post, graphic designer
Pros and cons: Just when you thought all linen dresses were plain, boxy and white, Reiss' elevated midi is a breath of fresh air. This polished approach to summer dressing is the perfect blend of fashionable and functional, and special care has been taken to get the intricate details and the fit right. The fit-and-flare shape at the bust means no cling, and the small cutout acts as ventilation, but as with the previous dress, this is best suited to going bra-free and doesn't come in a petite alternative, unlike many of Reiss' other dresses.
Additional information: 85% linen, 15% viscose. Dry-clean only.
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The Best Maxi Dress
"COS is always my first port of call for chic summer dresses, and I couldn't let this dark chocolate column dress pass me by. The sleek, woven silhouette is punctuated with a fringed hem that joyfully swishes with every step. It's a dress that effortlessly bridges day-to-night dressing." — Eleanor Vousden, beauty editor
Pros and cons: Granted, it might not be your average maxi dress, but this light-knit column from COS is a must-see. What was once a hidden gem has now gone viral on socials, with shoppers impressed by the design and quality of a high-street dress, an indicator of the runway-ready pieces that COS has shown over the past few years. There's a lot to love about this pleasingly weighty, woven dress with an artisanal feel, so much so, in fact, that sizes are now extremely limited. Missed your chance? Sign up for notifications if you can't find it in store. We're hoping and praying for a restock.
Additional information: 100% viscose. Dry-clean only.
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The Best Overall Dress
"It's safe to say that Free People dresses come into their own in summer, and the Swimming Across The Sky Midi is arguably one of the best to date. With an inherently boho feel, the pleated bodice and lace panelling instantly drew my attention to the vintage-style design. Creating an elegant shape whilst still maintaining a carefree spirit, I could just imagine floating through wildflower fields or drinking wine at a vineyard in it." — Imani-Nia
Pros and cons: A dress has to tick a lot of boxes to be our favourite overall, but Free People's Swimming Across The Sky Midi Dress does not disappoint on any front. Firstly, the comfortable wear: with no cutouts, wriggling to get it on (or off), no clinging and no need for special underwear, this has all the ease of a throw-on-and-go style but with a more polished look. Second, the versatility. Boho dresses like this naturally pair with flat sandals, but just look at the Summer Shower colourway and tell me it isn't perfect for a wedding with a strappy gold heel.
Last, but not least, you can put it in the washing machine, iron and steam it, so no forking out for dry cleaning. With all these points in mind, this Free People number scores highly and is the kind of dress we'd happily wear on repeat this summer.
Additional information: 100% rayon. Machine wash cold. Available in sizes 4 (XS) to 20 (XL).
