A few days ago, I did something I'd never done before: quite literally rolled out of bed in an Eileen West nightgown and, half-awake, went straight across the street for coffee. To my surprise, given that I had just woken up, a woman came up to me and complimented how cute my dress was (aka pajamas), telling me she'd been looking for one just like it for summer.

My nightgown really did make for the perfect heatwave dress—airy and 100% cotton. When it's too hot to think, I like having something I can just throw on and go. I love how effortless it is—a one-and-done dress to look put together without actually trying.

Eileen West is one of my favorite brands for them, but I also have a few others I wear on repeat in my collection: the Pour Les Femmes Lace Square-Neck Nightgown, the Piyama Betty Nightie, and the Lanz of Salzburg Dream Long Nightgown. Other brands worth looking at for similar styles include Dôen, Free People, Helsa, Hill House, If Only If, J.Crew, and Posse.

Keep scrolling to shop nightgowns for summer 2026.

Shop Nightgowns

As we enter our latest heatwave, only one thing is on my mind: dresses. Over the past few sweltering months, this wardrobe staple has been a saving grace on bright days, seeing me through work meetings, weekend plans and evening catch-ups with ease, and that keyword of ease is set to be my mantra for the rest of August. Looking ahead to the rest of the summer days, I plan to fully embrace the relaxed mood of the season and, in turn, rely on one-and-done dresses to do the heavy lifting.

Whilst chatting to one of my most stylish friends, she told me that the elegant dresses in her summer wardrobe that I'd always assumed were designer were actually affordable styles from three high street brands. Now, 9 standout dresses fill my wish list, and they're all expensive-looking styles from Zara, Nobody's Child and J.Crew.

Whilst I spent a long time searching through various high street brands' dress collections, the three standouts were Zara, Nobody's Child and J. Crew. Zara has a way of tapping into every current trend as soon as they rise in popularity, whilst seamlessly blending timeless details to keep each piece feeling relevant in our wardrobes for years after. Along with sleek tailoring and polished accessories, Nobody's Child is known for its dresses, ranging from intricate patterns to minimalist refinement, and personally I think this season's collection is the strongest to date. Finally, I was influenced by a friend to explore J.Crew's new-in section as I was convinced her new dress had to be a designer purchase. In fact, it's a much more affordable option from J.Crew with all the intricate lace detailing and quality cotton, but at a much more reasonable price point.

As the best high street pieces tend to do, these breezy dresses are already selling fast. Scroll on to shop the standout dresses from Zara, Nobody's Child and J.Crew, and shop more high street dresses we adore right now.

9 Best Zara, Nobody's Child and J. Crew Dresses

Shop More High Street Dresses We Adore

For years, white dresses have been the undisputed hero of summer dressing. They’re timeless, effortless, and always look chic, but this season, stylish dressers are gravitating toward something that feels a bit more directional. Instead of reaching for another crisp white silhouette, fashion people are embracing striped summer dresses—a trend that delivers the same easy elegance while adding just enough visual interest to feel fresh for 2026.

There’s something inherently elevated about stripes during the warmer months. Whether they’re delicate pinstripes, bold nautical-inspired lines, or softly faded vintage motifs, they instantly give a dress more personality without sacrificing versatility. The print feels polished yet relaxed, making it an easy choice for everything from long lunches and weekend markets to vacations and everyday city wear. It’s the kind of trend that doesn’t rely on loud colors or dramatic details to make an impact—it simply looks expensive.

As we move deeper into summer and begin thinking ahead to early fall, striped dresses continue to prove their staying power. They pair effortlessly with everything from minimal sandals and woven accessories to sleek ballet flats and lightweight knits once temperatures begin to cool. If your closet already has its fair share of white dresses, consider this the season to branch out. A striped summer dress delivers the same effortless appeal while giving your wardrobe a subtle update that feels undeniably current.

Best Striped Summer Dresses

Get the look: Striped dress + Flip flops + Anklet

Get the look: Striped dress + Leather bag + Heels

Get the look: Striped dress + Dainty jewelry + Flip flops

Get the look: Striped dress + Oversized sunglasses + Flip flops

Get the look: Striped dress + Gold bangles + Wedges

Get the look: Striped dress + Small sunglasses + Strappy heels + Clutch

Get the look: Striped dress + Gold jewelry + Sandals

Get the look: Striped dress + Bucket hat + Beaded necklace + Sandals

Get the look: Striped dress + Small gold hoops + Flip flops

Shop More Striped Dresses

I'm a dress-obsessed fashion editor, so naturally, at this time of the year, shopping for dresses is one of my favorite things to write about, talk about, and partake in, of course. I am also blessed/cursed to live right down the street from a local Zara store and on a recent trip I stopped in to see what dresses they had in store. Now there's no doubt, there are a lot more options when shopping online but I spotted a whole host of chic styles, and headed straight into the fitting room with an embarrassingly hefty pile in hand. After trying over twenty plus dresses I ended up taking three chic styles home with me.

Keep scrolling to take a look (because summer is not over yet, friends!) and read on to see the new dress arrivals online that I currently have my eye on.

1. Lace Maxi Dress

When I saw this dress on the hanger, I was immediately drawn to how pretty it was. It's one of those dresses you can easily dress up for a fancy soirée with the right heels and accessories, or dress down for evening drinks with flip-flops and a raffia bag. The yellow straps and beading adds a lovely pop against the pastel gray-blue satin. It looks very luxurious and has a vintage vibe about it. I'd almost consider hemming this and making it into a mini dress in the years to come.

Shop:

2. Embroidered Short Dress

If there's a dress that embodies summer, this is it! Leaning into the lace-trim trend that's dominating this season, this pretty yellow dress detailed with delicate embroidery is perfect to take you from day-to-evening, and the empire waist and asymmetric hem is giving Y2K vibes in the best way.

Shop:

3. Satin Mini Dress

I couldn't take my eyes off the gorgeous color of this dress when I saw it on the racks, and just had to try it. The cowl neckline looks incredibly elegant yet trend-forward and the satin fabric exudes a rich-looking vibe. This is a fun dress for a Euro summer, or a night out where you want all eyes on you!

Shop more Zara dresses I'm eyeing right now:

You may not have realised it due to the back-to-back heatwaves we’ve experienced, but we're fast approaching the end of the summer. And with this comes the (very sad) realisation that I’ll soon be packing away my linen trousers, basket bags and, most devastatingly to me, lightweight dresses. So, with that at the top of mind, I’m determined to get the absolute most out of dress season before the temperatures drop in August. Of course, this means I’ve been on the hunt for some newer styles to add into my outfit rotations, and after spotting a particular high-street find on the forever-elegant Pippa Middleton, I think I’ve found the perfect one. And I was shocked to realise that it was the same style I missed out on last summer. Enter Reformation’s Naira Dress.

Spotted at Wimbledon wearing the red-and-white floral iteration with white court heels, a raffia hat and clutch, Pippa Middleton showed how simple Reformation’s Naira dress is to style for formal occasions. But rest assured that it can just as easily be styled with a pair of minimal trainers and a shoulder bag for more casual days out. Me personally? I’ll be wearing mine with a pair of suede loafers and a leather tote as an easy throw-on office outfit on those days I don’t know what to wear. With its subtle puff sleeves, deep V-neckline and maxi length, it strikes the perfect balance between ease and elegance.

Last year, it was the white-and-black polka dot iteration that took social media by storm, and although it sold out fast, summer 2026’s selection has five no-less-chic patterns to choose from. And trust me when I say—it’s selling fast.

Keep scrolling to shop Reformation’s Naira dress for summer 2026, and then take a browse at some more Reformation dresses I currently have my eye on.

Shop Reformation's Naira Dress

Shop More Reformation Dresses I Love

Is there anything quite like a European summer? Every year without fail, the continent comes alive with a vivacious energy that only comes with guaranteed sun, and as ever, Brits are making the most of it. The picturesque backdrops have transformed into an open-air runway, with the fashion set and locals alike heading to the coasts in their best ensembles. Be it the oversized sunnies and babydoll dresses of those "nonna-maxxing" or the vivid blues and board shorts of a 2000s surfer girl, one thing is for certain: fashion in Europe rarely misses, but there's something about the dress trends in particular that are in a league of their own.

With no two destinations the same, preferred dress styles can vary hugely. The printed maxis of Barcelona feel worlds away from the edgy, bandage minis of Berlin, and the polished resort styles floating through the streets of Monaco are the opposite of the casual, breezy linen minis of Paris.

With a two-week Euro-summer extravaganza mere days away on my calendar, I’ve been saving several dresses (categorised by city, of course). Looking at the chicest fashion people on my socials, the dresses they choose for each region are serving as the perfect guide to looking the part, so if your holiday is also just around the corner and you could do with some direction on dresses to pack, keep scrolling. Below you’ll discover the pieces influencers are wearing abroad. Happy holidays!

6 Dress Trends You Need to See Before Summer Ends

1. Paris: The Little White Dress

Style Notes: Paris is a fashion authority year-round, but if you’ve visited the city in summer, you’ll know that it gets sweltering. With the urban heat keeping tourists more than toasty, the only dress practical enough for the city is a mini. Lightweight and breathable, opt for styles without too much fuss to achieve that inherent Parisian nonchalance. Bonus points if you finish with a raffia bag and crochet flats.

Shop the Trend:

2. The Nordics: Voluminous Midis

Style Notes: After travelling to Copenhagen a few years ago, I realised that you need to be smart when choosing a dress. Even their hottest summers have a cool undercurrent, which means longer dresses in a slightly thicker fabric work best. But your dresses have to be boring. In fact, it's quite the opposite. With a style set that enjoys vintage-inspired prints and decidedly more sculptural silhouettes, the dress trends favoured by the most stylish Scandi dressers maintain this balance, just with a tad more coverage.

Shop the Trend:

3. London: Eclectic Minis

Style Notes: In a city where the style set follows a cooler, do-what-you-want aesthetic, the dress trends prominent in London are fashionable, functional, city-centric minis. Slinky drapes, playful prints, tassel fastenings, tie straps, scarves and belts: really, anything goes, as long as it's short (no pun intended). And no matter the shape, the most popular styles are those with a little extra Y2K energy.

Shop the Trend:

4. Spain: Prints Please

Style Notes: Whether you’re bobbing around the blissful coast of Palma or sampling Madrid's very best cuisine, a trip to Spain calls for a statement dress. With a vivacious spirit, España calls for your very best prints and patterns. Think sheer slinky maxis or vivid hues. In this locale, almost anything goes.

Shop the Trend:

5. Greece: Coastal Calling

Style Notes: My favourite region to visit in the summer, when packing a dress for Greece, I can't help but think white and blue. With the Mediterranean's blissful hues echoed in so much summer fashion, the coast calls for anything comprised of lightweight fabric (think crochet and satin maxis airy enough to keep you cool amid the balmier days). This season we're all about channeling the Ancients through dresses, Odysseus summer anyone?

Shop the Trend:

6. Italy: Watercolour Florals

Style Notes: With a nightlife as bustling as its lively streets, when packing for Italy, it’s essential to pack a style that will transition from day to night with you. The answer? Pretty minis adorned with watercolour florals perfect for exploring the city, or jumping from one Tuscan vineyard to another.

Shop the Trend:

I wear more dresses than anything else in my closet, aside from an equal number of skirts. That means I pay close attention to which styles are trending every season. For summer 2026, those include baby-doll, sheer, shirred, and crochet styles.

Some of the brands our editors look to most for summer dresses are Dôen, J.Crew, Posse, Rumored, Rixo, Matteau, and SIR. Some of my other favorites are Cou Cou, Paloma Wool, Emily Dawn Long, St. Agni, Rue Sophie, Faithfull, and Silk Laundry.

Especially in the summer, there's an emphasis on natural materials such as silk and cotton. A simple '90s-inspired bias-cut slip dress never gets old, and I also love a nightgown. I recently quite literally rolled out of bed in one from Eileen West, walked across the street to my local coffee shop, and had a woman stop to compliment me. Halterneck and strapless styles are among my most-worn pieces as well.

Keep scrolling to shop all of the above.

Slip Dresses

Nightgown Dresses

Baby-Doll Dresses

Sheer Dresses

Halterneck Dresses

Strapless Dresses

Crochet Dresses

Shirred Dresses

Here's a simple fact: If you ever spot Jennifer Lopez vacationing somewhere, she will be wearing the latest seasonal trends. That's exactly the case at this very moment, as Lopez was just spotted vacationing with her kids in Rome wearing the quintessential summer-2026-vacation-in-Italy outfit. And her outfit also confirmed what we here at Who What Wear have found to be another fact in 2026: Fashion people are forgoing plain white dresses on occasion for scarf dresses, one of the most popular (and prettiest) dress trends of the season.

Scarf dresses, made popular by highly influential brands such as Dôen (the brand of J.Lo's dress), Posse, and Reformation, have gone absolutely viral this summer. They're defined by scarf prints and scarf details, such as asymmetrical hems and straps that tie at the shoulders. Lopez's fits into the latter, and the Dôen banded minidress also featured scarf-like embroidery. So what to wear with these eye-catching dresses? The sandal-color trend that's equally eye-catching and also versatile: metallic. Lopez opted for a pair of gold flip-flops, and given that they go with everything and dress up or down, if you're going on vacation and only want to pack one pair of sandals, these are it.

Scroll on to see J.Lo's Roman vacation look and to shop scarf dresses and metallic sandals for your own adventures this season.

Jennifer Lopez Wearing the Dress Trend + Sandal-Color Trend

Shop Scarf Dresses

Shop Metallic Sandals

Of course, there's still plenty of summer left, but I wouldn't be much of a fashion editor if my mind wasn't already thinking about next season. Whilst linen dresses dominated my wardrobe throughout June and July, I'm now craving something a little sleeker. So when Kaia Gerber stepped out this week in a glossy satin dress, I immediately set about finding elevated alternatives to recreate her polished look. With a glossy sheen and fluid drape, the satin dress brings the refined energy that early-autumn styling calls for.

As we sit on the cusp of a new season, the weather still calls for breezy, lightweight pieces, yet our wardrobes begin to lean towards richer textures and sophisticated silhouettes, this elegant dress trend plugs both gaps. Whilst Kaia styled hers with sleek closed-toe mules and oversized sunglasses for an elegant summer look, come September and beyond, swap in knee-high boots and a structured tote and the same dress will carry you through autumn with ease.

One of the smartest additions you can make to your wardrobe right now, scroll on to shop my edit of the best satin dresses to wear from now until November.

Shop Satin Dresses:

I'll be the first to admit that I have high standards when it comes to black-tie wedding guest dresses. The dress code calls for something elevated, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice personality—especially during the summer months, when I'm all about color.

After years of covering fashion and attending my fair share of events, I've learned that the best wedding guest dresses strike a very specific balance: They should be special enough for the occasion while still feeling like you. I've seen so many people choose a dress that falls flat just to feel like they're fitting into the dress code. Good news is that ends today with this edit.

Whether you're headed to a destination wedding, a garden celebration, or a formal evening affair, these are the summer black-tie wedding guest dresses I'd happily recommend. Each one passes my test.

Every summer, without fail, a handful of dress brands emerge as the ones fashion people rely on for elegant, expensive-looking styles, and Nobody's Child is always high on that list. The London label has quietly built a reputation for creating dresses that feel far more premium than their price tags suggest, earning a loyal following among editors, influencers and celebrities alike.

From Sienna Miller to Poppy Delevingne, stylish women continue to turn to the brand for its romantic details, flattering silhouettes and timeless designs that never feel overworked. Whether it's delicate ruching, softly draped fabrics or classic prints, Nobody's Child has mastered the art of creating dresses that feel polished enough for special occasions yet effortless enough to wear every day.

This season, it's the brand's bandeau and polka-dot styles that have captured the fashion crowd's attention. From the strapless, polka-dot Alice dress to the elegant black bandeau style worn by Monikh, these are the pieces proving you don't need to spend four figures to achieve a luxury-looking summer wardrobe.

Whether you're searching for a wedding guest dress, something chic for a summer soirée or simply a beautiful dress you'll wear on repeat, below are the Nobody's Child styles that deserve a place on your wish list.

Shop The Best Nobody's Child Dresses

Wedding season is in full swing, which hopefully means you've been showing off your moves on the dance floor. And what better way to demonstrate the full range of your "Twist and Shout" abilities than with a dress featuring cascading ruffles that flutter with each step?

Camila Morrone just demonstrated the exact vibes we're going for in a recent Instagram post featuring photos from a friend's romantic nuptials in Tuscany. Clad in a gorgeous blush-pink gown by Dôen, the actress playfully captioned her photo dump from the event with a glass of red wine and the lady-in-red emoji—which, honestly, is always the goal.

Whether or not your calendar is full of summer weddings, this fun and flirty wedding guest–worthy dress trend is one to embrace. Keep scrolling to see how Morrone styled the look in Italy. Then shop her exact dress plus several other elegant designs of various colors, lengths, and silhouettes.

On Camila Morrone: Dôen Antoinette Anniversary Dress ($2998)

Shop Camila Morrone's Exact Dress in Two Colorways

Shop More Wedding Guest Dresses With Cascading Ruffles

If you're the type of dresser who likes to make a dramatic entrance, then pull up a seat. It's time to take a style lesson from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

The supermodel made a serious fashion statement in London while wearing a pristine white gown by Tom Ford. With a turn to the left, Huntington-Whiteley's deceptively simple column dress solidified the season's most daring silhouette: the strategic side-boob cutout.

While we're fully in support of wearing white year-round (it's basically a requirement after Memorial Day), this breezy, bridal-adjacent vibe is going to be making waves from the Hamptons to Hawaii. Huntington-Whiteley styled the dress—which balances a sleek, covered-up neckline with unexpected open sides and a dramatic slit—with an array of Tiffany & Co. jewelry and gentle mermaid waves.

If you're a 2026 bride, congrats! But you absolutely do not need to have an engagement ring to pull off this trend. Whether you're heading to a chic cocktail party, hosting a summer soirée, or want to feel like a supermodel on a Tuesday night, this sleek side-boob look is the ultimate inspo.

Keep scrolling to shop her exact Tom Ford dress, plus several more affordable options that will make you the toast of the evening, even if you're not the one tossing the bouquet.

On Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: Tom Ford dress; Victoria Beckham shoes; Tiffany & Co. jewelry

Shop Side-Boob Dresses

Now that the scorching heatwave has quelled into something more tranquil, I’m finally looking to build out my repertoire of elegant summer dresses. Though you’d think the last few weeks have been the perfect opportunity to invest in this category, when faced with scorching temperatures, the last thing I’ve been contemplating is whether a piece is worth the investment.

Since things have settled down a bit climate-wise, I’m ready to take this pursuit seriously, turning my attention to the dreamy cuts and balmy silhouettes I can slip into all season long. Naturally, my interest was piqued when I stumbled upon this M&S polka-dot slip dress.

At under £50, it incorporates some of the biggest trends of the moment, from the spotted print to the boudoir-approved shape and lace-trim detail. However, when I discovered that over 5000 people were also searching for the style, I knew I had to act quickly to make it mine. You see, M&S is the place I turn to most to stock up on the essentials, whether a crisp white T-shirt or a pair of functional ballet flats. (And that’s not even mentioning the pantry essentials and homewares I buy from there, too.) The price points are incredibly appealing, but I never feel like I sacrifice quality or design. This is exactly how I felt slipping into this delicate mini.

The construction of the garment is far more luxurious than the cost would suggest. Made of a sheer fabric that’s cut to create a handkerchief effect along the hemline, it’s finished with tight stitching and slip underlay that provides plenty of coverage, whilst still feeling feminine and flirty. It’s also true to size, though I will caveat that there are plenty of sizes and lengths to choose from, meaning it’s also one of the more inclusive pieces on the market. For context, I’m typically a size medium in dresses, and I took the size UK 10 in the regular cut.

What I love most about it, though, is that despite how detailed and romantic it looks, it’s actually quite a versatile piece. The polka dots and lace trim do a lot of the heavy lifting for me in ensuring I look put-together, so I simply have to throw on a pair of kitten-heel flip-flops and let my hair down for a more soiree setting or team it with minimal sandals for daytime activities.

Still, as these design motifs are quite timeless, I don't doubt that I’ll be reaching for them when we're far into September and picking them up again when we head back into spring. Elegant, effortless and easy to style, scroll on to shop the dress for yourself, plus see the other pretty M&S summer dresses that earned my attention, too.

Shop the Viral M&S Polka-Dot Lace-Trim Slip Dress

Shop More M&S Summer Dresses

Not polka dots, not stripes—this summer's chicest print trend is probably already hanging in your wardrobe. Timeless, elegant and feminine, floral cotton dresses are back at the forefront for the season, and Bella Hadid is leading the charge.

Spotted wearing the pretty print not once but twice, Bella eschewed the sporty aesthetic that's steadily gathered momentum this season, instead leaning into a classic print that always feels apt when the weather warms.

Whilst floral dresses return every spring and summer, this year's offerings feel especially irresistible. With Dôen leading the way with its signature romantic cotton styles, and high-street favourites including Marks & Spencer, Zara and H&M embracing the trend too, there are elegant options at every price point.

Pretty without feeling overly precious, and effortless enough to wear from now through early autumn, a floral dress is a timeless investment you'll reach for year after year. Scroll on to shop my edit of the best floral-print dresses to buy now.

Shop Cotton Floral Dresses: