I have many, many dresses in my wardrobe. Some are short-sleeved; some are long. Some are printed; others are colour-block. But even the most dedicated collector can have gaps in their collection, and admittedly, there's one specific style I've been guilty of neglecting maxi dresses.
I put this down to my 5'3" frame and the lack of spare time to get to the tailor, but I've always found shopping for maxi dresses somewhat of a chore. As such, I tend to stick to midis and minis, which require zero alterations. Lately, however, the plethora of pretty maxi dresses my favourite influencers have been wearing to usher in the summer months have been getting my attention.
It's easy to see the sudden appeal of a maxi dress. For the most part, they keep you covered, which is ideal for the changeable weather we're currently experiencing. Still, the attraction goes way beyond practicality—there's something downright fabulous about wearing a maxi dress. My guess is all the swooshing potential. After a couple of years spent dressing for comfort and very little else, I'm all for wanting to feel fancy in my clothes again.
So I set out to find the best summer maxi dresses out there for every style and budget. Below, you'll find the fruits of my labour—29 maxi dresses so beautiful you'll be tempted to burn your joggers. Scroll below to see them, and I guarantee you'll fall back in love with dresses again.
SHOP THE BEST SUMMER MAXI DRESSES
Let’s kick things off with a classic puff sleeve; I particularly like the bold floral print on this option.
This would make for a beautiful, throw-on-and-go weekend look.
So sleek, and not to mention, frugal.
Hello, holidays.
This will wear just as well with a leather biker and trainers as it will SPF and sandals.
I'll admit it, I clearly have a thing for spaghetti straps.
Further proof that florals are always a solid dress investment.
I would expect no less than this perfection from COS Atelier.
A bandeau fit in statement green? This dress is atop all of the trends.
Another wedding guest dress so good, it might just upstage the bride.
I can't quite believe how this looks, and at this price tag.
Stripes are high up on the style agenda this season.
Agua by Agua Bendita are responsible for some of the dreamiest summer dress of recent years.
The colour!
Easy, knit dresses don’t get more stunning than this.
A fun take on colour clashing.
This comes in blue, black, green, red and deep purple, so you're spoiled for choice.
This makes me want to book a beach holiday pronto.
And if you thought that was good, this comes in no less than 17 different colourways.
The ruffles, the sleeves, the gathered skirt—this dress is showstopping.
Have your own Pretty Woman moment in this brown-and-beige spotty moment.
Style this adorable dress with chunky Velcro sandals and a raffia tote, and wear on repeat.
I'm all about the retro feel.
Just add tan sliders and a basket bag.
If anyone had told me that this was designer, I would have believed them.
Raey are really nailing it with its dresses this summer. Just wow.
You need to see this from the back.
Bravo, Reiss.
You simply can't have a "best dresses" round up without mentioning Rixo.
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Kacey Musgraves Just Wore This $185 Dress Onstage With Sabrina CarpenterIt's still in stock.
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Bring On the Compliments—These 32 Mango Dresses Are on Major Sale and Ready to Turn HeadsUnder $50 and dangerously close to selling out.
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Every Celebrity Stylist Is Fighting Over This Dress Right NowIt's easy to see why.
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I Ordered the $145 '90s Minidress That's Viral on TikTok, and Now I'm ObsessedYou'll understand once you buy one.
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Whoa, This Abercrombie Sale Is Full of Incredibly Chic Finds—25 Standouts That Have My AttentionEverything from cool jeans to sleek dresses.
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Gwyneth Paltrow Wore the Easy Dress-and-Shoe Outfit That Says "I Summer in the Hamptons"She understood the assignment.
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H&M Just Released a $40 Version of Fall's Most Dominant Runway TrendDid I mention that it's already on sale? Run.
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My Friend Asked What to Buy From the Shopbop Sale—I Sent These 30 Incredibly Chic PicksBlink, and they'll be gone.
