Every summer has that dress. The one that once you've clocked it, you begin to see it everywhere and your desire to own it grows stronger each time. Slipping into your feeds on the daily and no doubt worn by your favourite influencer, you then see your most stylish friend wearing it, and before you know it, you're making it yours. 2025's hottest ticket? It's the Citara dress by Faithfull.
With its soft drop waist, barely-there straps and a simple stripe print that toes the line between classic and coastal, the Citara hits every note we're tuned into right now. Butter yellow? Tick. Powder blue? Tick. Chocolate brown? Tick. Minimalist silhouette? Tick. Something that looks expensive but doesn’t scream for attention? Tick, tick and tick. I spotted it on Instagram before realising I'd already seen a few people I know quietly wearing it on repeat.
Our SEO writer and in-house authority on chic Australian brands, Ava Gilchrist, firmly co-signs this throw-on summer dress. "As an Australian, I always begin my summer-wardrobe shopping with homegrown labels," she says. "This dress from Faithfull immediately caught my eye. I loved the simplicity of the contrasting stripes with the elegance of the drop waist and open back. It's one of those pieces you don't have to think about styling—just throw it on, grab your favourite sandals, and you've got an effortlessly elevated silhouette in under five minutes."
This is the kind of hard-working dress that makes all the effort for you. It walks that fine line between brunch (wear it with pared-back trainers and an oversized jacket) and sunset drinks (elevated flip-flops and a cord pendant necklace), earning you tonnes of compliments wherever you take it.
It also feels like a bit of a fashion-insider secret, spotted on people who really know what they're doing when it comes to getting dressed in 28°C heat. And yes, you could totally wear it with trainers and a trench on those unpredictable UK summer days, too. The only question that remains is which colour to choose.
Shop Faithfull's Citara Dress:
Ava has this colourway and loves it.
This would be perfect for a summer beach dinner.
More stripes.
I didn't think yellow could look this good.
The one-shoulder version is my personal favourite.
Shop More Faithfull Dresses:
The Esenia is very similar, but with a more covered square back.
It seems the drop waist trend is very much alive at Faithfull.
Just add a basket bag.
Linen minidresses are one of the season's biggest dress trends.
Such an unusual colour combination, but one I love.
Butter yellow is going strong this season.
The Citara comes in many lengths, including this mini.
Shirred dresses are a no-brainer for summer.
As a modest dresser, this would be perfect with a little layering.
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