I Like My Casual Dresses With an Elegant Twist—23 I'm Considering Right Now

From the high street to high end, we've tracked down the very best everyday dresses to see you through the rest of summer, and many more to come.

Woman wears black dress and black sandals; woman wears red dress and loafers; woman wears white dress and black sandals
(Image credit: @marina_torres @oliviamarcus @symphonyofsilk)
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The word "stalwart" is a funny one. It certainly doesn't sound glamorous, but by definition, it's an absolute hero—something that is loyal, reliable and hardworking. It can be a wardrobe hero, too—in the context of dresses, that is. With summer finally arriving, many of us will be turning back to dresses as a key part of our wardrobes. But you might find that your selection is filled with occasion styles or dressier silhouettes that aren't quite what a relaxed summer's day calls for. Thankfully, we know all about brilliant frocks and have done the hard part of searching for the best casual dresses around to make warm-weather dressing even easier.

@oliviamarcus wearing a red dress and loafers

(Image credit: @oliviamarcus)

Like any fashion piece, when it comes to dresses there's an array of different styles to choose from. There's form-hugging silhouettes, draping, cut-outs and much more to choose from. When we look to casual styles, these can often feel a little too pared back and slightly underwhelming. Whilst we want a relaxed edge, we still look out for those finer details or cuts that add an elegant edge even for a daytime affair. It takes a keen eye and years of experience to hunt down these everyday gems, but thankfully, we have both.

@symphonyofsilk wearing a white slip dress with sandals

(Image credit: @symphonyofsilk)

That extra shot of refinement can come in many forms. There are the simplest styles, like a tank dress that pulls on the refinement of a tank top with the drama of an a-line skirt. Shirring and ruching is the pretty touch that can take a classic frock to new fashion heights with a pretty twist. With the warm weather approaching, linen fabrics are not only ideal for keeping cool but also fit the part due to an innate relaxed feel thanks to their natural crinkle. One dress that truly does it all is the slip dress, able to be dressed up or down for various occasions with ease. With these as key features for the perfect casual-yet-elegant balance, we've curated a sleek edit of the very best daytime dresses around all in one place. Enjoy!

Keep scrolling to explore the best casual dresses for summer 2025.

black dress

(Image credit: marina_torres)

SHOP THE BEST HIGH-STREET CASUAL DRESSES:

SHOP THE BEST MID-RANGE CASUAL DRESSES:

SHOP THE BEST DESIGNER CASUAL DRESSES:

This piece was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Jess Kelham-Hohler
Freelance Fashion Editor

Jess Kelham-Hohler is a freelance writer, editor and content strategist. She has been a contributor forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK since 2023. Currently based in London following six years in Washington D.C. and New York, she was previously the Digital Editor for Soho House Co, an international group of private members’ clubs for creatives. She has interviewed a range of artists, creators and more, including Alighieri founder Rosh Mahtani, photographer Misan Harriman and fashion editor Lindsay Peoples Wagner. Today, she writes primarily about fashion, travel and culture for various publications, and has worked as a copywriter and content strategist for brands such as Belstaff, Olivela and Equinox.

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