23 Throw-On Summer Dresses That Still Feel Really Polished

Every year, there comes a point when I make the switch from my usual uniform (jeans and a simple top, probably striped) to donning dresses everyday. It usually happens somewhere between mid-May and June, and it's prompted by the first signs of warmer weather. After several weeks of blue(r) skies and milder temperatures, I feel safe in making the transition now. After all, when we find ourselves in 20-degree climes, there's no comfier item to float around in than a lightweight cotton dress.
To be more specific, cotton poplin is the fabrication I'll be stocking up on for the coming months. It's crisper and softer than its sister fabrics, and it's naturally wrinkle-resistant. You'll be grateful for this fact when you stuff your holiday dresses unceremoniously into your suitcase, only to discover there's no iron in your hotel room. We've all been there.
The good news is that the closer we get to summer, the more poplin dresses are populating new-in categories. The bad news, if you're impatient like me, is this means sifting through hundreds of styles in search of the perfect dress (or two, or five). But don't worry—I've taken one for the team and done the wading for you. Keep scrolling to see and shop the best poplin dresses for the season ahead.
Shop the Best Poplin Dresses for Summer 2025:
Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed Confused and Indie magazine.
A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.
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