36 Perfect Summer Dresses to Bask in Sunny Days

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Photo courtesy of Staud

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As the temperatures continue to heat up and our calendars fill up with vacation plans, alfresco brunches, and a host of weddings, there is no need to get all frazzled over what to wear. With one (or two) of the best summer dresses on hand, every sunny adventure will surely be chic, especially since these one-and-done pieces take a bulk of the guesswork out of styling the perfect outfit.

The Best Summer Dresses Checklist

Start your search for the best options by turning to the brands that do summer best—think of Staud, Cara Cara, Pucci, and Matteau. In their collections, you’ll find all of the gathered details, fanciful florals, and airy poplin that your holiday-ready heart desires. Then, there are options for the bold dressers—Dries Van Noten, Aläia, and Loewe will see that your rotation has plenty of personality. There are styles for the minimalist, of course, from Toteme, Róhe, and Esse Studios—ideal for using as a base foundation for warm-weather accessories.

Any of the best summer dresses has versatility at its core, meaning it will pair well with both the prettiest sandals in your closet and the season’s top-trending sneakers. See for yourself in our edit, below.

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Rabanne

ring-detailed maxi dress

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Massimo Dutti

flowing satin mididress

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Eres

Les Essentiels Oda strapless stretch-jersey maxi dress

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Dôen

Quinley shirred mididress

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Zara

floral print dress

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Toteme

Cocoon draped maxidress

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J.Crew

Halter mixy dress

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Chloé

floral silk minidress

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Loewe

mesh ankle dress

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Uniqlo

cotton gathered dress

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Khaite

Isabella dress

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Erdem

printed cotton midi dress

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Zimmermann

Cascadian stripe cutout asymmetric linen dress

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Cos

pleated fluid maxi dress

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Alaïa

gathered halterneck maxidress

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By Malene Birger

Marciella dress

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Matteau

strapless ruched organic cotton-poplin midi dress

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Róhe

sleeveless silk lace dress

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La DoubleJ

Penelope dress

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Loulou de Saison

Jada gathered knitted maxi dress

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St. Agni

Doily column dress

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Altuzarra

Gwendi dress

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Dries Van Noten

Debano long printed dress

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Toteme

sleeveless cotton midi dress

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Staud

Ari dress

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Dôen

Emmaretta shirred floral-print organic cotton-voile midi dress

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Pucci

printed silk crepe de chine maxi dress

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Proenza Schouler

Tala halter viscose georgette dress

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Esse Studios

Illi scarf-detailed strapless maxi dress

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Zimmermann

Lucky Picnic cutout lace-trimmed printed maxi dress

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Faithfull

Hedy strapless gathered linen and voile maxi dress

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Cara Cara

Torres floral poplin tiered strapless midi dress

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Ulla Johnson

Kasia sleeveless floral silk midi dress

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Brandon Maxwell

The Josie shirred striped cotton midi dress

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Banana Republic

cotton poplin side cut-out midi dress

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Significant Other

Edith floral maxi dress