The Prettiest Summer Dresses to Buy Now (2024)

The strappy midis! The floral maxis! The sleeveless cover-ups! Revamping your wardrobe to incorporate the best summer dresses is one of the most exciting parts of warm-weather dressing—and there’s no better time to start clearing some hangers for wardrobe essentials and the most exciting summer fashion trends you’ll wear on repeat in the coming weeks and months.

Peak summer dressing is practically here, with plenty of cute and airy numbers to choose from for your summer vibe shift. Whether you want a slinky slip dress to wear to your stacked calendar of RSVPs, a lightweight shirtdress to make office dressing a breeze, a flowy sundress for traipsing around town, or a crochet coverup you can pack alongside your beach essentials, you’ll find the perfect one here. These are the best summer dresses to shop (and wear everywhere) right now.

The maxidress

Maxidresses for summer are what lug sole boots are for fall: nonnegotiable and a no-brainer for getting through the season in style. Their versatility knows no bounds, either—no matter the neckline or sleeve length, odds are you can tie on a belt, throw on a leather or denim jacket, and style with flats, raffia wedges, or platform sandals. Don't sweat the length if it's a little too long; there's nothing quite like a floor-kissing hem to give you that main-character energy as you look both ways while crossing the street.

The sundress

When you have no idea what else to wear, a trusty sundress will always be there for you. The summertime staple comes in many different forms, but they’re all breezy, lightweight, and cute enough to make you look like you actually thought about your outfit ahead of time. Whether you pair your pick with walking sandals, kitten heels, or summer sneakers, you’ll be ready for even the sunniest, sweatiest days of the season.

The floral-print dress

Whether you like your blooms bold and graphic or prefer a ditsy flower motif, a floral-print dress is a summer MVP. It's one of the few printed styles you can wear on repeat without aching for newness after a handful of wears—helpful too when you're trying to be more thoughtful about the pieces you shop.

The shirtdress

Shirtdresses may already be a summer mainstay; if not, they should be, especially with so many variations available. A loose cotton-poplin or linen style gives coastal-grandma chic, while a ruched or smocked T-shirt dress feels more appropriate for urban adventures. The result is effortless either way.

The midi dress

Love a midi dress? Same. There's little you can do wrong with this piece styling-wise: Pair a stretchy-knit number with comfy walking sandals or a silk slip dress with cowboy boots. Seasonal standouts include Silk Laundry's celeb-loved ’90s style, which will be a hero piece for after-work events, and & Other Stories' oversized shirtdress, which you can let billow as is or give definition with a belt.

The summer wedding guest dress

Whether you're attending a single ceremony or multiple this season, the best summer wedding guest dresses are those you can rewear and restyle for multiple occasions. A few we're loving right now: Reformation's jewel-toned silk halter-neck dress, Mango's figure-hugging maxi with rosette detailing on the shoulder, and Significant Other's mock-neck style, which you can slip into for dinner rehearsals or wear during daytime celebrations.

The beach dress

A casual beach dress can take you from the pool to dinner with absolutely zero effort—perfect for when you’re slightly buzzed and living out of a suitcase on vacation. Prioritize stretchy materials, quick-drying fabrics, and no-closure silhouettes; the vibe is as relaxed as possible. Hop on summer fashion trends with sheer options from H&M and Johnny Was or elevate your beachside style with slightly dressier picks from Staud and Madewell,

The minidress

Mini season got an early start this year, with everyone gravitating to itty-bitty hemlines regardless of what the forecast says. There's no more agreeable time to wear a mini than in summer, though, with some of the best dresses available then (less fabric is also a requisite for sticky days). Below are a few comfy throw-on-and-go styles to add to your summer wardrobe—the only thing missing from your periphery now is sandy shores, a giant coconut, and a fishnet tote with a good book peeking out.