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The Very Best Summer Dresses Of 2023

From breezy holiday hits to the perfect pub-garden look, we know just the thing

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The best summer dresses are the ones that can be wheeled out time and time again, fit you comfortably enough that you're happy in them from dawn 'til dusk (hello, hot-weather weddings), can go from day to night with a switch of footwear and, in the best case scenario, don't need ironing between wears.

Whether you're after a wedding guest dress or something to see you through the summer festivals, we've found such a winning bunch of summer dresses that the perfect style is surely just a scroll and a click away.

If you're stuck for which fabrics to wear in the heat, play it safe with a cotton or linen dress to keep you cool whatever you get up to. And if you thought it was too late in the season to invest in a hot-weather piece, think again: many of our favourites can be paired with a lightweight jacket and boots, should you want to take them through to the autumn.

So whether it's a maxi, mini or midi dress with strappy, puff or three-quarter-length sleeves, there's definitely a summer dress for you here. Here, see the ELLE editors' shortlist of the very best summer dresses for 2023.

1

Arket Wide Cotton Dress

Wide Cotton Dress
1

Arket Wide Cotton Dress

£89 at Arket

For The Row lovers in a cost of living crisis out there, may we suggest this voluminous Arket maxi dress? It comes in the season's star shade of green, too.

2

Loewe Anagram Embroidered Cotton-Jersey Dress

Anagram Embroidered Cotton-Jersey Dress
2

Loewe Anagram Embroidered Cotton-Jersey Dress

Loewe's logo tank has become a cornerstone of so many enviable wardrobes, and now there's a calf-skimming dress iteration to add to your wishlist. Not just a casual contender, it'll work for smarter events with heels and gold jewellery.

3

Cos Open-Back Tiered Dress

Open-Back Tiered Dress
3

Cos Open-Back Tiered Dress

Now 60% Off

Cut-outs might be everywhere at the moment, but they don't always rank high when it comes to practicality. Trust Cos to come up with a winning way to wear the look: this crisp white cotton dress is sliced strategically at the back of the waist: a flattering move on every figure (and you can still wear a bra).

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4

Rixo Strappy Midi Dress

Strappy Midi Dress
4

Rixo Strappy Midi Dress

This vintage-style slip dress from Abisola Omole's collection for Rixo will see you through so many ocasions.

5

Aje Wattle Ruched Cotton Dress

Wattle Ruched Cotton Dress
5

Aje Wattle Ruched Cotton Dress

Carefully controlled volume is Aje's signature, and the Wattle dress is the perfect way to invest. The off-the-shoulder silhouette is a summer classic, but the neat ruching will make it work beyond those two weeks in Greece.

6

Reformation Evianna Linen Dress

Evianna Linen Dress
6

Reformation Evianna Linen Dress

If 'Cottagecore' were a dress, then Reformation's puff-sleeved gingham mini is it.

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7

Mango Cotton dress with side ties

Cotton dress with side ties
7

Mango Cotton dress with side ties

Indulge in the Barbiecore mania with Mango's bubble-gum pink cotton dress.

8

SIR Embellished Cut-Out Cotton Maxi Dress

Embellished Cut-Out Cotton Maxi Dress
8

SIR Embellished Cut-Out Cotton Maxi Dress

Another great way to play conceal and reveal, Sir's flowy maxi will work for both beach days and summer weddings.

9

Ganni Cotton Poplin Mini Dress

Cotton Poplin Mini Dress
9

Ganni Cotton Poplin Mini Dress

A total Ganni classic, this crisp white cotton dress works with trainers, sandals and heels.

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10

Mango Open-Back Satin-Effect Dress

Open-Back Satin-Effect Dress
10

Mango Open-Back Satin-Effect Dress

Black satin is the chicest summer move: team this asymmetric-strap dress with major sunglasses and flats, and see what we mean.

11

Benjamin Fox X Rachel Bakewell Dress

X Rachel Bakewell Dress
11

Benjamin Fox X Rachel Bakewell Dress

If you're looking to channel Jane Birkin this summer, Rachel Bakewell and Benjamin Fox's collaborative cotton mini dress seems like a good starting point.

12

Ottolinger Green Maxi Dress

Green Maxi Dress
12

Ottolinger Green Maxi Dress

Now 66% Off

Ottolinger's asymmetric shoulder straps will see you from summer festivals to weekends in the city.

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13

Zara Poplin Dress

Poplin Dress
13

Zara Poplin Dress

The ruched waist and slender double shoulder straps make this Zara dress look so much more expensive than it is.

14

Faithfull The Brand X Monikh Amorosa Organic Cotton Dress

X Monikh Amorosa Organic Cotton Dress
14

Faithfull The Brand X Monikh Amorosa Organic Cotton Dress

Straight from Monikh Dale's Faithfull The Brand collection, this asymmetric dress is a holiday staple.

15

Mango Polka-Dot Ruffled Dress

Polka-Dot Ruffled Dress
15

Mango Polka-Dot Ruffled Dress

Here it is: the high-street wedding-guest dress of the year.

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16

Warehouse Embroidery Midi Dress

Embroidery Midi Dress
16

Warehouse Embroidery Midi Dress

Now 80% Off

Embroidered with ditzy florals, this white satin dress could almost be vintage.

17

Gimaguas Marsa Dress

Marsa Dress
17

Gimaguas Marsa Dress

Now 59% Off

Spanish label Gimaguas is bringing soft sensuality to beachwear. This tactile cream dress will work perfectly for holiday sundowners.

18

Ulla Johnson Alessa Printed Cotton Midi Dress

Alessa Printed Cotton Midi Dress
18

Ulla Johnson Alessa Printed Cotton Midi Dress

Now 50% Off

Make a daytime statement with this billowy sleeved floral summer dress.

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19

Prada Logo Cotton Jersey Maxi Dress

Logo Cotton Jersey Maxi Dress
19

Prada Logo Cotton Jersey Maxi Dress

Is this white column tank dress from Prada the ultimate summer dress for 2023? It could be..

20

Cos Sleeveless Cut-Out Maxi Dress

Sleeveless Cut-Out Maxi Dress
20

Cos Sleeveless Cut-Out Maxi Dress

Now 50% Off

Cos is serving up the best cutaway dresses this season. In a perky grass-green hue, this one makes an instant statement.

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