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Summer dress season is finally in our sights – and by that I mean in the very distant, far-off horizon. Nonetheless, with blue skies and slightly warmer temperatures, it no longer feels an act of insanity to start shopping for carefree, one-and-done dresses to wear during the sunshine months. From mini and maxi to sleeved and strappy, here, we share our favourite summer dresses to invest in now before they sell out.
The perfect summer dress should make you feel RELAXED AND CAREFREE, as if you’re on holiday, even if you’re on your lunch-break. It should be EASY TO WEAR, and require little extra styling bar footwear and your favourites shades (aviators are having a moment right now). The defining trait of fashion’s summer 2026 mood is JOY; when the world goes dark, what we wear often veers towards the sunny – BRIGHT COLOUR, UPLIFTING PRINT AND PLAYFUL EMBELLISHMENT, all of which work well in the summer dress department. Minimalists, there’s plenty out there for you – stick to airy fabrics and loose shapes for instant summer energy.Â
DÔEN remains the holy grail of summer dresses; its feminine, flattering designs have become popular for good reason. Matteau is a go-to for timeless, fuss-free pieces with easy elegance, and I love Ciao Lucia! for vintage-inspired summer hits with just the right amount of 60s’ nostalgia. I’m also very into H&M’s layered look white dress, which has strong SS26 Chanel energy – refined, but low-key – and M&S’ understated, romantic midi, which would work for weddings, holidays and the office.
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Lead image: Posse
Ella Alexander is Citizen Femme’s fashion features editor. She started her career at the Evening Standard, and has since held senior editorial roles at Vogue, The Independent and Harper’s Bazaar, where she remains a contributing editor. She also writes for The Telegraph, Sunday Times Style, Service95 and CNN. She is an author, having co-written Dame Zandra Rhodes’ memoir, Iconic: My Life In Fashion In 50 Objects, published by Transworld in July 2024. Her favourite travel destination is Catania, Sicily’s second city.
