14 Maxi Dresses Fashion People Are Wearing Nonstop This Summer

It's official: I'm a maxi dress convert. After years of being a midi loyalist, with the occasional minidress in the mix, I've decided it's time to expand my horizons (or my hemlines, at least).

I'll admit, Instagram has played a big part in opening my eyes to why maxi dresses are so great. Previously, I dismissed them as frumpy and unflattering, but I've now realised it's all down to the styling. And if anyone knows how to style something in a way that makes it appealing, its fashion influencers. My saved folder speaks for itself—IRL I dress pretty simply, but there's everything from neon orange suiting to low-slung jeans in there. Thanks to these expert dressers, I now recognise the power of the maxi. And just in time for summer. Phew! And, not only are floor-sweeping frocks comfier than their shorter counterparts, but they're also more visually impactful. In other words, you can keep the accessorising to a minimum and let your dress do the talking.

But Instagram hasn't just convinced me to give maxi dresses a go; it's even guided me to exactly which ones I should start with. Keep scrolling to see them in action, then shop our favourites if you too have noticed a maxi dress-shaped hole in your wardrobe. 

1. Matteau Shirred Dress

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(Image credit: @thandimaq)

Style Notes: In a perfect world, I'd wear Matteau's breezy, beachy dresses all summer long. The shirred bodice on Thandi's maxi style is so 2023.

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2. Faithfull The Brand Acacia Dress

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(Image credit: @kimturkington_)

Style Notes: If you love ditsy florals and flattering bias cuts, turn to Faithfull. The Bali-based brand has mastered summer style—this floor-length dress is just one example.

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3. St Agni Vas Dress

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(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Style Notes: This sleek black maxi can easily be carried into autumn once summer comes to an end (but let's not think about that now).

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4. Réalisation Par Gia Dress

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(Image credit: @luciacuesta_)

Style Notes: I've spied this dress on so many influencers I've lost count. While Lucia has styled it with chunky black clogs, I've also seen it paired with strappy sandals and knee-high boots.

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5. Victoria Beckham Ribbed Dress

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(Image credit: @_marisamartins_)

Style Notes: Ribbed dresses aren't reserved for winter, as proven by this strappy Victoria Beckham number. The metallic threading throughout gives it such a luxe feel.

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6. LPA Vittoria Dress

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(Image credit: @javiera)

Style Notes: I'm not usually one for prints, but I can make an exception for the fun motifs on this figure-hugging maxi.

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7. Hill House Catalina Dress

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(Image credit: @oliviamarcus)

Style Notes: The bardot neckline balances out this black floor-length dress nicely—otherwise it might feel too heavy. I'll be styling mine with cream slides, like Olivia.

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8. Vince Satin Dress

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Style Notes: A silk dress works for most occasions. Elevate it with heels and a blazer, or team it with sneakers for a relaxed everyday fit.

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9. Caravana Kikab Dress

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(Image credit: @emmarosestyle)

Style Notes: If you're seeking a dress that's elegant and cool in equal measure, look no further. From the sleeves to the sage green shade, everything about this maxi is perfection.

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10. Free People Dahlia Dress

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(Image credit: @charlottejacklin)

Style Notes: I adore how Charlotte has paired Free People's dreamy Dahlia dress with a basket back and peep-toe sandals. So summery.

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11. The Míe Tarifa Dress

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(Image credit: @claudia_berresford)

Style Notes: The bad news is this siren-red beauty is currently sold out, but the good news is you can join the waitlist with just the click of a button. Each dress is ethically made in Nigeria and guaranteed to be worth the wait.

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12. Joseph Darnley Dress

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(Image credit: @brittanybathgate)

Style Notes: Black might not scream summer, but choose a floaty longline style and you'll be set for a balmy day. This one is just the ticket to an effortless warm-weather look.

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13. Baserange Shaw Dress

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(Image credit: @_jessicaskye)

Style Notes: Baserange dresses get so much hype on Instagram, and for good reason. This particular design is incredibly versatile and can be worn multiple ways.

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14. Roberta Einer Bianca Dress

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(Image credit: @andi_mun)

Style Notes: Wow. Every wardrobe needs a head-turning dress, and this one might just stop passersby in their tracks.

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Next Up, I Searched Through Hundreds of Summer Midi Dresses—These 25 Are the Best

Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer. After receiving an Audrey Hepburn box set for her 10th birthday and subsequently swooning over the actor’s wardrobe, Bébhinn felt pretty confident she wanted a career that involved clothes. She started her first blog at age 14—the title was a pun, but we’ll leave it at that—and went on to intern at print and digital 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 for Who What Wear, 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 updated takes on classic designs. 


While she still loves Audrey Hepburn films, these days, Bébhinn’s sartorial taste sits closer to Annie Hall’s and Alexa Chung’s. In her spare time, she’s likely cooing over cute dogs on rescue websites, playing folk songs on her guitar and browsing bookshops for new additions to her already-overpacked shelves.