If You're Still Looking for the Perfect Midi Dress, We've Just Found 20

Summer is usually synonymous with shorter hemlines, but it appears midi dresses have become a year-round staple. Right now, there are lots of longer-length dresses in lightweight fabrics to be had, all of which boast prints so strong they're too good not to share.

Like clockwork, we're seeing checks make a monumental comeback for the 2019 summer season (think twee gingham in pastel colourways). Similarly, florals are a firm fixture on the sartorial agenda, too, with clashing flower motifs proving to be a key design detail.

If blooms aren't your thing, why not consider polka-dots instead? Stick to monochromatic colour palettes for a classic take, or give your wardrobe retro appeal with a polka-dot tea dress in a bold primary colour.

Finally, we know we don’t need to remind you that animal print is going absolutely nowhere this summer. From tiger to leopard, zebra to snake, it's a menagerie of the most stylish kind.

So if you're ready to embrace bare-leg season, keep scrolling to see and shop our edit of the best printed midi dresses. The only hard part will be narrowing down which ones to buy first…

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CHECKED
(Image credit: @ada_oguntodu)

Nothing says summer quite like picnic-blanket checks. Look for blown-up gingham for a standout look or embrace a colourful version of heritage checks. 

Net-a-Porter

Related: Summer 2019 Fashion Trends: Looks You Need to Know

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FLORAL
(Image credit: @wethepeoplestyle)

Florals will always be a summer style mainstay, but for 2019, they've been given a bit of an overhaul. Clashing fabrics on one garment are now commonplace, as are '60s-style motifs.

Related: I Don't Mean to Brag, But I've Just Found Spring's #1 Dress

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SLIP
(Image credit: @monikh)

Polka dots offer a refined palette, but the playful quality of florals make it the perfect print for the self-confessed style-obsessed. 

Related: If You're a Dress Person, You Have to See These 17 New-In Spring Styles

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ANIMAL
(Image credit: @fashion_panic)

Leopard-print dresses were all the rage in 2018, and now the trend one-upped itself. Along with bright iterations of big cat motifs, we can now choose from everything from snake to zebra.

This article was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Opening Image: @hannamw

Now you've found the perfect summer dress, here are the shoes you need to go with it.

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over twelve years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories, and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, works closely with influencer talent on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media. Previously, Maxine appeared on TV in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o. 


Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship, she was offered a position on the Look magazine fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. She went on to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine works remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh.