I Searched Through Hundreds of Summer Midi Dresses—These 25 Are the Best
Thandi wears the Olga midi dress from Rixo.
Once the clouds part and the temperatures rise, it's impossible to resist the pull of the midi dress. No other item is as suitable for sunny days and if you choose the right one (cotton or linen iterations get our vote) it hits the trifecta of being easy, polished and comfortable. Plus, this dress type lends itself well to the summer accessories we get excited about every year. Think rustic basket bags and strappy leather sandals. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that all my seasonal must-haves could fit neatly into one outfit with the midi dress as my base.
Midi dresses come in many forms; you can go all-out with a vibrant floral number, or take things back to basics with a ribbed tank style. If you pay any attention to trends, you're likely already aware of the dresses fashion people are filling their wardrobes with this summer. Hint: shirring and smocking are front-and-centre. As usual, it's the classic silhouettes that have caught our eye, but there's also a healthy dose of bold prints, ruffle detailing and tiered skirts to appeal to the maximalists out there.
Take a look below at the best midi dresses at every price point, whether you're in the mood to splurge or you're looking to try out a trend without breaking the bank.
Like Aniyha, I'm a big fan of a black midi dress in summer.
The Best Midi Dresses Under £75
I rely on chuck-on dresses like this to keep me looking chic with minimal effort.
A dress with a shirred bodice is an instant winner in 2023.
The Best Midi Dresses Under £150
If you're a fan of statement sleeves, don't waste time adding this dress to your basket.
I recently tried this on in-store and the shape is so flattering.
This is one of our editors' all-time favourite high-street dresses.
The Best Midi Dresses Under £250
This doubles up as a skirt. Yes, really—click through the images to see.
Everyone needs a siren-red dress for days when they want to make an impact.
I'm envisioning wearing this as I stroll through the Italian countryside.
This slow fashion label should definitely be on your radar.
The Best Midi Dresses Under £500
Style this blue beauty with tan accessories.
Matteau's 2023 dress selection is better than ever before.
The Best Midi Dresses Under £1000
The ultimate holiday dress. Just add strappy sandals and a raffia bag.
The cut-outs keep this linen design feeling fresh and modern.
Loewe's anagram pieces sell like hotcakes.
That colour! Prepare to have people stopping you on the street to ask you where you got it.
Next Up, 29 Linen Dresses That Will Keep You Looking Chic All Summer
Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 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 to 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 fresh takes on classic design.
In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.
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