The 12 Best-Selling Dresses That Have Our Seal of Approval This Summer

When building our summer wardrobes, great dresses are always a top priority. There’s just something about slipping on a showstopping yet easy-to-wear style that has the power to make you feel amazing. It's an almost-instant outfit; all you need are a few simple accessories to throw on with it during the summer months, and you’re good to go. And since we’re well and truly heading into those warmer months now (no more snow, please, UK, thank you), we can’t help but start thinking about all the fabulous frocks we’re looking forward to wearing this year. In fact, there are a few styles, in particular, we keep seeing again and again on our social feeds that are currently living in our thoughts rent-free. 

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Of course, there are hundreds of dresses out there to choose from. You can find some of the best throw-on styles, for example, or the best styles under £100. But when it comes to the cream of the crop, there are some brands that just do it better, garnering the attention of influencers and editors alike and, unsurprisingly, making their way onto the 2022 best sellers list before those balmy summer days have even arrived. These are the dresses you’ll find below.

There’s something for every taste and budget in this elite list, from prints to neutrals, throw-on H&M styles to versatile investments. They all have one thing in common, though: They’re a joy to wear. And whether your year ahead is full of weddings or far-off plans or you just need something to see you through the Great British summertime at home, we challenge you to wear any one of these styles and not have a smile on your face. 

So if you’ve been looking to elevate your dress game for 2022 but aren’t sure where to start, or maybe you’re searching hard for that one hero piece you can rely on all season long, keep scrolling to see and shop our 12 top picks from this year’s best-selling styles.

1. Rixo's Benita Tiered Maxi Dress

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(Image credit: @hannahalmassi)

Rixo's new pastel-infused summer drop is nothing short of genius. We've already seen a few influencers in this particular ruffled dress on Instagram, and after our editor in chief, Hannah, tried it on (pictured above) and reported back about how comfy and fabulous it was, we're predicting it will sell out. Lily's dress is also adorable, we think you'll agree.

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2. Arket's Open Back Maxi Dress

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(Image credit: @claudia_berresford)

This dress screams Arket's signature simplicity, but the bright-pink colour makes it feel so fresh and summery. How pretty is that back detailing, too? This would be the perfect wedding guest dress in my opinion. 

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3. Baserange's Shaw Dress

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(Image credit: @_jessicaskye)

We've waxed lyrical about how great this versatile Baserange dress is before, and we're sticking by our word. All those editors and influencers can't be wrong.

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4. Dôen's Kaira Midi Dress

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(Image credit: @styleidealist)

Okay, this was technically one of last year's most popular dresses. But the brand rereleased it this year, and it continues to be a sellout. We're keeping our beady eyes out for another restock any day now, and you'll be the first to know. 

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5. SIR the Label's Willa Dress

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(Image credit: @smythsisters)

We're not surprised this beautiful slip dress is back in stock and back in demand for 2022. We're predicting you'll see so many fashion people in this through the height of summer, and it probably won't be available to buy for long. 

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6. Rixo's Miller Dress

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(Image credit: @sarabrowndesign)

Who What Wear UK editor Emma Spedding and contributor Sara Brown both ended up wearing this gorgeous Rixo striped jumper dress to a press event last week, and doesn't it look amazing on both of them? It's super comfortable and pretty at the same time—a winning combination in our eyes. 

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7. Matteau's Tiered Cotton Maxi Dress

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Monikh has a not-so-hidden talent for pinpointing the best dresses of the season before anyone else, which is exactly what happened when she posted about this Matteau dress recently. And now we, along with everyone else in fashion, want it too. 

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8. Aje's Vanades Linen-Blend Dress

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

This cute pink dress has been cropping up all over the most stylish people's feeds ever since the weather started to warm up, and we're certainly not mad about it. How great would this be for weddings or summer parties?

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9. Taller Marmo's Mrs Ross Dress

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(Image credit: @tallermarmo)

If you're after a showstopping dress you'll turn to forever for all your most glamorous occasions, it has to be a Taller Marmo. We can see from our data it's one of the most popular dress brands with you Who What Wear readers right now, and we can see why. This fringed number seen on Karen Wazen is this year's best seller alongside the now-iconic Ubud feather dress, of course. 

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10. Tove's Freja Dress

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(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

Tove dresses are well-known within the industry for being really special. This stunning draped number looks set to be the favourite of the style set this year already. 

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11. H&M's Puff-Sleeved Dress

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(Image credit: @maxineeggenberger)

This H&M dress may have only just arrived online, but we have it on good authority that it's going to be a huge hit this summer. Already one of the brand's best sellers, its throw-on shape, pretty puff sleeves and price point make it rather irresistible. We'll take it in both colours, thank you. 

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12. COS's Asymmetric-Waist Dress

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(Image credit: @nicoleocran)

Another easy-to-wear high-street winner, COS's pink dress has already proven popular with celebs, editors and influencers alike. It could easily work with strappy-heeled sandals for a wedding but also with trainers for running errands at weekends. 

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Up Next: 6 "Ooh, Where Did You Get That?" Dresses I Just Tried On From H&M

Emily Dawes
Affiliate Editor

Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.

Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.

Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.

When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.

Emily is currently on maternity leave.