The 12 Dresses That Have Our Seal of Approval This Summer

When it comes to summer purchases, pretty dresses rank high on our wish list. There's just something about slipping into a frock that makes you feel instantly fabulous. Incredibly easy to style (all you need is a couple of key accessories or, for days spent indoors, your slippers), a dress always makes for a foolproof outfit solution. Now that temperatures are peaking, even those who remain faithful to their loungewear sets can't resist switching up their daily wares to include a dress or two. As it happens, there is a handful that we keep seeing over and over again on social media.

While there are plenty of options out there to choose from, there are a few trending dresses we and our fashion friends are especially into this season, all of which you'll find below.

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627410314685-main

(Image credit: @francescasaffari)

They all look different at first glance, but there are some commonalities among this selection. First and foremost, they're all comfortable. Whether it's A-line skirts or knitted textures, every dress on our list is a pleasure to wear—and not just aesthetically. These are dresses you could throw on to go for your daily walk, picnicking in the park, working from home, or napping on the sofa. Many bright hues and playful prints are coming through, too, which fulfil our need to dress more joyfully this season.

From the latest offering from cult brand Sleeper to an update on Tove's best seller as well as a frock from the under-the-radar label fashion editors love, below are the trending dresses set to define your summer style.

1. NEVER FULLY DRESSED'S SUMMER SWIRL DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627404637937-image

(Image credit: @laurennicolefk)

Style Notes: Never Fully Dressed's dresses have been all over Instagram lately; though, it's Lauren-Nicole's swirl-print minidress that really caught our eye. 

Shop the dress:

2. SERAPHINA'S FIORE DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627409469046-image

(Image credit: @heartzeena)

Style Notes: Seraphina is a brand that's under the radar, but it won't be for long, especially if it keeps creating dresses as beautiful as Zeena's. 

Shop the dress:

3. WAREHOUSE'S BACKLESS GINGHAM DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627404641178-image

(Image credit: @francescasaffari)

Style Notes: This Warehouse dress keeps cropping up on our feeds; we're in love with how Francesca has styled it with her Loewe basket bag and chunky ecru sandals. 

Shop the dress:

4. RIXO'S PEPPER DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627404642718-image

(Image credit: @joannalari)

Style Notes: Every season, Rixo serves up dresses that are just waiting to be given cult status. This summer, it's all about the brand's mermaid motif, which we think looks so striking on this tomato-red midi. 

Shop the dress:

5. H&M'S BACKLESS DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627404639337-image

(Image credit: @chloepierreldn)

Style Notes: H&M's backless ruched dress has sold out more times than we can count. There are a few sizes currently in stock, but we recommend keeping an eye out for returns in the others. 

Shop the dress:

6. KITRI'S MARGOT DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627404640255-image

(Image credit: @hannahalmassi)

Style Notes: Our EIC Hannah knows good dresses, so if she's given this Kitri midi her seal of approval, you can guarantee it's going to sell out. Don't miss it—you'll regret it. 

Shop the dress:

7. MANGO'S TIGER SHIRT DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627404641764-image

(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Style Notes: Mango has been serving up some impressive dresses of late, and this tiger-print shirt dress is no exception. 

Shop the dress:

8. TOVE'S PHOEBE DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1616062351980-image

(Image credit: @chrissyford)

Style Notes: Tove's dresses were a huge hit last summer, and their appeal is going nowhere for 2021. The cerise shade of this style is beyond beautiful. 

Shop the dress:

9. SÉZANE'S ESTELLE DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627404643638-image

(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: Monikh has been showcasing a plethora of chic maternity looks of late, but you don't need a bump to replicate this look, as her gorgeous dress is new at Sézane. 

Shop the dress:

10. SLEEPER'S BELLE DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627408794193-image

(Image credit: @theindiaedit)

Style Notes: Sleeper's dresses have been going strong for a couple of years, and this summer, the brand has given us a new style to covet—the Belle. 

Shop the dress:

11. WITH JÉAN'S LÉNA DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1616062349422-image

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Style Notes: Yes, even minidresses have been given a comfortable spin in thin-knit textures. This With Jéan dress is proving so popular with the social media set right now that we doubt it'll be around for long. 

Shop the dress:

12. SIR THE LABEL'S ALENA DRESS

trending-dresses-2021-292227-1627408795336-image

(Image credit: @smythsisters)

Style Notes: If summer 2021 could be defined by one brand, it would absolutely be SIR the Label. The line has given us linen hit after hit, but this bandeau dress feels even more special than the others. 

Shop the dress:

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated. Next Up: I Swear This Summer Trend Just Keeps Getting Better and Better

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.