The best white dresses to invest in this season

best white dresses
(Image credit: 2020 Edward Berthelot)

It's hard to imagine a more perfect summer staple than the little white dress - well, perhaps a good linen piece. Basically the summer version of its little black dress counterpart, it has become the go-to option, whether you're going to work, jetting off on holiday (oh, to dream), or hosting a socially-distanced BBQ in your back garden.

Designers have embraced the trend for the spring/summer 2020 season, and the catwalk was awash with dreamy cream gowns, from Khaite at New York Fashion Week, to Victoria Beckham at London Fashion Week, LOEWE in Milan and Valentino and Chloe in Paris. Keep scrolling to find out how to wear the white dress trend and where to shop the best white dresses.

White summer dresses

There are so many excellent dress trends this summer, starting with the romantic one that went viral at last September's fashion week. This one is especially distinguishable by its dreamy-ness, often involving puff sleeves, a full skirt, and a pretty embroidered motif or ethereal floaty fabric - those who love this style are also encouraged to embrace the prairie dress.

That doesn't mean there isn't room for minimalism this season, as the 90s slip dress is still going strong, with the subtle update of thicker straps and a square neckline this time round.

White party dresses

Party-perfect white dresses are on the rise, especially for brides looking to carry on with the bridal theme for events surrounding their wedding. There again, there are styles to suit all tastes, from feathers, balloon sleeves and embellishments for the maximalists, to slinky satin and perfect tailoring for the minimalists.

Elegant white dresses

For daytime dressing that is entirely office-appropriate, do consider the humble white shirt dress. Yes, it's not the most exciting option, but contemporary brands such as Bondi Born and Bouguessa are really adding a modern spin on this tailored style. Do also look at white linen dresses, which are great on holiday worn with flat sandals or wedges, or in the city paired with strappy sandals or chunky flip flops.

Shop my edit of the best white dresses below.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.