I'm obsessed with dresses, and I've cherry-picked 30 of the best options for spring and summer

From mini to maxi and everything in between

Woman in pink cut out mini dress GettyImages-2065944827
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Throughout the spring/summer season, there is simply no better piece of fuss-free clothing than a dress. When wearing a beautiful summer dress, you don’t need to worry about coordinating complicated separates or thinking of an outfit formula. Just throw it on, add a pair of shoes and a handbag - and you’re done!

Plus, the beauty of this classic wardrobe staple is that there is a dress to suit literally every taste. Minimalists will love simple linen or silk maxi iterations, while maximalists can experiment with bold colours and floral prints. 

Best summer dresses for spring/summer 2023

(Image credit: Getty)

When it comes to summer dress trends, this season it's all about embracing colour. As a natural continuation of last year's feel-good mood, we're seeing plenty of colour-blocking, whether that's Pantone's colour of the year, peach fuzz, sunset tangerine shades or even vibrant cobalt blue hues.

We're also seeing a penchant for timeless neutrals, which is perfect if you're into the 'quiet luxury' aesthetic or are after a more understated look. Think jade greens, butter yellows, creams and the palest of beiges.

Length-wise, while midi dresses are still in, hemlines are getting a little longer in a nostalgic nod to the noughties, which means it's the perfect time to invest in a straight-length maxi dress. In terms of prints, a classic floral will never go out of style, yet this season we're seeing more abstract patterns gain prominence, too.

Whatever your fancy, I’ve cherry-picked the best spring and summer dresses from my favourite designers and high street stores so you just know the options below are editor-approved. Without further ado, keep scrolling for the best dresses to shop now. 

The best linen dresses

Linen is one of the most in-demand materials throughout the spring and summer months and for good reason. The fabric is breathable, temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking, meaning it will keep you cool in warm weather. When it comes to linen dresses, there are so many options on offer - we advise opting for a solid colour and classic silhouette, so you can keep the item for years to come. 

The best printed dresses

Investing in a printed dress is the perfect way to add a little fun to your summer wardrobe. And luckily, between Rixo, Kitri and more, there are plenty of UK-based contemporary brands that seriously excel in this area. From large-scale designs to ditsy floral prints, this summer there is no shortage of printed dresses to choose from. 

The best minimalist dresses

For those who like a slightly more pared-back aesthetic, minimalist summer dresses are the way to go. Brands like Tove, Totême and St Agni, are experts in crafting sleek silhouettes that feel contemporary yet timeless. Our tip? Go for a neutral shade of white or beige to ensure the dress stands the test of time. 

The best mini dresses

Summer is certainly a season when hemlines trend to rise, so adding a mini dress to your rotation is always a good idea. We're loving this season's puff sleeve iterations from the likes of Ganni and Faithfull The Brand.  

The best one shoulder dresses

While one shoulder or asymmetric dresses may seem like a relatively simple silhouette there are many different variations making them a great option for all shapes and styles. From minimalist column dresses to form fitting and shirred waist, there's a one shoulder dress for every occasion as this edit proves. 

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.

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