SUMMER is nearly upon us which means it’s the season of the summer dress.
There’s nothing quite like a good summery frock to blow the winter cobwebs away, and this season, the SS20 catwalks were awash with bold prints and colours to get you in the mood for sunshine and good times.
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While pub gardens and lazy park days might feel like a long way off right now, there’s nothing better than a summer dress to lift your spirits while the lockdown continues — plus who doesn’t want to be ready to hit the town when all of this is over?
This season's summer dresses have something to suit all tastes and body shapes, whether you prefer boho maxis, utility day dresses or more trend-led pieces.
With that in mind, we’ve hunted down the very best summer dresses for 2020 that are all bang on trend and guaranteed to add some fun to your wardrobe.
Time to meet your new summer heroes…
1. Outerknown's Astrid Dress
- Astrid dress, £177 from Outerknown – buy here
Summer temperatures demand easy-fitting silhouettes that not only keep you feeling cool but look great while they're doing it.
This dress by Outerknown ticks all the boxes with its relaxed fit, while the ruffled sleeve detailing keeps things looking super-cute.
The LA-based brand (co-founded by surfer Kelly Slater) is rooted in sustainable production, too — this irresistible dress is made from 100% organic cotton sourced from a small-scale artisan group in India.
What's not to love?
2. Thought's Miriam Hemp Jersey Spot Print Dress
- Miriam Hemp Jersey Spot Print Dress, £89.95 from Thought – buy here
Polka dots are huge this season, so jump aboard the dot-wagon with this dreamy dress by London-based brand, Thought.
We're loving the hand-painted print which gives this frock bags of charm and character, while the loose, midi silhouette is ideal for staying cool in the heat.
Made from one of the strongest and most durable natural fibres in the world (hemp!), it's guaranteed to last and is a timeless piece that looks great whether worn with trainers or dressed up with sandals and pretty jewellery.
3. Urban Outfitters's San Fran Printed Mesh Mini Dress
- San Fran Printed Mesh Mini Dress, £39 from Urban Outfitters – buy here
Grateful Dead, anyone?
Champions of cool-girl style, Urban Outfitters, have struck gold once again with this striking mini dress that is guaranteed to stand out from the crowd.
Inspired by San Francisco's iconic 60s and 70s music posters, this psychedelic illustrated dress is perfect for rocking out in the garden while you wait for the festivals to start up again.
Team it with a pair of big chunky boots and a warm beer for a suitably authentic experience.
4. New Look's Bright Pink Puff Sleeve Tiered Midi Dress
- Bright Pink Puff Sleeve Tiered Midi Dress, £27.99 from New Look – buy here
Neon is one of the biggest trends this season, with Christopher Kane, Valentino and Moschino all leading the way with an explosion of acid brights at their SS20 presentations.
Tap into the trend with this bold and beautiful New Look midi in hot pink.
We’re loving the puff sleeves and square neckline which bring even more of a directional feel to this look-at-me style.
5. Accessorize's Lace Insert Sleeved Maxi Dress
- Accessorize Lace Insert Sleeved Maxi Dress, £44 from Very – buy here
Floaty, white dresses are a timeless summer staple and this year is no exception.
Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu and Erdem all showed how it’s done, sending broderie anglaise, romantic maxis and lace trim dresses down their runways — all in the lightest and whitest of shades.
This trend is all about channelling your inner ethereal goddess, and we can think of no better way to do that than in this angelic maxi by Accessorize.
The crochet lace inserts and angel sleeves really add to the laidback feel of this frock — buy it now for instant holiday vibes.
6. Kitri's Lenora Pink Lace Midi Dress
- Kitri Lenora pink lace midi dress, £145 from Harvey Nichols – buy here
Kitri is the brainchild of professional ballerina-turned-fashionista Haeni Kim.
It’s no wonder the cult womenswear brand is beloved by the fashion elite and social media influencers alike: just look at this dreamy lace midi!
Team it with espadrilles for the prettiest of summer looks, or wear with flat sandals for a more dressed-down feel.
7. Free People's Getaway Floral Pattern Cotton Midi Dress
- Free People Getaway floral-pattern cotton midi dress, £105 (was £150) from Selfridges – buy here
Did someone say Woodstock?
This floral beauty by Free People summons up the spirit of flower power with its retro floral print and floor-sweeping silhouette.
Laidback and easy-to-wear, this is an essential summer dress you can just throw on and enjoy season after season — plus it's made from airy cotton for the breeziest of fits.
8. Joules’s Riva Sleeveless Stripe Cotton Dress
- Joules Riva Sleeveless Stripe Cotton Dress, £34.95 from John Lewis – buy here
Cotton is the ultimate choice for summer dresses and will keep you feeling cool and crisp when the heat cranks up a notch.
We’re loving the simplicity of this sleeveless dress by Joules, which is given a boost of colour with rainbow-hued nautical stripes.
It's an effortlessly stylish frock that will look great with flip flops, plimsolls or wedges.
9. Oasis’s Popper Utility Dress
- Oasis Popper Utility Dress, £49.00 from John Lewis – buy here
Every summer wardrobe needs a utilitarian-inspired dress for laidback, everyday wear.
This Oasis dress looks perfectly chic in rust orange and is made from a robust cotton with a touch of stretch, making it ultra-comfortable to boot.
When the sun goes down, wear it over a tee or polo neck sweater to nail transitional layering.
10. Reformation’s Violaine Dress
- Violaine Dress, £190 from Reformation – buy here
Time to let your legs out with this super-adorable mini strappy dress from Reformation.
If there’s one thing that screams summer, it surely has to be gingham — and this sweet frock has summer BBQs and picnic baskets written all over it.
Team it with mules for a pretty day look, or layer it over a white tee for a more 90s inspired take.
11. Reformation’s Harleen Dress
- Reformation Harleen Dress, £265 from Reformation – buy here
Peekaboo: here’s another massive trend for SS20 you can cut out and keep… quite literally.
The likes of JW Anderson, Emporio Armani and Gucci sent garments featuring cheeky cut-outs down the runway and this is one trend you can expect to see everywhere this summer.
Reformation do it just perfectly with this midi dress which looks perfectly sweet and demure up front, with a daring open back and sides.
12. Juliet Dunn’s Nomad mirror-work cotton dress
- Juliet Dunn Nomad mirror-work cotton dress, £200 from Matches Fashion – buy here
It's a given that summer dresses involve more skin on display, but that's not to say you can't cover up in style too.
We're in love with this light and airy dress by Juliet Dunn, with floaty sleeves that are super-flattering — ideal if spaghetti straps aren't your thing.
Meanwhile, the mirror-work embroidery is giving us all the bohemian travel vibes we could want right now. If we can't be in Marrakech right now, we'll certainly dress like we are!
Inspired by traditional Indian textiles, this is a summer essential that will always work, no matter the season's trends.
13. Levi's Sienna Dress
- Levi's Sienna Denim Dress, £70 from Anthropologie – buy here
If we’re talking summer dresses, there’s no way we can’t mention the quintessential denim dress.
This is a style staple for achieving an effortlessly laidback summery look and Levi’s is easily the first port of call when shopping denim.
The midi, sleeveless style of the Sienna dress makes it ideal for layering over a tee if you don’t want your arms fully on display, while you can easily transition into autumn by pairing it with a turtleneck. An absolute must-have.
14. Urban Outfitters's Hanna Plaid Mini Dress
- Hanna Plaid Mini Dress, £39 from Urban Outfitters – buy here
If laidback summer dresses are the ones you covet the most, do yourself a favour and head straight to Urban Outfitters online.
Clad in plaid, this tiered mini dress gives off all the cool-girl style credentials you could possibly want and works just as well with a great big pair of chunky boots as it does with a pair of pretty sandals.
This is one of those frocks you'll love for years and will remain completely timeless, so do snap it up now.
15. Sezane’s Theodora Dress
- Theodora Dress, £120 from Sezane – buy here
This Sezane dress is already a favourite with Mancunian style blogger Megan Ellaby and it's no wonder — the smock design makes this such an easy-wearing style, while the colour is ultra-flattering for all skin tones.
Wear this with layered bracelets and a simple pair of white trainers for effortlessly put-together, everyday summer style.
16. M&S's Polka Dot Midi Slip Dress
- Polka Dot Midi Slip Dress, £22.50 from M&S – buy here
The slip dress is a no-brainer for keeping cool as temperatures soar, and creates a really chic minimalist look when paired with simple accessories.
This spotty style from M&S is perfect for nailing the polka dot trend and features a tiered hemline and strappy design for an ultra-airy and breezy feel.
Team it with a denim jacket and sandals — like M&S have — for an instantly stylish everyday ensemble.
17. Needle & Thread's Chakra Ruffle Sun Dress
- Chakra Ruffle Sun Dress, £285 from Needle & Thread – buy here
There’s no denying it: this Needle & Thread maxi is sunshine and fun on a stick!
We’re head-over-heels for this gorgeous ruffle tiered maxi in rainbow hues, which is perfect for making a full-on fashion statement this summer.
In keeping with the brand’s conscious living movement, the dress is crafted from 100% recycled tulle and crepe de chine — so you can swish and sway to your heart’s content, knowing you’re doing your bit for sustainability.
18. Oasis’s Curve Leaf Print Dress
- Curve Leaf Print Dress, £56 from Oasis – buy here
This floral dress from Oasis fits just as a dress should: in at the waist, out at the hips and gently skimming over curves to create the most form-flattering shape.
Plus, that leaf and bird print is giving us all the tropical vibes we need: what’s not to love?
A versatile dress that works perfectly from day to night with just a simple change of accessories.
Enjoyed our guide for the best dresses for summer? Why not check out the best way to wear polka dots?
We've also rounded up the best loungewear of 2020.
And check out more from Sun Selects fashion here.
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