Girls just wanna have sun—preferably in an array of impossibly chic summer dresses for women crafted from light-as-air fabrics. When the weather is too scorching for you to be bothered by endless layers, you’ll want to turn to this tried-and-true staple.
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And we aren’t just talking about summer floral outfits either. Think luxe lace numbers that can pass muster as a formal gala. Comfort-first kaftans for sipping mocktails in a cabana. Voluminous maxi dresses for upping your airport style cred. Feminine numbers that will transport you into a modern-day Bridgerton fantasy. Who wants in?
Ahead, we round up all the irresistible silhouettes and styling options that will tempt you into saying “aloha, summer” all year long.
On the moodboard: Celebrity inspiration for styling summer dresses for women
- On days when you are looking to take the guesswork out of putting together a failsafe look, it helps to take notes from the most stylish names in the biz.
- Looking for the perfect white summer dress? Dorra Zarrouk will do you one better with a double-breasted number detailed with an oversized bow. Yasmine Sabri, meanwhile, is leaning into the charms of an eyelet number.
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- Florals can, of course, never be too far. Nancy Ajram makes a strong case for adding a floaty, floral summer dress to your lineup.
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- Perhaps you’d like to break free from the usual suspects? Tara Emad’s starfish motifs will be topping everyone’s list of women’s dresses for summer weddings.
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- Business during the day, party later? Rym Saidi believes there’s no going wrong with the slightest shimmer of metallics.
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- Those looking for a modest take on this trend will want to bookmark a full-sleeved silhouette like Mona Zaki or opt for light layering like Rawdah.
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How do I find the perfect summer dress for women?
- The quest for the perfect dress starts by considering summer fabrics. Linen, cotton, lightweight chambray: yes, yes and yes.
- Next, you will want to consider the silhouette. Flirty hemlines are the order of the day to help you stay cool while the mercury inches higher. Some peekaboo cutouts won’t go amiss either.
- Finally, you’ll want to take note of the colors. Punchy hues and summery brights are always welcome. Interestingly, cottony whites also serve as an ever-lasting staple for the season.
How to accessorize a cotton dress?
- The styling possibilities are endless for cotton summer dresses with short sleeves.
- Confused with all the options? Start with the basics and then build your way up from there. Sunnies? Check. An oversized sun hat? Check. And have you bookmarked some belts for summer dresses yet?
- Once you have a roster of basics to rely on, you’ll want to consider jewelry ideas for your favorite summer dresses.
- Beaded bracelets and shell necklaces are going nowhere as our fascination with summer camp jewelry continues to reign strong.
- You will also want to keep some classics at hand: stud earrings, chunky hoops, stackable bracelets and a cocktail ring or two.
Buy now: Roxanne Assoulin New Patchwork Set of 12 Beaded Bracelets
Which type of footwear is best in summer?
- All sorted with summer dress accessories? It is time to round out your outfit with the perfect footwear.
- Needless to say, a pared-back approach to footwear is recommended. Think peep-toe sandals and strappy numbers.
- If you’d like to stand tall in a crowd, there’s no going wrong with wedge sandals. Look to metallic leather numbers as the perfect way to elevate casual summer dresses for women.
Buy now: Aquazzura Wow 95 Metallic Leather Wedge Sandals
Summer collections to bookmark for the season
If you are ready to put all your newfound summer styling lessons to work, there’s an exciting roster of seasonal collections to browse through and style in innovative new ways. Here are the new launches that deserve a spot on your radar:
For spring/summer ‘24, the Dubai-based Lebanese designer is betting big on shimmery metallics and vibrant prints.
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Buy now: This metallic halterneck dress can be easily dressed up or down as the occasion requires—be your own Picasso. 
The designer’s Ramadan ‘24 collection also offers up timeless staples for the summer with easy and oh-so-breezy fabrics.
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Buy now: The V-neck kaftan with new bead lace makes the cut for summer formal dresses for women.
Reemami
Life is a printed playground for Dubai-based Palestinian designer Reema Al Banna and her penchant for whimsical colors, patterns and hues shows no signs of slowing for the new season, as witnessed in her lineup of summer dresses for women.
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Buy now: Consider the fruity hues of the Palestine-inspired orange pixels dress as your reminder to never grow up.
Serrb
For the new season, this Emirati brand is leaning into delicate romanticism with oversized bows. Ready for your modern-day fairytale?
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Buy now: This strappy mermaid-style dress is all you need to live out your own Bridgerton romance.
Earthy camel hues strike a melodious match with dusky blues and blush pinks in summery motifs painted by Dubai-based designer Faiza Bouguessa.
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Buy now: Look to the Rafael printed kaftan to take you from mani-pedi with the girls to a leisurely brunch by the marina.
How to wear frocks in summer: All the exciting ways to wear this sartorial staple
The hero piece: Summer kaftans
- We know, we know: you’ve heard endless virtues about the kaftan as your summer wardrobe hero.
- But while this leisurely silhouette is ideal for lounging by the waves, you won’t want to sleeve on its potential for formal events either.
- To elevate this pared-back staple, opt for striking hues and saturated jewel tones. An asymmetrical silhouette can help keep monotony at bay.
The style guide:
- When you are working with bold colors and standout prints, you’ll find that you don’t require much by way of accessories.
- Keep things simple by slinging on a knotted handbag and securing your tresses behind in a half-up hairdo.
Buy now: Taller Marmo Taylor Belted One-Shoulder Cady Kaftan 
The hero piece: Mini dress
- Which summer clothes are the best? Ask anybody who has ever wafted through the day in a fuss-free mini dress and you will only get one answer.
- Short summer dresses for women are the quickest route to beating the scorching heat but they can also be a quick way to score some sartorial points.
- Take your pick from a wide array of on-trend colors, patterns and prints. The only rules are that there are no rules.
- Florals are a failsafe for summer and interesting details in the silhouette never go amiss either—think voluminous skirts crafted from breathable linen.
The style guide:
- If you are looking for this silhouette to ferry you from the desk to the dancefloor, you’ll want to opt for comfort-first footwear—there is no going wrong with a classic pair of ballet flats.
- Lean into the summery origins of this wardrobe staple by teaming it with a raffia crossbody bag.
Buy now: Zimmermann Tranquility Open-Back Floral-Print Linen And Silk-Blend Voile Mini Dress
The hero piece: Summer maxi dresses
- You’ve always looked at maxi dresses as the slip-on-and-leave option your wardrobe needs for busy mornings.
- But with the right silhouette choices, a maxi dress can be taken everywhere from the boardroom—layer under a light cardigan—or to the bar with interesting details, such as voluminous sleeves.
The style guide:
- Given the flowy nature of long summer dresses, you’ll want to step away from chunky accessories that can further add on volume.
- Instead, reach for a classic pair of gold hoops and a bucket bag to stash your everyday essentials.
Buy now: Y.A.S Yasgreena Printed Dress in Organic Cotton
The hero piece: Lace dress
- Looking to tackle all those RSVPs without sacrificing on style or comfort?
- Summer lace wedding dresses are your cheat code to cinch your title as the best-dressed guest at every occasion on your social calendar.
- Your options range from feminine all-over lace dresses to impactful pops of lace that can change the way you think about corset dresses for summer. Cue the fire emojis.
The style guide:
- With romantic infusions of lace adding that stop-and-stare element to your look, you’ll want to keep the rest of your styling choices uncomplicated.
- Date night on the cards? Leave your hair loose in gently tousled waves and opt for a metallic clutch as you clink glasses under the stars.
Buy now: Rasario Corset Maxi Dress in Crepe & Lace
The hero piece: Beach cover-up
- Whether your summer involves idyllic days at a tropical getaway or sipping endless piña coladas on a staycation, your wardrobe is incomplete without this handy number.
- Designed to be thrown on with minimal fuss, casual beach dresses offer appropriate coverage for a quick dash back from the pool to your room. It doesn’t hurt that they offer sartorial leverage as well.
- Allow your hunt for the perfect summer dresses for women to be guided by lightweight, quick-drying fabrics in flowy silhouettes. Poolside chic, here she comes!
The style guide:
- The no-muss, no-fuss sentiment behind this wardrobe staple, the barest finishing touches are called for.
- A pair of gold huggies to glimmer in your ears, flip-flops and a carry-all tote to ferry your newest beachside read.
Buy now: Missoni Zig-Zag Cover-up Maxi Dress in Lurex-Knit
