The hotel has been booked, the flights sorted and the toiletries decanted into 100ml bottles. All that is left is to source the dream holiday dress to take with you as you jet off to a sun-drenched destination.
Holiday attire is undeniably the most joyous mode of dressing. Kaleidoscopic colours, mesmerising prints, crochet and linen are all on the agenda to squeeze into your already oversized luggage. Whether fleeing the office in favour of the Mediterranean heat or a cultured city break, a carefully curated selection of clothes to wear is essential for making the most of your time off.
The online offering is saturated with blissful garments to set your sights on this summer. Some brands design solely with the warmer weather in mind - Pucci, Siedres, Farm Rio, Gimaguas and Rixo to name a few. What we can glean from said brands and their spirited collections is that pretty much anything goes when self-styling on a sojourn.
Take Dua Lipa for example. The star has worn colourbomb creations by the likes of Louisa Ballou, Marni, Supriya Lele and Versace during her luxury holidays. Taking a different approach, Kendall Jenner prefers a sleek monochrome ensemble to see her through the summer. Elsa Hosk loves a frilly frock moment (preferably slightly sheer), Emily Ratajkowski continues to fly the flag for halterneck silhouettes and Sofia Richie Grainge remains ever-faithful to her quiet luxury numbers à la Chanel.
It goes without saying that you need not spend a fortune to secure a suitably summery style. The perfect slip could be fished from a rail of your local thrift store or charity shop. Or perhaps a sample sale you just so happen to be passing. Be sure to check the archive pages of smaller brands’ websites, as we’ve uncovered some discounted gems by Fruity Booty and For Love and Lemons.
High street-wise, there are plenty of stores to frequent when hunting for the dress. Call us nostalgic, but we love a surfer chic moment from Roxy, Superdry or Free People. John Lewis is brimming with affordable options from Mango, Mint Velvet and Whistles. Choose from a flurry of ruffles, beading and tropical-print tiered layers and select a dress for every holiday occasion from beach to bar.
The reality of the matter is that you only need about five or six holiday dresses full stop. Given that the British weather rarely calls for a flash of butter yellow or crochet, there’s no need to go overboard when holiday dress shopping. Opt for timeless, airy designs and your future self will thank you later for the initial investment.
Embrace dopamine-inducing style and discover the best holiday dresses to shop this summer.
See below
Siedres Nisha Striped Jersey Mini Dress
Siedres is a brand that excels come summer. The Nisha striped jersey dress is a kaleidoscopic piece that will dazzle passersby.
Buy now £275.00, Harvey Nichols
Rixo Iggy Midi Dress
Available in regular and petite sizes, Rixo’s delightful Iggy Dress is a striped sensation. Black lace trims, a diagonally accented print and a warming colour palette make for a vibrant summer frock.
Buy now £245.00, Rixo
Gimaguas One-Shoulder Viscose Blend Mini Dress
Gimaguas designs for the summer girl. The label is brimming with viscose blend mini dresses showcasing colourpop prints and bodycon cuts. Pair yours with woven flatforms for an effortless beach-to-bar look.
Buy now £82.00, Luisa Via Roma
Faithfull The Brand + NET SUSTAIN Laureles Dress
Radiate carefree elegance in a chic one-shoulder number. Faithfull The Brand’s striped apple green Laureles dress is crafted from certified organic cotton-poplin fabric and is enhanced by a cinched waistline and drawstring ties.
Buy now £239.00, Net-A-Porter
Marques’Almeida Asymmetric Lace Mini Dress
A deconstructed, cut-out design and a whimsical lace finish add to the punkish allure of Marques’Almeida’s asymmetric mini dress. Bonus points for the charming cornflower blue and yellow colour palette.
Buy now £152.00, The Outnet
Kitri Roberta Patched Toile De Jouy Mini Dress
Kitri’s dresses have a habit of going viral. Add the ethereal, patchwork Roberta dress to your shopping basket before it flies off the shelves.
Buy now £150.00, Kitri
Farm Rio Gathered Linen-Blend Maxi Dress
Lightweight linen is a summer must - and Farm Rio’s quirky take on the classic material is a sight to behold. Dramatically blooming floral straps complete with drawstring ties create the focal point of this ethereal frock. Soft gathering around the neckline and a voluminous silhouette promises airy bliss in the hottest of climates.
Buy now £310.00, Net-A-Porter
By Anthropologie Asymmetrical Floral Midi Dress
Plus size collections tend to be limited, but not Anthropologie’s. The brand’s stunning Asymmetrical Floral Midi Dress is topping our extensive wishlist. Available in plus sizes only, the tropical number will accentuate your curves thanks to the asymmetrical hemline and floral embellishment.
Buy now £198.00, Anthropologie
H&M Flounce-Detail Mini Dress
A flash of lemon yellow will help to enhance both a tan and your sartorial summer arsenal. H&M’s ruffled mini exudes South of France style for a fraction of the price.
Buy now £21.99, H&M
Connor Ives Sexy Fish Dress
Support emerging designers and step out in Connor Ives for a one-of-a-kind style moment. The piece is stitched together from upcycled fabrics and features a slinky cowl neck for an injection of classic style. Swish your way to the dance floor with the slip’s asymmetrical fishtail which will bring a dose of drama.
Buy now £800.00, Koibird
For Love and Lemons Audrey Mini Dress
For Love and Lemons specialises in girlish glamour and the brand’s Audrey Mini Dress is romance personified. A dream-like tulip print is coupled with a dainty halterneck that will catch the seaside breeze.
Buy now £219.00, Revolve
Réalisation The Bridgette
Fear not colourphobes for your favourite inky hue can still be worn in the summer. Réalisation’s The Bridgette dress is the perfect example. A chic mini silhouette, Seventies-inspired fluted sleeves and embroidered white florals create a breezy summer look.
Buy now £250.00, Réalisation
Rokit Y2K Blue Floral Slip Dress
We’re going to let you into a little secret that will be a surprise to no one. Shopping second-hand is much more affordable than shopping on the high street, especially with brands like Rokit and Beyond Retro offering accessible one-offs. This Y2K slip is one-of-a-kind. A sky blue backdrop, purple blooms and a negligee cut serve up Noughties nostalgia. Add to bag.
Buy now £30.00, Rokit
Rixo Brandon Midi Dress
Rixo reigns supreme in the holiday dress department. Luxury lovers will coo over the brand's salmon pink Brandon Midi Dress, which showcases a Pucci-esque floral print, exquisite beading across the bust and a timeless square neck.
Buy now £625.00, Rixo
Superdry Crochet Cami Mini Dress
Forget white crochet, it’s all about chocolate crochet. Superdry’s crochet cami mini can be worn from festivals to fiestas. A feminine halterneck is complemented by a flirty cut. Pair with a bikini and you’re good to go.
Buy now £64.99, Superdry
Pucci Printed Silk-Twill Mini Dress
Luxury and leisure go hand in hand. Browse The Outnet’s designer offerings and your eye is bound to fall upon Pucci’s dazzling pieces. This printed mini dress features the house’s insignia silk structure and mesmeric tropical print. Wanderlust in a single garment.
Buy now £682.00, The Outnet
Fruity Booty Chéri Dress
Before returning to your default high street store, consider supporting smaller brands. Fruity Booty is the It-girl label to keep firmly on your radar. Brimming with delicate lace designs, kitschy cute sets and cheeky sheer frocks, the brand is home to the delightful Chéri dress.
Buy now £46.00, Fruity Booty
Whistles Palm Floral Carmel Dress
This dress plus a tan? Absolutely. A warming marigold hue, a back cut-out and a waist-enhancing fit are just a handful of attractive features belonging to Whistles’ sophisticated yet sassy midi. Note the gentle tropical petals and subtle ruching across the bust.
Buy now £99.00, John Lewis
