It is a truth universally acknowledged that as temperatures rise, so do hemlines. We’re hopefully in for a golden summer this year and with life pretty much back to normal post-pandemic, that means a full agenda of fun and frolics is on the cards.
From festivals and park meet-ups, to day trips out of the capital and holidays overseas, we need a wardrobe that can keep up with the itinerary.
Dresses are perfect, an entire outfit in one piece. There’s a style to meet every taste and flatter every shape, with more brands and designers including plus sizes in their collections.
We’ve gathered the nicest options around to help you shop for your new season wardrobe.
See our favourites below
Monsoon Lily print twist dress with recycled polyester purple
Sizes: 8 - 20
Loose and flowy with a cascading floral pattern and gentle structure, this dress will become your go-to power player this summer. It's perfect for all occasions, from dates in a pub garden to long-organised wedding dos. A twist knot feature at the chest and balloon sleeves give it drama and flair. Recycling never looked so good.
Buy now £89.00, Monsoon
Reformation Gatsby Dress Es
Sizes: 18 - 26
A deep neck and high leg split keeps air flowing around this glamorous dress from Reformation, making it perfect for weddings and garden parties where you need to take your style up a notch.
Buy now £505.00, Reformation
La Redoute Linen Mix Midi Dress in Polka Dot Print with Puff Sleeves
Sizes: 6 - 20
Dotty for polka dots? Us too. This cream and lemon linen dress with puff sleeves has Cotswolds mini-break written all over it. Pair with espadrilles and straw accessories.
Buy now £68.00, La Redoute
ASOS EDITION Curve broderie blouson sleeve midi dress with contrast embroidery
Sizes: 16 - 30
Play Little House of the Prairie in this high-necked dress finished with broderie anglaise in a contrast navy stitch. The full sleeves and midi length are perfect for cooler summer days.
Buy now £88.50, ASOS
ASOS EDITION Curve pleat waist jacquard midi dress in yellow
Sizes: 16 - 30
This year will be a bumper summer for weddings. Get ready for all the nuptials in your diary with a killer frock that will surely come second to the bride. This floral jacquard dress with romantic puffy sleeves is a pretty proposal for formal events.
Buy now £145.00, ASOS
Hutch V-Neck Tiered Wrap Midi Dress
Sizes: 1 - 3XL
When life gives you lemons, sometimes there’s nothing for it but to wear them. This bright and cheerful wrap dress is super versatile but will no doubt look best when the sun comes out. Pack it for holidays or roll it out for pub lunches in the country.
Buy now £160.00, Anthropologie
Monsoon Olsen orange print shirt dress orange
Sizes: 8 - 24
No plans to go abroad? This fruit and blossom print dress promises to bring the rivierias of the Mediterranean to you. The shirt style midi dress features a cut out back but is cleverly designed to avoid bra straps showing. A row of buttons down the front add a cute extra detail.
Buy now £99.00, Monsoon
Lazy Oaf All The Smiles Smock Dress
Sizes: 6 - 20
The mania for all-things 90s has yet to wane, which gives us licence to throw money at Lazy Oaf’s acid house-inspired smock dress. The classic smiley faces are featured melting on a bright purple background.
Buy now £95.00, Lazy Oaf
Violeta by Mango Printed dress with balloon sleeves
Sizes: 4 - 26
Vintage 70s-inspired prints are all the rage at the moment - play up to the trend in this brown, yellow and white daisy print mini.
Buy now £19.99, Mango
Plenty by Tracy Reese Printed Halter Maxi Dress
Sizes: 1 - 3XL
A flattering maxi halter in earthy tones is perfect for warm summer nights - and days, too. An elasticated waist cinches you in without feeling restrictive, while the crossover halter is super-flattering and has the optical illusion of lengthening limbs.
Buy now £198.00, Anthropologie
Never Fully Dressed Plus textured smock maxi dress in green gingham
Sizes: 18 - 24
School may be out for summer but the lessons to be taken from uniform check dressing are still very much in. Graduate in wholesome, preppy style with this gingham midi from Never Fully Dressed. We’re fully feeling this grass green midi, which comes with flattering puff sleeves and a shirred bodice for a nicer fit.
Buy now £99.00, ASOS
Nobody’s Child Alexa Midi Dress
Sizes: 20 - 24
Whether you’re meeting the parents or reconnecting with your mates, this cute floral tea dress has you covered. The short sleeves and v-neck front offer plenty of opportunities for airflow, and it’ll pair just as well with classic Converse as it will with a pair of biker boots. One with year-round appeal.
Buy now £39.00, Nobody’s Child
Karen Millen Plus Size Spring Green Botanical Bunches Woven Kimono Maxi
Sizes: 18 - 24
Be at one with nature in this green and cream floral print kaftan from Karen Millen's Curve collection. The floaty look is ideal for high temperatures and can be dressed up for a day at the office as well as by a resort pool.
Buy now £191.20, Karen Millen
VILA Curves Blue Floral Frill Long Sleeve Midi Dress
Sizes: 18 - 24
Fancy enough for a wedding reception, but casual enough for a trip to the pub, the versatility of this long-sleeved frilled midi dress is what makes it so appealing, time and again.
Buy now £45.00, New Look
Monsoon Floral woodblock halter pleat bodice dress green
Sizes: 8 - 24
The days of staring forlornly into your packed wardrobe and still being unable to find something to wear are over. Monsoon’s summer collection is filled to the hilt with pretty frocks, including this halter number. Falling to midi length, it’s also appropriate for offices with a relaxed dress code. Win-win.
Buy now £69.00, Monsoon
Reformation Juliette Dress Es
Sizes: 18 - 24
Live a Dolce Vita summer in Reformation's lovely floral print dress which comes with a thigh-high split to give your pins some breathing room. The form-fitting dress runs on the smaller side, so opt for a size up if you're not sure what's right for you.
Buy now £248.00, Reformation
Monsoon Millie ikat shirt dress green
Sizes: 14, 16, 22
Dressing for the office when it's sweltering outside can leave you feeling hot and flustered before you've even set foot out of the door. Luckily, a maxi-length shirt dress like this ikat patterned one from Monsoon is all you need to take you effortlessly from boardroom to bar. Flattering for all body shapes, it comes with a matching self-tie belt to help you achieve that hourglass figure.
Buy now £75.00, Monsoon
ASOS DESIGN Curve off shoulder fold wrap pleat midi dress in red
Sizes: 24 - 30
Serving a night at the opera vibes from Pretty Woman, this off-shoulder midi dress is making a serious case to jump right into your online basket, whether you have a big night out planned or not. Currently on sale, it would be a big mistake to miss out. Huge.
Buy now £70.00, ASOS
Ulla Popken Stripe Mix Round Neck Stretch Cotton Knit Dress
Sizes: 16 - 38
This chic red dress is as essential to a wardrobe as an LBD. It’s perfect for wearing to the office when temperatures rise but will look pretty smart for formal occasions outside of work too. Patch pockets by either hip allow you to carry your essentials hands-free.
Buy now £35.00, Ulla Popken
Never Fully Dressed Pom Pom Rainbow Dress - Curve
Sizes: 18 - 24
Get your pom poms out - it’s time to party in NFD’s tiered frock, which is trimmed with tiny balls and features stitching in all the colours of the rainbow. In short, everything you need to get the fiesta started!
Buy now £99.00, Never Fully Dressed
Monsoon Lorraine embroidered midi dress in sustainable cotton green
Sizes: 8 - 22
Part of the brand's S.E.W Sustainable collection, this beautifully embroidered midi takes the frustration out of summertime dressing. It's lovely enough to be worn without any accessories, but if you must, some silver bangles and comfy sandals should do the trick.
Buy now £150.00, Monsoon
11 Honore Gloria Maxi
Sizes: 14 - 20
A date night dress that'll leave you feeling like a million dollars without actually spending it. This strappy maxi has enough flounce to skim over your curves without losing your shape. Wear with heels and cherry red lipstick.
Buy now £268.00, 11 Honore
Erdem Kendrick Dress Constance Bouquet Cotton Poplin
Sizes: 6 - 22
Take inspiration from your grandmother's china collection via Erdem. The luxury brand began introducing inclusive sizing last year to a UK dress size 22. This elegant shirtdress design is perfect for summer, made from lightweight breathable cotton poplin and finished with a Constance Bouquet print in pale blue.
Buy now £700.00, Erdem
