Summer is almost here, and while admittedly I wear midi dresses all year round, I can never resist updating my collection at this time of year with the new pieces dropping online (and selling those dresses that have stayed firmly at the back of my wardrobe).
A midi dress is so versatile as it can be worn with boots or trainers in the cooler weather, and sandals or slides when we reach peak summer, making them a worthy fashion investment.
From my high street go-to & Other Stories to celebrity-favourite Reformation, now is the time to shop the new-in styles. Expect lighter, brighter colours, breezy fabrics and fun prints. Think white, pink, green, and floral options, as well as long sleeve and satin styles. Plus, of course, I've included a classic black midi dress or two.
Royals and celebrities wearing midi dresses
It's arguably a wardrobe staple, but you'll see some royals wearing midi dresses more than others, and none more so than the Princess of Wales. She's synonymous with a printed midi, pictured here in Rixo's Izzy Dress. The 42-year-old royal looked effortlessly elegant, wearing the look with fresh-faced makeup and a pair of Castaner wedge espadrilles. Kate also likes to pair a floral midi dress with her Superga Cotu classic trainers.
Jennifer Lopez is another celeb who loves a midi, and was spotted wearing Reformation's Tagliatelle dress on her honeymoon in Paris. The Hollywood star looked beautiful in the breezy floral linen dress, which she styled with heeled sandals and oversized sunnies.
© Neil MockfordYou can't go wrong with a white midi dress in the spring/summer season, as proven by Victoria Beckham. Featuring subtle stripes in a floaty cut, I love how she's styled it with colour pop shoes.
How I chose the best midi dresses
- New-in: Your wardrobe deserves a new season refresh, so everything in this edit is from the just-dropped spring/summer collections.
- Style: Summer is synonymous with floral prints so I've made sure to include the prettiest ones available to shop. For colours, I've mostly gone for neutrals, pastels and brighter hues.
- Cut: In the warmer weather most of us tend to lean towards floatier, breezy cuts and dresses with shorter sleeves or spaghetti straps, so I've considered this while curating my edit.
- Fabrics: Our wool-blend midi dresses are now firmly in our winter wardrobes, making way for more lightweight fabrics like linen and pure cotton.
M&S Printed Midi Tea Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-24, Petite-Long
Colours available: Blue Floral, Pink Polka Dot
Shipping: £3.99 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £60
Returns: Free within 35 days
M&S does easy-to-wear printed midi dresses so well, and this one comes in a stunning shade of summery azure blue. It features ruched short sleeves and a flattering nipped in waist. I'd style it with barely-there strappy heeled sandals or leather slides.
Sizes available: EUR 32-46
Colours available: Pink
Shipping: £4 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £80
Returns: Free within 30 days
This new-in piece from & Other Stories comes in a summer-ready pink abstract print, and I'm obsessed. Featuring voluminous sleeves and a sultry side slit, I love it styled with heeled mules.
Nobody's Child Maya Midi Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-18
Colours available: Black, Green
Shipping: £5 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £100
Returns: Free within 30 days
There's still a place for black dresses in the spring/summer season, and if you're looking for a versatile piece, you won't find one more coveted than this popular midi from Nobody's Child. Made from an organic cotton blend, it has an effortless smock style, a stylish square neckline, and ruffle straps.
Reformation Woodson Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-16, Regular & Petite
Colours available: White, Black
Shipping: £6 Standard Delivery or free over £100
Returns: £6 within 30 days
With its shirt style, short flutter sleeves and subtle sheer detail, I think Reformation's Woodsen dress is the perfect daytime midi this summer. Wear it everywhere from the office to on holiday.
Rixo Seraphina Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-14
Colours available: Angel floral print
Shipping: £5 Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 14 days
Royal-approved Rixo has just dropped the summer midi dress of my dreams as part of their Ciao Lucia collaboration. Cut with the brand's signature empire seam and bias-cut skirt, it features scalloped ruffles at the collar and satin ribbons that tie in a bow.
Mango Side Slit Long Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-16
Colours available: Red
Shipping: £3.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £30
Returns: Free within 30 days
For a shirt dress that's a little more statement, Mango's red midi dress is a versatile piece for your summer wardrobe. Featuring playful cut-out detail, it's made from lightweight and breathable pure cotton.
New Look Stripe Split Hem Midi Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-22
Colours available: White
Shipping: £2.99 for Standard Delivery or free on orders over £50
Returns: £1.99 within 28 days
New Look's trending stripe midi dress is a gorgeous casual piece for the new season. The figure-skimming midi is made from a lightweight cotton-blend and features a flattering split hem. Wear it with trainers or slides.
ASOS DESIGN Button Down Linen Midi Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-18
Colours available: Oatmeal, Terracotta, Black, Polka Dot, Abstract print
Shipping: Free Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 28 days
This button-down midi dress from ASOS comes in several colours but I love this terracotta shade. Fitted at the top, it falls to a flowing skirt and could be worn as part of a casual daytime outfit or over a bikini on holiday.
River Island Ruched Midi Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-18
Colours available: Cream, Green
Shipping: £4 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £50
Returns: Free within 28 days
With its central ruched detail, River Island's split hem midi dress is so Jacquemus. The designer lookalike has a round neckline, sleeveless cut and subtle striped print.
Sizes available: XS-XL
Colours available: Beige
Shipping: £3.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £50
Returns: £1.95 within 30 days
Cut-out dresses are still trending this season, and this Zara midi looks like it could be a designer piece. It a comes in a chic netural hue and features thin straps, a front slit, appliqué detail and an invisible back zip fastening.
The Abercrombie & Fitch Mara Vest Midi Dress
Sizes available: XXS-XL
Colours available: Blue, Black, White
Shipping: £3.95 Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 60 days
Denim dresses are timeless and this one from Abercrombie is a bestseller thanks to its classic sleeveless cut and quality material. Made from the softest denim, it's available in three different shades and three different lengths.
H&M Drawstring-Detail Midi Dress
Sizes available: XXS-XXL
Colours available: Blue, White, Yellow, Orange
Shipping: £3.99 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £30
Returns: Free within 28 days
Cut with a round drawstring neckline, adjustable shoulder straps and a high split hem, this cute floral midi dress from H&M is a style that looks far more expensive than its price tag.
Reiss Stacey Midi Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-18, Regular & Petite
Colours available: Orange
Shipping: £5.95 Next Day Delivery
Returns: £1.95 within 28 days
For a versatile piece that can be dressed up or worn as part of a more casual outfit, I love this bright orange midi dress from Reiss. It hugs the body but has a flattering insert panel that ruches the fabric at the waist. A favourite of both Princess Kate and Meghan Markle, their dresses always expertly mix style with comfort.
Whistles Sketched Cheetah Dobby Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-20, Regular & Petite
Colours available: Purple
Shipping: £6 Standard Delivery or free on orders over £150
Returns: Free within 28 days
For a unique twist on classic leopard print, Whistles' Sketched Cheetah Dobby Dress comes in this gorgeous purple shade. It features a whimsical tiered skirt and flutter sleeves.
