With so much to do this season, the best summer dresses are a need, not a want. You’re likely staring down a schedule packed with weddings, BBQs, parties, and vacations—and the right dresses will get you through everything in style. Looking for a summer wedding guest dress that’ll ace any dress code? Need an Amazon dress that’ll arrive in mere days because you procrastinated shopping for your next getaway? Haven’t found a sundress that’s breezier and dressier than your go-to jeans? You’ve come to the right place. Our style shopping editors vetted the most popular clothing brands to find the summer dress picks to shop right now.
Glamour’s edit of best summer dresses:
The trendiest summer dresses
Of course we have to start with the most popular dress trends of the summer. Walk around NYC and you can’t help but run into a polka-dot dress or skirt. The retro style is easy to style with slim sneakers or ballet flats for an everyday look. Drop-waist dresses are still going strong this summer, and they’re so airy, flowy, and easy to style. If you’re looking for a summer work dress, we recommend styling a shirtdress with work sneaks or sandals—shirtdresses are refined without feeling too stuffy. And we can’t forget about our sporty summer dresses like the tennis dress. Check out Lululemon’s popular Align dress that our editors recommend for travel, working out, walking, and more.
Prettygarden Strapless Cocktail Dress
Madewell Bubble-Hem Mini Shirtdress in Pinstripe Poplin
The best summer wedding guest dresses
Summer weddings can be tricky to shop for, especially when you factor in heat, destination (sand in our toes is fun until heels get involved), and varying levels of formality. Thankfully, there are plenty of flowy cocktail dresses that’ll keep you cool without sacrificing style. This season, we’re especially into sequins, boho slip dresses, gingham, polka dots, halter necks, and neck scarves. Butter yellow is still top of mind, of course, along with a few other favorite pastel shades.
The A&F Julia Slip Cutout Maxidress
Lovers and Friends Diamanto Gown
Best Amazon summer dresses
When in doubt, Amazon it out (Bezos needs to give us a call). You might not usually turn to Amazon for summer dress shopping, but over the years both the options and the quality have seriously stepped up. Below, we’ve rounded up a few top-rated picks across styles, silhouettes, and shades: a tiered maxi tent dress from The Drop, a short-sleeve midi from Paige, and a signature LoveShackFancy look that nails the soft-girl aesthetic.
The Drop Britt Tiered Maxi Tent Dress
Madewell Smocked Puff-Sleeve Midi-Dress
LoveShackFancy Suvi Dress
Best white summer dresses
The easiest thing to throw on in the summer? A reliable white dress. It instantly gives off the illusion that we have our lives together, which makes it a staple in any good capsule wardrobe. Every summer (after a fresh wash with a little bleach) we find ourselves reaching for our white dresses again and again. Whether it’s a breathable ruffle sundress from Amazon, an off-white linen dress from Alex Mill, or a one-shoulder maxi from Zara, there’s always one that does the trick.
Zara ZW Collection Linen Asymmetric Dress
Onia Air Smocked Linen Maxidress
Retrofête Alana Sequined Dress
Best petite summer dresses
“How’s the weather down there?” they asked. Pretty great, especially when you’re in a summer dress that actually fits. The styles below either come in petite sizes or were made specifically for petite shoppers, which means you can order them online without the hassle of sending them back. Our go-to stores really deliver here—Gap, Madewell, and Abercrombie all have affordable options that are easy to dress up or down.
Abercrombie Dipped-Waist Smocked Midi-Dress
Gap Linen-Blend Embroidered Halter Maxidress
Madewell Petite Poplin Smocked Maxidress
CeliaB Lola Linen-Blend Babydoll Midi-Dress
Best polka-dot dresses for summer
While we can’t say we’ve never met a trend we didn’t like, polka dots are one we’re especially partial to. Luckily, in the year 2025 there’s no shortage of them, whether it’s a formal strapless number from Reformation or an off-the-shoulder option from AFRM. Plenty of trends come and go, but we have a feeling polka dots are sticking around for a while, which makes them well worth the investment.
Reformation Oren Silk Dress
Matteau Gathered Polka-Dot Dress
Eloquii Mixed-Dot-Print Satin Dress
Solada Polka-Dot Print Georgette Halter Sundress
Best summer maxidresses
Maxidresses are one of the easiest things to throw on in the summer. They work as a warm-weather coverup after a beach or pool day, for a picnic in the park, a formal dinner with heels, or even a quick errand run—just in case you get stopped by a “What do you do for a living?” TikToker. No matter if you’re dressing up for a rehearsal dinner (hello, Free People) or need something casual shipped in time for your Hamptons trip (thank you, Amazon Prime), you’ll find something here.
Cider Strapless Floral Maxidress
Significant Other Juniper Maxidress
Best summer minidresses
Whether or not you love minidresses, there’s no denying that when it’s hot and humid out, less fabric is always better. Minis are comfortable and easy to throw on, and make packing for vacation a breeze. A few short dresses and some flip-flops (or flip-flop heels) are all it takes for a solid summer lineup. Beach club in Ibiza? We’re eyeing the orange mini from SNDYS. First date at the park? Damson Madder has your back.
Damson Madder Cassidy Long-Sleeve Organic-Cotton Eyelet Minidress
Bali Juliet Embroidered Minidress
Vrg Grl Anabelle Linen Minidress
Best beach dresses and cover-ups
There’s an art to the beach dress. Some are purely functional—like a simple crochet knit dress from Zara you can toss over your swimsuit and you couldn’t care less about a little sand. Others are more about the idea of the beach—meant to look good as the breeze flows through your hair. Case in point: this chic shell kaftan from Oséree that works just as well on the sand as it does at the beach club.
