Despite being present in virtually every wardrobe, the midi dress is, in our opinion, underrated. Minis and maxis receive abundant fanfare, but the trusty midi is relatively uncelebrated, doing the hard work of clothing us for summer weddings and work events and everything in-between.
Well, until now. This season, the midi dress finally found its way out of everyday rotation and onto the SS25 catwalks, where designers celebrated the calf-grazing style in multiple guises. The summer midi dress – be it figure-skimming and polka dotted or oversized and airy – is finally being given the attention it deserves.
Consider a summer dress with an interesting neckline, namely something strapless or asymmetric. Specifically, we can’t stop thinking about Versace’s slinky, floral bandeau dress, which was styled with metallic chartreuse sling-backs and a mini bag (hello again, Y2K) on the runway. Meanwhile, Dior, Bottega Veneta and Jacquemus all made a case for the one-shoulder LBD.
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Speaking of LBDs, there were plenty more – but not as you know them. Enter the Loose Black Dress – a billowing, much more comfortable alternative to its comparatively littler counterpart. See Simone Rocha and Tibi’s offerings (which have pockets!) or Khaite’s cut-out tunic dress, offering a glimpse of body beneath the swathes of fabric.
On and off the runway, the polka-dot dress occupies a prize spot (pun intended). Notable mentions go to the 1990s-inspired, tomato-red, halterneck midi Kaia Gerber wore to the Tribeca Film Festival last month, and the wispy spot-print slip from Charles Jeffrey Loverboy’s SS25 collection. A satin slip is also a fine idea, as advocated by Alexa Chung, Dries Van Noten, and an abundance of editors at fashion week.
When it comes to summer midi dresses, the choices are plenty. Luckily, we’ve narrowed it down for you with our curated edit.
A Polka-Dot Summer Midi Dress
French Connection Polka Dot Midi Dress
Zara Polka-Dot Midi Dress
Depending on whether you opt for a fit-and-flare dress or a bias-cut, halterneck style, polka dots can read Fifties or Nineties – such are their versatility. Do like Kaia Gerber and wear a halter midi with a block-heel ballet shoe.
A One-Shoulder Summer Midi Dress
M&S Cotton Rich Textured One Shoulder Midi Beach Dress
According to a slew of designers, the shoulder is this season’s errogenous zone. For something with a Y2K sensibility, look to Gimaguas, the It girl-approved Spanish brand. Their Lucia dress looks great with studded flats.
A Loose Black Midi Summer Dress
Cos Bubble-Hem Midi Dress
Arket Ballon-Sleeve Dress
Rise & Fall Women's Silk Organza Layered Dress
When temperatures soar, all we really want to wear is a tent dress – luckily for us, they are abundant for SS25. Cos and Arket do an oversized midi especially well, and we’re also big fans of Rise & Fall’s minimal organza style. Balance the volume with strappy kitten heels or sleek leather flip flops.
A Strapless Midi Summer Dress
M&S Cotton Rich Bandeau Midi Drop Waist Dress
Self-Portrait Strapless belted panelled denim midi dress
It’s time to dig that strapless bra out of retirement – or do away with a bra altogether, depending on your preference – as the bandeau midi dress is back. For day, team jersey or denim versions with jelly sandals; for night, satin and mules are a tried-and-true partnership.
A Satin Midi Slip Summer Dress
Rixo Annina -
Let us count the ways we love the satin slip dress. It looks just as good worn with ballet flats for a spot of market-hopping as it does for weddings (as a guest or indeed, the bride). Coutille and Ghost stock some of our favourite styles.
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