8 Maxi Dresses You’ll Want To Live In For The Rest of The Summer

The worst of the heatwave (aka feeling like your bedroom is an actual oven) may be out of the way, but if you’re still seeking easy, breezy outfits that feel like you’re wearing as little as possible then look no further than the humble maxi and midi dress. Reliable, failsafe and dependable no matter how last minute the plans, this wardrobe staple means your outfit is sorted in one fell swoop and you can concentrate on the more important summer decisions: frozen Margarita or Aperol Spritz?

Dressed up or down depending on if you opt for sandals or trainers, gold hoops or a string of colourful beads, these 8 maxi dresses work for both day to night, taking you from family BBQ to last-minute beachside cocktails with ease- who doesn’t love a multitasker!

From H&M and Weekday to Sleeper and Sezane, these 8 longline dresses make stress-free dressing possible on all budgets…

Zoe’s Summer Brunch Style

I’ve recently purchased this Sleeper dress and I love it! It’s quite a statement piece and has the floral pattern and puff sleeves which means I tend to dress it down a bit with more casual accessories like a sandal and straw bag combo. I also loved this necklace and thought it made the colours in the dress pop!

Liberty London, Sleeper Atlanta Pansies Print Linen Midi-Dress, £250
Arket, Leather Trimmed Straw Bag, £79
Arket, Woven Leather Slides, £135
Mango, Clay bead necklace, £19.99

Danielle’s Smart Summer Dinner Look

I’m still not over this shade of green, to be honest! I would pair these gorgeous Dune accessories with a really simple black dress featuring some really fun cut-out details for a smart summer dinner either on holiday or in boiling Brighton! I’d finish off the look with sunnies, this gorgeous gold Mejuri ring (with another pop of green) and a summer red lipstick!

H&M, Balloon-sleeved cut-out crêpe dress, £29.99
Dune London, Dempsy – Green Small Woven Cross Body Bag, £120
Dune London, Licorice – Green Leather Sandals, £75
& Other Stories, Chunky Rectangular Frame Sunglasses, £27
Space NK, Nars Lipstick, £23
Mejuri, Signet Pinky Ring Chrome Diopside, £88

Maddie’s Garden Party Vibe

When it comes to beautiful maxi summer dresses Sezane is always my go-to. There’s something about that French aesthetic that I’m always drawn to, it’s so understated yet elegant. I love the washed-out inky blue flowers and bohemian layers which would make this such a comfortable summer’s day piece. I would definitely pair this with some classic Castaner wedges (a staple summer shoe IMO) to give me a bit of height, a delicate necklace and an oversized raffia tote.

Sezane, PHILY DRESS Blue Flowers, £185
Net-A-Porter, CASTAÑER Carina 80 canvas wedge espadrilles, £85
Mango, Raffia tote bag, £79.99
Mejuri, Floating Sapphire Necklace, £88

Lily’s Sunset Drinks Style

Although my usual go-to dress length would be a mini or a midi, I am currently OBSESSED with linen. I would pair this linen maxi number with a black sandal/flipflop. A beach bag (my current LOVE is a beach bag/tote) to compliment the shoes, and also some cute retro sunglasses. Including, layering some jewellery to help dress up the outfit!

Zara, Linen Blend Dress, £32.99
H&M, Platform flip-flops, £17.99
ASOS DESIGN macrame knitted tote bag in black, £19
H&M, Three-strand necklace, £9.99
H&M, 9-pack rings, £9.99
Weekday, Cruise Squared Sunglasses, £18

Lareese’s Summer Event Look

I’m living for this Olivia Ruben style colour block maxi from ASOS – the washed-out pastels lend themselves perfectly to al fresco summer events from wine tasting (every vineyard is a catwalk) to garden parties or a day at the races. Style with strappy heeled sandals and a headband and it’ll make for a cracking wedding dress outfit or a dressy weekend fit, too. I’ll be saving it for the cooler temps when the breeze is back, ‘cos we all know satin in a heatwave is not the one!

ASOS DESIGN balloon sleeve colour block maxi dress, £50
Mango, Heel strips sandals, £49.99
& Other Stories, Ruched Alice Headband, £17
ASOS, My Accessories London co-ord satin frame clutch bag, £22

Charlotte’s Summertime Dream Dress

I’m personally rather partial to a mini dress, but even I can admit there’s something magical about a maxi dress and being able to get dressed in one simple step means I go back to them again and again. Who doesn’t love easy, breezy dressing in the summer months?! This pink number from Urban Outfitters is giving me big Olivia Rodrigo vibes, and in my humble opinion, any item that ticks that box is a big yes from me. I’ve styled it with a crossbody bag (this Eastpak one is a good substitute for the TikTok viral Uniqlo version!) which is perfect for summer days when you need an endless list of items- be it suncream, a portable charger and a mini deodorant- without being weighed down by a big tote bag. Finished off with some chunky sandals and some simple jewellery and this outfit is a summertime dream.

Urban Outfitters, UO Olivia Mesh & Lace Slip Midi Dress, £49
Warehouse, Chunky Double Strap Sandal, £79
Carrie Elizabeth, Slinky Herringbone Chain In Gold Plating, £100
Urban Outfitters, Eastpak Black Springer Bum Bag, £24

Darcey’s Heat Wave Hero

I love a simple black maxi dress on a hot day, this one from Weekday I think is especially nice with the open back which elevates the look a lot. I’ve paired it with some classic Birkeys and gold jewellery to complete the look and I absolutely LOVE this green shopper bag, so good for the beach or running errands!

Weekday, Sophie Open Back Dress, £36
Schuh, BIRKENSTOCK black arizona sandals, £65
Missoma, Squiggle Wavy Large Hoop Earrings, £115
Urban Outfitters, HVISK Loop Net Shopper Bag, £41

Liv’s Cowgirl Dream

I am living in midi and maxi dresses this summer, they are my uniform. This long-sleeved number from H&M is offering a perfect amount of cover-up and comfiness and I can see myself wearing it both dressed up and down. I am obsessed with cowboy boots at the moment, I’m also having a moment for red shoes, so combine the two and you have the boots of dreams.

H&M, Open-backed dress, £39.99
ASOS, Free People Brayden western boots, £268
Ray-Ban, Round Metal Sunglasses, £184

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