Our ode to those sweet summer dresses you’ll live in all season long…

Ahhh, summer! Longer days and warmer nights are nearly upon us, and that means it’s time to stock up on the perfect things for your wardrobe. We all know that one key staple in every woman’s closet should be: a great summer dress.

And while no one’s asking you to get rid of your throw-on frocks, this season is trending back towards curvy silhouettes, shorter hemlines, plenty of body hugging and the “return of the waist”.

Ready to rotate in some of this season’s summer dress favs?

#10 – GETTING LEGGY WITH IT

Time to get those tan lines touched up. After several seasons of dominating maxis and midis, hemlines are heading back up…as in well above the knees. If it’s been a minute since you’ve sported a mini, consider the classic short floral to ease your way back. Here’s five we found, courtesy of Windsor, that are full of flirty fun…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Windsor, Easy Breezy In Floral Chiffon Dress $48.90

• Windsor, A Flare To Remember Skater Dress $42.90

• Windsor, Golden Hour Floral Ruffled Skater Dress $52.90

• Windsor, Extra Flair Floral Skater Dress $49.90

• Windsor, Sweet Life Floral Chiffon Skater Dress $44.90

#9 – RETURN OF THE WAIST

Oversized and roomy dresses will always be welcome, but Summer 2023 is officially the return of the waist. From the tailored nip/tuck, Wednesday-inspired looks (see #4 below) to romantic fits with a touch of Regencycore, it’s time to “center” ourselves again and take back our curves.

Case in point, these five flowy beauties we found, any one of which would easily make the cover of a Julia Quinn novel.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Windsor, Swing My Way Eyelet Lace Midi Dress $49.90

• Sugarlips, Mariposa Floral Aerin Flutter Midi Dress $80

• Windsor, Sheryl Formal Floral Chiffon Ruffle Dress $79.90

• Windsor, Breezy Weekend Vibes Floral Dress $54.90

• Love, Bonito, Tanya Ruched Babydoll Dress $69.00

#8 – SHOW SOME SKIN

Peekaboo cutouts took a backseat for a bit, but with warmer climes in sight, we’re ready to show off those midriffs in style. This season we’re specifically honing in on the dramatic waist cutout, which looks oh-so-sexy with a bodycon midi in solid colors that let’s the peek-a-boo do all the talking.

Here’s five sleek and chic versions that are everything they’re cut out to be…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Cult Gaia, Cutout-Detail Knitted Dress $279

• Windsor, Casual Scene Crew Neck Midi Dress $25.90

• Windsor, Feel The Heat V-Neck Midi Dress $39.90

• Lulus, Spice Things Up Red Ribbed One-Shoulder Cutout Midi Dress $56

• Sundry, Cutout Midi Dress $94 (on Sale NOW from $188)

#7 – BODY HUGGING

Give yourself a hug, ladies. Coming in all levels of hemline, the trending body hugging dress is proof we’ve got it and we’re ready to flaunt it. From knits to viscose, ditsy florals to sophisticated patterns, it’s time to celebrate the silhouette.

Check out the variety of options we found for you to slide right into…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Windsor, Paint Me In Floral V-Neck Maxi Dress $42.90

• P.A.R.O.S.H., Knitted Bodycon Dress $198

• Windsor, Weekend Getaway Midi Sweater Dress $54.90

• Windsor, Flourish In Floral Print Mini Dress $26.90

• Halston, Karlen Dress in Matte Viscose $495

#6 – ASYMMETRICAL

How very noughtie of us…yes, the Y2K love of asymmetrical and handkerchief hemlines continues to trend. Fun fact, even in the aughts this was a throwback trend (as in from the 70s). So once again, what comes around, goes around. And like so many of the nostalgic looks this season, you’ll want to keep it fresh, not costumery.

These five fits do it right, by being inspired by the look, not dated by it…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Rebecca Taylor, Handkerchief Silk-Blend Midi $147.99 (on Sale NOW from $495)

• Diane von Furstenberg, Violetta Dress $438

• Windsor, Dream Escape Tropical Midi Dress $36.90

• Versona, Peaches And Cream Dress $54.99

• Krisa, Asymmetrical Ruffle Dress $50

#5 – RETURN OF THE PARTY DRESS

Like a flock of fashionable magpies, we’re obsessed with the shiny. Once relegated to mostly winter holiday parties, we’re not waiting around to strut our glam. Sequins, rhinestones, lurex…bring on the bling.

These five beauties make a great case for why the party dress is back and thriving…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Rick Owens, Athena Metallic One-Shoulder Dress $505

• Oséree, Glittered Feather Trim Dress $470

• Windsor, Dazzle Down Sequin Lace-Up Mini Dress $45.90

• Halston, Sarena Dress in Stretch Sequin $395

• Lulus, Signature Sparkle White Sequin Fringe Mini Dress $68

#4 – GOTH, BUT MAKE IT SUMMER

Dark and subversive fits isn’t something we normally associate with summer. But thanks to a healthy dose of goth 2.0 and binge-watching Wednesday the series, this movement of strong hyper fem expression that hit us early in the year, is showing no signs of slowing down. We are, however, seeing things ‘lighten up’ a bit as we head into the 70 degree and above months.

These are five great choices that keep the vibe, but won’t have you sweating under layers of leather and tulle…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Acler, Brookman Denim Mini Dress $450

• Rue21, Black Mesh Midi Dress $24.99

• Elie Tahari, Floral Lace Midi Skirt $327.60 (on Sale NOW from $468)

• Lulus, Radiant Love Black Floral Embroidered Skater Dress $79

• Black Halo, Izola CB Sheath Dress $375

#3 – SHIRT IT UP

It’s a timeless piece, so saying that shirtdresses are back in style is a bit misleading because they never really left. The shirtdress is however having a big moment this season. Why? Maybe it’s because it speaks to our post-pandemic need for multi-tasking fashion. Shirtdresses are one of fashion’s best magic tricks. Add a tie or belt with heels and you have the perfect work dress. Take off the belt, add some sandals (or flip flops) and voilà, your casual Boho vibe is complete. So this season we’re really leaning in, with options from short to long, and materials from luxe to wash-n-go.

Here are five fabulous chameleons for you to choose from (spoiler alert! There are no bad choices here)…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Sugarlips, Magnolis Rhubarb Wynette Tiered Dress $95

• J. McLaughlin, Riviera Linen Dress $218

• Universal Standard, Odeon Stretch Poplin Shirtdress $78 (on Sale NOW from $142)

• Lulus, Next Door Sweetie Blue Chambray Shirt Dress $69

• Maje, Rogeo Tile-Print Shirtdress $269 (on Sale NOW from $535)

#2 – DECADENT DENIM

Not since we tore our way through our last Delia’s catalogue (yes, as in hard copy days) have denim dresses been so welcome in the spotlight. True, they have a lot of company, with graphic tees and chunky mary janes keeping them company on the runway. From the classic demure A-line to of-the-moment deconstructed, rocking a denim dress is a must this season.

With so much variety out there, you can really personalize to find what suits you best. Here are five of our favorites for your consideration…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• CO, Short Sleeve Denim Midi Dress $625

• & Rouge, Denim Midi Dress $99.99 (on Sale NOW from $255)

• Boston Proper, Summer Essentials Off-the-Shoulder Dress $98.50

• A.P.C., Short-sleeved Denim Shirtdress $240

• Litkovskaya, Asymmetric Denim Dress $518 (on Sale NOW from $954)

#1 – A SLIP OF A THING

The returning champion continues for another season. The slip dress has been at the forefront of the lingerie-as-daywear movement since…well, well forever really. This season we’re making the look even more intentional, with bright colors and fitted silhouettes that definitely read more “dress” and less Agent Provocateur.

Here’s five lovelies that are just waiting for you to slip into…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Fleur Du Mal, Silk Short Slip Dress $395

• Equipment, Arles Silk Satin Slip Dress $189 (on Sale NOW from $450)

• Versona, Night Cap Dress $44.99

• Milly, Lilliana Slip Dress $395

• Alice + Olivia, Harmony Asymmetric Slip Dress $277 (on Sale NOW from $395)