What is summer without a gorgeous roster of dresses to rotate around? Well, that’s the opinion of the British Vogue editors, who not only have their own dress style signatures down to a fine art, but who are also often found influencing the purchases of their colleagues and friends. Take European beauty and wellness director, Jessica Diner, whose floral dress collection is now a fully fledged part of her wardrobe DNA, or commerce director, Naomi Smart, who rarely steers away from a body-con midi.
But what’s on the agenda for July? Slinky slips that can roll into a carry-on just as easy as they can roll out (because, really, who is still contemplating checking in luggage in the midst of a travelling surge?). Beach restaurant-ready dresses that you can fling over a bikini are also in the line-up (thank you Louisa Ballou) and yes, sun-kissed shoulders can still have their moment come golden hour – Chloe‘s smocked maxi with voluminous sleeves is the only holiday drama you need.
So, if you’re scrolling relentlessly to find the perfect LBD or hunting for a show-stopping party dress for your best friend’s birthday, we know the choice out there is nothing short of overwhelming and, naturally, we’re here to help.
Deborah Ababio, global entertainment director
This gorgeous pink ribbed-jersey dress from Self Portrait is the perfect combination of sexy and chic. I feel it’s great for any occasion, 24/7.
Kerry McDermott, digital director
Is it me, or is Mango doing some really good summer dresses at the moment? This is the second linen dress I’ve bought from Mango in the last month, and both of them were less than £50. The cut-outs are just the right side of subtle, so it’s super wearable.
Jessica Diner, European beauty and wellness director
This dream dress is from Ulla Johnson, and is both the perfect print and lightweight fabric for summer’s in-between weather – which is ideal given we have been experiencing multiple seasons in a day. Pair with chunky sandals and a basket bag and it’s good to go for holiday too.
Laura Ingham, deputy director, global fashion network
This easy breezy cold shoulder Chloé dress can take you from the office to dinner, or can be worn over a bikini for the ultimate beach dress.
Alice Newbold, executive fashion news and features editor
I’ve wanted a SIR dress for years and this summer I finally took the plunge after having a crisis about what to wear in 35 degree heat in Rome. This clever cut-out number comes in my favourite shade of baby blue and will see me through countless late summer occasions – providing I still fit in it after all that cacio e pepe.
Jessica Gerardi, shopping editor
I have just booked a holiday to Ibiza so, naturally, I’ve been thinking about the fab array of dresses that I’ll bring. This Louisa Ballou number is definitely at the top of the holiday shopping list. I love the vibrant colours and asymmetric style — perfect for casual lunches on the beach or long evenings on the dance floor.
Naomi Smart, commerce director
I’ve always been a sucker for a denim dress. I used to live in a vintage ’90s boxy number for years, so as soon as I saw this Loewe strutting down the SS22 runway I was sold. Delicate straps, sculpting silhouette, and flirty ruffles — what more could you want for a balmy July evening?
Amel Mukhtar, associate features writer
OK, I don’t know if a dress has ever gotten more compliments while being this practical. Sexy, airy and layerable, I wore it to Primavera Sound Festival where it was the star of the poolside pop-up, but really it came into its own in the amphitheatrical pit of the Cupra stage. The mesh meant no wet stains, no beer stench and an easy clean. The side slit let me go as hard as anyone else. For me, summer is about finding ways to be as carefree as possible and this dress delivers that for me, so I know I’ll be wearing it constantly over the next few months.
Lauren Murdoch-Smith, senior beauty and wellness editor
I’m continuing my penchant for tie dye with a more grown-up, summer version (most of my tie dye clothing was loungewear bought in lockdown) in the form of a classic Pippa Holt Kaftan, but with a sophisticated tie dye design in my favourite colour. Nothing fits quite like Pippa’s kaftans – they instantly make you feel good, whether on the beach or in the city.
Joy Montgomery, senior commerce writer
Julia Hobbs, senior projects editor, Vogue Club
If the idea of wearing a print makes you squirm (me too), let me point you to Simone Rocha’s balletic broderie anglaise midi — an elegant antidote to the eye-popping patterns currently swirling around Instagram. I’ll be wearing it with Balenciaga’s Mask Butterfly sunglasses and Miu Miu’s satin ballet shoes.
Jessica Diner, European beauty and wellness director
In what has developed into something of a pre-summer ritual, in the month of June, I always purchase a new dress from Dôen to mark the turn of the season. Always in the softest, floaty cotton and in a flattering silhouette, you really can’t go wrong.
Alyson Lowe, senior development manager
Every year, I like to add one or two new summer dresses to my wardrobe – but, every year, the list of requirements from said dresses grows ever longer. Does it work as well at a high summer wedding as it does to the office? Will it travel well in a suitcase? Can I wear it with heels and flats? This month, the solution to these questions comes in the shape of this glorious Rhode frock.
Eniola Dare, associate fashion editor
Lexxi Duffy, senior social media manager
A dress for all occasions and seasons, I adore this printed silk style from independent brand Lisou London. I also love the matching hair accessories, sustainably made from fabric cutoffs to help reduce waste. Plus, for every piece purchased, they pledge to plant five trees across four continents. A feel-good investment all round.
Naomi Smart, commerce director
When looking for a new dress I always have a failsafe checklist. I know what suits me: it’s got to be a midi or maxi length, there needs to be a sleeve of some sort and usually in a figure-hugging fabric. This Ganni dress fits the bill perfectly with its little halterneck detail, flippy skirt and ruched body and amazing bolt of tangerine. It’s elevated enough to wear to a wedding and great for a work event. It’s also just gone on sale, so snap it up while you can!
Rosie Vogel-Eades, talent casting director
I’m wearing this Proenza number everywhere this summer. She’ll be paired with a simple Birkenstock for city days and a Manolo mule for evenings out. The perfect summer city dress with the most flattering cut – full coverage for the office, but light enough to wear when it gets steamy.
Laura Ingham, deputy director, global fashion network
Honey Sweet Elias, fashion assistant and Jessica Gerardi, shopping editor
Honey Sweet Elias: For me, this is my ultimate easy summer dress. When I go away I alway like to treat myself to a new style – I love something that is loose fitting and easy to slip on. Vita Kin is my favourite for this and the most comfortable. I know I could dress up if I wanted, but also wear it open with a swimsuit underneath for the beach.
Jessica Gerardi: This reconstructed T-shirt dress from Conner Ives is the perfect day-to-night summer number. I’ll swap my chunky sliders for knee-high boots and head straight to the party!
Donna Wallace, fashion and accessories editor
I love the crescent neckline of this Feben dress and its elegant aughts mood. With the current uptick in social engagements, a piece with versatility is always appreciated and rated. It’s form fitted to accentuate the waist and split to show some leg, but versatile enough to layer over a slick, slim-fit trouser – which is most likely how you’ll see me in it . Not only that, it’s also seasonless.
Laura Hawkins, fashion features editor
I’m a sucker for anything in a highlighter hue, so this vivid pink Molly Goddard dress had me at hello. Its lightweight voluminous silhouette is perfect for daytime in the city, and its frilled sleeves provide the perfect amount of warm weather feminine flounce.
Hannah Coates, beauty and wellness editor
I love everything about this Dôen dress: the cornflower blue, the flattering waistline and the fact that it’s long and swooshy (technical term). I will be wearing it every sunny day this summer throws at us.
Joy Montgomery, senior commerce writer
I’ve followed Freya Simonne’s work for a few years now and have fallen in love with the clever way that she creates original garments out of vintage fabrics. Case in point: This midi dress was crafted out of a vintage quilt, which can be seen in the blanket stitching and floral appliqué. A real one-of-a-kind gem.
Olivia Marks, deputy features director
Finding a dress that you can rely upon to see you through the Great British Summer is no easy feat. It needs to be cool enough for an intense but inevitably short-lived heatwave, not so skimpy you’ll freeze in a downpour. Add being pregnant into the mix and, well, that perfect dress becomes even more elusive. Thankfully, I found this glorious gingham number from Clary and Peg – with a pleasingly swishy skirt and sleeves – that I know I’ll be wearing long after my bump is gone (all their clothes are designed to last beyond pregnancy) and this summer’s over. Next on my wishlist? The sage green Phoebe…
Lauren Murdoch-Smith, senior beauty and wellness editor
I like to have dresses that will serve me in the office, the school run and also on holiday, which means a lot of box ticking. It means they need to be lightweight, easy to throw on without much thought and, of course, comfortable. One such dress that ticks the boxes is Ophelia and Indigo’s Cici Geo Dress. I love the colourful print, the fact it has pockets (who doesn’t like a dress with pockets?) and the detachable belt makes it versatile – perfect for summer.
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Originally posted from “British VOGUE” by Naomi Smart
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