Few summer dresses are as great as the humble linen dress. As much as we enjoy milkmaid dresses, slip dresses and wrap dresses, they don't possess the chic minimalism, the je ne sais quoi, if you will, of the classic linen dress. When it comes enduring a British heatwave, the breathable quality of linen is perhaps the only way to survive.
Of course, linen has been around for years and years but, thanks to luxury brands like Dôen and Zimmerman, as well as high street heroes such as COS and Uniqlo, linen dresses are more popular than ever. Not only are linen dresses - quite literally - very cool, they're easy to throw on and incredibly easy to style, too.
There's also a host of Aussie labels (other than Zimmermann, obviously) which have become renowned for their stylish take on linen. There's Faithfull The Brand, which has long been a favourite with some of the best-dressed women on Instagram, while Dissh has quietly amassed a very strong following recently thanks to its refined silhouettes.
For an easy everyday look, throw on a linen dress with a pair of chunky sandals, whether your footwear of choice is suede sandals or the high fashion staple Ginza Flip Flops from The Row. Add a straw bag and a statement pair of earrings and you're ready to stroll around whichever European city takes your fancy.
Alternatively, to dress up a linen dress for cocktail hour or any other fancy plans you may have this summer, invest in a pair of colourful heels from brands such as Aquazzura, swap your go-to raffia tote for a clutch bag and add a chunky beaded necklace.
Naturally, we've scoured the market to bring you only the very best linen dresses available now. So, keep scrolling to meet your new summer essential.
Shop: The Best Linen Dresses
Mango, Halter-Neck Dress
M&SI spotted this cami dress on Chloé Lloyd on Instagram last week and have been thinking about it ever since. It's so breezy and simple, just throw it on and you'll look stylish and super elegant with ease. You can keep accessories to a minimum and rest assured you will not be overheating, whatever the weather is doing. Alternatively, follow Chloé's lead and throw a lightweight jumper over your shoulders for a preppy look that's perfect for breezy summer evenings.
Zarawww.zara.com
Printed linen isn't easy to come by, but Zara does it exceptionally well with this floral midi. With its breezy darted A-line skirt, halter-neck straps and tropical palette, it's practically a necessity in any holiday suitcase.
www.cos.com
COS is usually our first port of call for quality basics and its linen dresses are just as chic as you'd expect. Wear this textured mini with flip flops to the beach or with ballet flats for a a weekend stroll in the park.
John Lewiswww.boden.com
Another great butter yellow dress, this one comes tinged with '50's nostalgia thanks to its sweetheart neckline and fit and flare silhouette. Wedges and a bouncy bout will make this one of your best sartorial weapon for any summer event.
Massimo Duttiwww.massimodutti.com
For warmer summer evenings, slip into something cool like this 100% linen dress from Massimo Dutti. If you're headed out to a garden party or a rooftop bar, this dress would be perfect styled with a statement pair of kitten heels and a gold bag.
ALIGNEaligne.co
ALIGNE's famous waistcoat is a cult-favourite amongst London's best dressed, and now they've made the same style available as a dress. A linen dress. The best thing about this mini dress is that it's completely fuss-free, meaning you can just throw it on with a pair of flat sandals and you're good to go.
Abercrombie & Fitchwww.abercrombie.com
For any picnics or bank holiday day trips you've got planned this month, this Abercrombie & Fitch mini in a red gingham print might be the answer to keeping cool but still looking great. The fit of this dress is also super flattering, with centre-back smocking and a slight flare at the hem. Plus, the linen-blend means it won't crease quite as easily.
On sale
Whistles
For a mix of two things that scream summer - bold prints and bold colours - this Whistles dress fits the brief. Keep it simple with the accessories and style with classic ballet flats and a straw bag.
www.net-a-porter.com
Few brands do summer dresses as well as Zimmermann and this linen midi is proof. While the brand is known for painterly florals, this polka dot midi is made just as whimsical with its one shoulder neckline topped with an adjustable bow. Of course, sandals and a raffia bag are a winning combination, but you could also style it with trainers for a dressed-down weekend vibe.
John Lewiswww.jigsaw-online.com
If you're stocked up on spring pastels, Jigsaw's chocolate brown linen midi is great for formal occasions. While the simple silhouette is undoubtedly chic and flattering, the scallop trim around the neckline adds a playful touch.
Harvey Nicholswww.net-a-porter.com
This remarkable dress from Faithfull The Brand is quite frankly the best we've seen this season. With its elegant off shoulder neckline and neat vertical seam detailing along the bodice, it's easily the most timeless piece you buy this season.
John Lewiswww.thereformation.com
Social calendar filling up already? Reformation's Monet dress is perfect for every spring occasion, from weddings to garden parties and elegant sundowners on a rooftop. While the pale blue floral iteration is our personal favourite, solid black and red are ideal alternatives for minimalists.
What makes linen so cooling?
Linen is an unbeatable choice for the warmer months - we've already established that. Derived from the flax plant, linen fibres are highly breathable and allow air to flow freely around your body, particularly in dress-form. This helps to regulate your body temperate even in the (occasional) sweltering summer heat. The coarse texture can also help create a gentle cooling effect. The topline is, linen is pretty great.
How to take care of linen?
While linen's natural creases add to its relaxed charm it pays to take care of your treasured pieces to make them last longer. Make sure to machine wash line on the gentlest cycle or hand-wash in lukewarm water. Avoid the dryer and line dry your linen dresses to avoid creasing before wear and make sure to steam or iron when damp for a clean, wrinkle-free look.
Gemma Lavers is a Fashion Writer at Bauer Media, writing for brands like Grazia, heat and Closer. Gemma specialises in all things fashion and enjoys outfit planning (especially for holidays), scrolling social media for the next trend and shopping (probably for a new coat).
Hitanshi Kamdar is a senior commerce writer for Grazia. Hitanshi is always on the hunt for the latest trends, emerging designers and the internet’s most bizarre style discourse. When not writing, she can be found IDing outfits during Netflix binges and shopping for the latest It-girl shoe trends.