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 M&S, 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 of late thanks to its refined silhouettes.
For an easy everyday look, throw a linen dress on with a pair of chunky sandals, whether that be fisherman sandals or the 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.
Best Linen Dresses At A Glance:
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
M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
I spotted this cami dress on Monikh Dale on Instagram and have been thinking about it ever since. It's so easy – you literally just throw it on and go – but looks really stylish and super-expensive. You can keep accessories to a minimum and rest assured you will not be overheating, whatever the weather is doing.
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 red kitten heels and a gold bag.
www.cos.com
Printed linen is not easy to find, especially not in such a chic form as this. Try with ballet pumps for days when you need to feel more put-together and then wear barefoot on the beach/in your garden to feel like your best summer self.
ALIGNEaligne.co
ALIGNE's famous waistcoat did the rounds earlier this year, and now they've made the same style available as a dress. A linen dress. The best thing about this ALIGNE 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.
www.zimmermann.com
Few brands do dresses as well as Zimmermann, particularly when it comes to summer. This polka dot midi, with its puff sleeves and simple shape, is a dream. Try with trainers for a dressed-down weekend vibe.
Abercrombie & Fitchwww.abercrombie.com
For any formal events you have coming up on the social calendar, this Abercrombie & Fitch dress in the shade 'french blue' 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 side-slit detailing on the leg.
Zarawww.zara.com
This linen dress from Zara is great because it features a one-shoulder, asymmetric design that literally never goes out of style, and comes in a chic classic black that's perfect for any formal event.
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.
Harvey Nicholswww.net-a-porter.com
This remarkable dress from Faithful The Brand is quite frankly a work of art. With its floral and Roma print, the linen dress is handmade and features intricate details like a button-fastening keyhole at the back and a braided waist tie.
John Lewisshop.mango.com
This Mango dress is made with a cool linen mix material perfect for any occasion. With a flared silhouette and a ruffled hem, this dress would work well casually or formally, paired with some trending retro trainers or black slingback kitten heels.
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.
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).