Whilst the LBD will always be a year round classic, there's something to be said for its more angelic cousin, the white dress. Synonymous with bridalwear, white dresses can sometimes be overlooked as a wardrobe staple despite being one of the most versatile. Wedding dresses aside, a white frock makes a perfect casual outfit, easy to dress up or down depending on your plans and will carry you straight through until winter (just swap sandals for long biker boots, obvs).
Cult favourites have already emerged for the summer season. M&S’ sell-out cotton square neck midi (that comes in at a cool £32) has gained cult status whilst Dôen’s milkmaid style dresses are the quintessential summer dresses.
What should you wear with a white dress?
Well, anything goes. Embrace the boho trend and pair yours with chunky shell necklaces and beaded sandals or try something a little tougher with ‘00s belts, black biker boots and sunnies. I usually wear mine with Birkenstocks, sunglasses, gold rings and a straw bag – the easiest summer outfit in my opinion.
www.asos.com
I loved this corseted dress, it's tight at the top but elasticated so will fit whatever your bust size. The structured sleeves keep their shape and the dress is fully lined so won;t show any underwear through. Plus there are pockets - the holy grail of dress detailing.
Editors Pick
www.zara.com
The Zara balloon dress was one of my favourites from everything I tried on, comfy, stretchy but with a voluminous long skirt that's so easy to throw on. I'll be wearing on repeat with seashell necklaces, boho sandals all summer long.
www.marksandspencer.com
Floaty but with structured pleat detailing, M&S' linen dress feels really luxurious to wear. I found the sizing came up a little large so keep in mind when picking what size to try.
Sale Pick
www.arket.com
This is a lot longer than it looks on the model online, I loved the length and would wear as a throw on maxi dress on holiday or with chunky black sandals for hot office days. The fabric is lightweight and almost sheer so opt for nude coloured underwear beneath for more coverage.
www.reiss.com
I loved the feel of this fabric as it's super soft but still feels structured, the drop waist is bang on trend for summer 2024. Plus, it's fully lined and is plenty of fabric used to give fabulous volume in the sleeves and skirt - shop this one quick as it's currently £150 off.
shop.mango.com
A beautiful boho summer holiday dress, the length is great but be warned as it fits quite tightly on the chest so I'd definitely size up if you have bigger boobs.
www.cos.com
This thick jersey fabric feels flattering to wear especially with the side ruching - wear with kitten heels or leather loafers for an office friendly white dress or with leather flip-flips and supersized sunglasses for summer in the city.
I was surprised how much I loved this dress as I usually go for oversized, baggy silhouetted. The side gathers and high neckline combined with a textured fabric makes this really flattering to wear. I'm sold.
www.massimodutti.com
I'll be wearing this on summer holiday on repeat (or at home imagining I'm on holiday) made from floaty linen blend fabric the straight neckline and double layering makes this dress look super chic and effortless.
www.jigsaw-online.com
If you're looking for a summer dress with sleeves, this is a great option. Easy, breezy and beautiful, this jacquard fabric feels expensive and gives a little more detail than plain white.
www.sezane.com
Another smarter white dress option that's office-friendly is this Sézane belted denim dress, available in 4 other colouways if you're not keen on cream (or spill easily).
rixolondon.com
I little higher price-point than others I tried on but worth the money in my opinion. The neckline and straps felt really flattering and the ruffle means you can wear a bra without any straps showing. If you're under 5'3" this style is also available in petite, too.
Can you wear a white dress to a party?
A white dress makes a wonderful party outfit. In my experience, stick to a 'clear drinks only' policy and add statement jewellery to take your outfit up a notch. If you’re heading to a hen do, bridal shower or a wedding then steer clear, even if the bride doesn’t explicitly say ‘no white dresses’ it’ll avoid any self-conscious moments.
Are white dresses flattering?
Anyone can look fabulous in a white dress, a shade that suits all skin tones and always looks chic. The key thing to remember, is what's going underneath. Skin-tone underwear is important, as even white undies can often show through. For extra coverage, I usually wear a pair of beige cycling shorts (sexy, I know) underneath as white fabrics have a tendency to run a little sheer.
Julia Harvey is the shopping editor for Grazia for the past two and a half years, overseeing and editing all things shopping for the title from trend pages, gift guides and the best things to buy now in both print and online. Having previously worked at other women's magazines, Elle UK, Glamour and British Vogue, Julia has gained over eight years experience within the fashion industry in graduating from Nottingham Trent University with a First Class degree in Fashion Communication and Promotion.