Shopping

The dresses you need for every kind of summer occasion

By Amelie Langenskiöld

Photo: Zimmermann

Our favourite designers have truly made case for the frock this summer. Here are some of our top picks for all of the season's ocassions

All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Summer’s (almost) heating up and the warm breezes of May have us yearning for a new dress investment. For the sun-drenched season ahead, we're advocating for an embrace the dress in all its versatile glory.

Day or night, city or countryside, office or bar – our favourite designers have truly made case for the frock this summer. Here, Vogue Scandinavia hand-picks the 48 best dresses to suit any kind of schedule or sojourn.

Everyday comfort

Finding summer's perfect everyday dress can feel like the search for a needle in a haystack. So this season, we've done the hard-yards for you, narrowing the overwhelming choices down to the eight ultimate dresses that can adapt to day-to-day demands. Ganni's denim mini dress will be one of the most hardworking in your wardrobe, while those with longer sleeves will lend themselves to the season's cooler days.


Ischia shirred cotton-blend voile midi dress

Dôen

SHOP NOWEUR 372
Floral-print satin maxi dress

Rotate

SHOP NOWEUR 250
Drape mini dress

Weekday

SHOP NOWEUR 39
Sleeveless cotton tee dress vanilla

Toteme

SHOP NOWEUR 220
Ava stripe-print minidress

Rebecca Vallance

SHOP NOWEUR 672
Denim blue denim mini dress

Ganni

SHOP NOWEUR 375
Paola dress

Le Petit Trou

SHOP NOWEUR 420
Lanney organic cotton maxi dress

By Malene Birger

SHOP NOWEUR 230

Daytime parties

Is your summer calendar filling up with daytime parties and indulgences? We recommend opting for dresses that are flowing and feminine – with veering into territory that may be too formal. To fit the mood, look at combining no more than two significant design features, such as a pattern, a mini silhouette or interesting straps.


Biarritz lace-trimmed silk crepe de chine maxi dress

Faithful

SHOP NOWEUR 490
Lolita italian rose print cotton corset sundress

House of CB

SHOP NOWEUR 222
Dily asymmetric striped cotton-blend georgette dress

Siedrés

SHOP NOWEUR 370
Velvet-trimmed recycled floral-jacquard mini dress

Ganni

SHOP NOWEUR 325
Esha cut out dress

Viktoria Chan

SHOP NOWEUR 285
Sandrine floral jacquard midi dress

Rixa

SHOP NOWEUR 295
Printed midi dress

Jacques Wei

SHOP NOWEUR 500
Bold shoulder printed cotton minidress

La Double J

SHOP NOWEUR 490

Evening festivites

Extended daylight hours and warm evenings make it inevitable that you'll be an after-hours social butterfly this summer. Lean into the mood of the season and don't be afraid to show a little skin. Our picks feature eye-catching details, as mastered by Taller Marmo and Costarellos, and barely-there spaghetti straps as perfected by By Malina, Staud and Filippa K.


Aries lace-trimmed silk slip dress

SIR

SHOP NOWEUR 565
One-Shoulder midi dress

& Other Stories

SHOP NOWEUR 89
Eliza maxi dress

By Malina

SHOP NOWEUR 390
Jolli embroidered mesh maxi dress

Siedrés

SHOP NOWEUR 425
Cadence embellished satin maxi dress

Staud

SHOP NOWEUR 685
Structure frill dress

Filippa K

SHOP NOWEUR 555
Charmain plissé georgette gown

Costarellos

SHOP NOWEUR 1465
Fringed cutout kaftan

Taller Marmo

SHOP NOWEUR 1200

Office appropriate

When it comes to office appropriate, many often play it safe and look past the dresses in their wardrobes. But this season, Vogue Scandinavia begs to differ. If you're in a very corporate environment, a shirt dress by Polo Ralph Lauren or Stylein will tick all the right boxes. Or, if your role is more demanding of physical movement and time on your feet, a midi-length cut and fabric with natural stretch will maintain your professional comfort and confidence.


Sequin-embellished bouclé-tweed mini dress

Self-Portrait

SHOP NOWEUR 475
Pisano cotton-blend midi dress

Max Mara

SHOP NOWEUR 199
Belted cotton jersey midi dress

Lemaire

SHOP NOWEUR 290
Taunton jersey midi dress

Varley

SHOP NOWEUR 155
Pleated-skirt short-sleeve dress

Claudie Pierlot

SHOP NOWEUR 285
Striped belted shirt dress

Polo Ralph Lauren

SHOP NOWEUR 249
Gathered asymmetric midi dress

COS

SHOP NOWEUR 89
Jeanette dress

Stylein

SHOP NOWEUR 219

Beach days

As summer is approaching, the beach days are getting closer by the hour. There is no other feeling like putting on that perfectly sheer, lightweight dress, with your favourite bikini underneath and a pair of summer shoes on your feet. This season, styles by Bananhot and Missoni are turning our heads.


Kira ruched midi dress

Jade Swim

SHOP NOWEUR 280
Lucy crocheted cotton maxi dress

Leset

SHOP NOWEUR 780
Sahara cowl neck maxi dress

Bananhot

SHOP NOWEUR 200
Knitted mini dress

& Other Stories

SHOP NOWEUR 79
Mare striped metallic crochet-knit maxi dress

Missoni

SHOP NOWEUR 1190
Zebra-print maxi dress

Rotate

SHOP NOWEUR 359
Openwork beach maxi dress

Ganni

SHOP NOWEUR 204
Striped linen-blend tunic

Lisa Marie Fernandez

SHOP NOWEUR 585

More formal affairs

Summer's elegant pleasures – think a brunch with your in-laws, a museum visit or sun-drenched afternoon tea – all deserve a dress of equal elegance. This is something that can be defined in many ways, but it most commonly calls for a dress that falls beyond the knees. In other cases, we believe a mini dress with the right details, like an voluminous sleeve, high boat neck or elegant belt detail, can also make the cut in this category.


Bright yard cotton minidress

Farm Rio

SHOP NOWEUR 235
Blaire dress

Saks Potts

SHOP NOWEUR 620
Floral-print belted minidress

Zimmermann

SHOP NOWEUR 925
Paradiso linen midi dress

Alemais

SHOP NOWEUR 607
Verona dress

Adoore

SHOP NOWEUR 160
Frankie silk satin long dress

Reformation

SHOP NOWEUR 348
One-shoulder dress

H&M

SHOP NOWEUR 70
Amma dress

Baum und Pferdgarten

SHOP NOWEUR 429