Summer Dress Style Guide

Going on your dream European beach vacation? Whether it’s for a local day trip to the beach or a far flung destination, these are the best dresses to pack for a vacation.

From Bella Dahl the Pullover Puff Sleeve Dress is 100% linen and available in core neutrals White and Black or if you’re looking for a pop of colour, Rose Bush pink. We think this is a go to vacation dress due to its versatility and low maintenance care. Given it’s 100% linen, this can be worn on a hot day since linen is a breathable fabric with natural sweat wicking properties. It will protect you from the sun's strong rays and regulate your temperature to ensure you don’t overheat. The Pullover Puff Sleeve Dress is a mini dress which gives a summery vibe balanced with an elbow hitting sleeve and playful puff sleeve. It’s a boho-styled mini sundress that can be styled with just about anything: Tkees for the beach, a low block heel from Intentionally Blank for a night out or Birkenstocks for a long day of sightseeing. This dress has legs and can wear many hats (while looking good in one too). Another accessory that deserves high praise is a headscarf. If you’re wearing the Pullover Puff sleeve in white or black but want a splash of colour, consider wearing a headscarf. It’s equal parts chic and practical when it comes to protecting your head from the sun. We adore the Chan Luu Embroidered Floral Bandana available in a veritable rainbow of dusty hues and prints. Take one of these with you and it’ll become your new sidekick. 

To care for a linen garment, machine wash on a gentle setting in cold water or hand wash in cold water and hang or lay flat to dry. It’s so simple to care for which is why a linen sundress is the ultimate piece for a beach vacation, or any hot summer day. For more on linen and how to properly care for it, check out our Best Linen Outfits for Summer post.

Staud does it again with the Wells Dress. Available in Navy and Blue Toile this is your answer to what to wear to summer events. Depending on where you work, the Navy is versatile enough to wear to work and après-work if you have an event and there’s no time to go home beforehand. Featuring a corset-style panel that falls into an A-line, midi length, The Wells dress is 95% cotton and 5% spandex for a bit of stretch. This dress is as flattering as it is beautiful. It’s a perfect midi dress to wear in the summer due to its (mostly) cotton composition and endless styling options. If you’re not into going all out, dress the Wells dress down with the Classy Jelly Mary Janes from Intentionally Blank. Frankly, these are the only flats we can fathom wearing this summer given the breezy, perforated composition and comfortable padded insole. The Classy Jelly Mary Janes are available in three colourways: Mocha, Crystal and Cherry. These shoes deserve MVP this summer for their versatility, comfort and throwback yet contemporary jelly style that we can’t get enough of. Let’s not forget summer’s favourite new accessory - the scarf. The Porcelain Blue Embroidered Floral Bandana from Chan Luu can easily pair with the Wells. Wear this around your wrist, the handle of your handbag, in a pony tail or tied around your waist. Since the Wells is streamlined and fitted to the body, you can easily work in the waist scarf trend with the Wells.

Another Staud beauty is the Laura Linen Dress in Blue Haze. This may be the ultimate versatile dress given it's linen and can be styled with flip flops or heels. The straight cut across the neckline and thin straps give this dress a hint of elegance while the bright blue pattern gives it an edge. Style with the Tkees Lily Glitters in Gleam or Lily Liners in Sable. The Laura Linen Dress can be styled for events as well. Dress it up with the Staud Bea Mule in Silver and the Ollie Bag for an evening bag.

Apiece Apart Siempre dress is another go-to for summer dresses since we love their 100% cotton composition, solid colourways and beautiful prints. The smocked bodice creates a beautiful texture and comfortable feature. There’s a debate among the team here at Hill’s Dry Goods whether or not this dress is a midi-dress or a maxi-dress, but what really matters is how you feel in it. This is a summer classic and reliable dress for its flattering cut and breathability. Available in Navy Floral Stamp and Midnight. We love how this dress can transition to a hot day out and about on the town or a garden party at twilight. Style with heels such as the Bea Mule or Brigitte Wedge from Staud, the Anca Heel from Intentionally Blank, Classy Jelly Mary Janes or Tkees flip flops. If you're wondering what shoes to wear with a sundress, there are endless footwear options when it comes to the Siempre dress.

For additional summer dress styles, you really can’t go wrong with a white sundress. A white sundress is the quintessential summer dress. In our books, the Eyelet Mini Tank Dress from The Great is the perfect white summer dress. The cotton composition is guaranteed to keep you cool and comfortable even in oppressive heat. The Eyelet Mini Tank Dress is made from soft, lightweight cotton voile and features Victorian-inspired eyelet trim around the neckline and at the bottom edge. It has a relaxed, flowy fit with a scooped neckline in the front and back. Dainty shoulder straps with scalloped edges add softness to the shape while the swingy hem hits at mid-thigh. Wear this with the Chan Luu scarf in Acacia around the waist or tied around your head for a cute and protective accessory. The Eyelet Mini Dress can be styled with flats such as the Classy Jelly Mary Janes, Tkees flip flops, Birkenstocks and even the adidas Tokyo sneakers. This dress can be worn by the lake at the cabin, at a country market or biking around the city.

When it comes to summer dresses and sun dresses, you simply can't go wrong wearing a dress on a summer day. No matter what the occasion or the weather has in store, having a summer dress you can depend on can make or break your summer - at least from the perspective of your wardrobe.