The Ultimate Guide to Summer Dresses: Styles, Body Shape Tips & Best Brands (UK & USA)

When temperatures rise, few garments are as versatile and flattering as the summer dress. It’s the hero of warm-weather wardrobes—comfortable, effortless, and instantly stylish. Whether you’re dressing for a holiday, a workday, or a garden party, choosing the right summer dress is all about fabric, cut, and fit.

In this guide, we break down every major style, how to pick the right one for your body shape, and the best brands (both high street and designer) to buy now. Plus: how to guarantee the perfect fit with Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool.

What Makes the Perfect Summer Dress?

A great summer dress should:

Be breathable (think cotton, linen, or viscose)
Offer movement without clinging
Reflect your personal style and flatter your body shape
Transition easily from day to night with a change of accessories

From strappy midis to structured shirt dresses, your ideal style depends on both your frame and your lifestyle.

The Best Summer Dress Styles

1. The Shirt Dress

Smart yet relaxed, it’s ideal for office days or city breaks. Usually tailored with buttons, a collar and waist tie.

Best for: Rectangle, hourglass, and pear shapes
Styling tip: Pair with structured sandals and a raffia bag

2. The Slip Dress

Cut on the bias for gentle drape. Often made of satin or viscose.

Best for: Petite, straight, or softly curved bodies
Styling tip: Add a cropped denim jacket or oversized linen blazer

3. The Tiered Dress

Floaty with gathered seams, creating volume.

Best for: Apple and rectangle shapes—adds shape while skimming midsection
Styling tip: Choose natural fibres to avoid looking too billowy

4. The Wrap Dress

Universally flattering and waist-defining.

Best for: Hourglass, pear, and curvy figures
Styling tip: Use prints to draw the eye toward the waistline

5. The Smock Dress

Loose, oversized fit—perfect for very hot weather.

Best for: Pear, apple, and early pregnancy
Styling tip: Balance volume with ankle-tie sandals and a low bun

6. The Bodycon Dress

Clingy and fitted, usually in jersey or rib knit.

Best for: Hourglass, athletic, or confident shapes
Styling tip: Elevate with a linen shirt worn open for coverage

7. The Midi Tea Dress

Mid-length, soft sleeves, and a fitted bust.

Best for: Most body shapes, especially petite or curvy
Styling tip: Great with trainers or strappy flats for summer events

Best Summer Dresses for Each Body Shape

🍐 Pear Shape

Go for: A-line, wrap, or fit-and-flare styles that skim the hips
Avoid: Tight bodycon or drop-waist styles
Try: Shirt dresses with structure on the top half

🍎 Apple Shape

Go for: Empire waist, smock, or tiered dresses
Avoid: Belts at the natural waist
Try: Dresses with subtle shaping under the bust

⏳ Hourglass

Go for: Wrap, belted, or fitted midis
Avoid: Oversized dresses without waist definition
Try: V-necks and sweetheart necklines

🧊 Rectangle

Go for: Dresses that add volume or use ruching at the waist
Avoid: Straight, shapeless styles
Try: Bias-cut slips or belted styles with curved seams

🔻 Inverted Triangle

Go for: Tiered or pleated skirts, halter necklines
Avoid: Puffed sleeves or shoulder embellishments
Try: Dresses that visually widen the lower half

Best Fabrics for Summer Dresses

Cotton Poplin – crisp, cool, and breathable
Linen – airy and timeless (though prone to creasing)
Viscose/Rayon – smooth and drapey, perfect for slips or tea dresses
Tencel – sustainable and breathable with a soft hand-feel
Lightweight Crepe – adds movement and elegance

Avoid heavy polyester blends that trap heat or overly synthetic fibres that don’t breathe.

High Street Brands for Summer Dresses (UK & USA)

🇬🇧 UK High Street

Arket – Tailored shirt dresses, bias-cut slips, and breathable cotton styles
Nobody’s Child – Affordable, sustainable tea and wrap dresses in UK sizes 6–18
M&S – Linen-rich, curve-friendly styles with wider size ranges
Monki – Quirky prints, oversized shapes, and petite-friendly fits
Whistles – Polished summer dresses for smart-casual wear

🇺🇸 US High Street

Everlane – Minimal, structured cotton and Tencel options
& Other Stories – European cuts, floral prints, and drapey silhouettes
Madewell – Relaxed, boho-inspired styles in natural fibres
Anthropologie – Statement prints, inclusive sizing, and fit-flexible styles
Reformation – Sustainable and sexy, though may run small

Designer Brands Worth Investing In

Ganni – Bold, breathable cottons and signature wrap silhouettes
Staud – Fashion-forward cuts in high-quality summer materials
Cefinn – Sophisticated midis for warm weather workwear
Zimmermann – Luxe prints, romantic shapes—ideal for events
TOVE – Understated and elegant, with impeccable draping

Struggling With Fit? Let Tellar.co.uk Do It for You

Sizing in summer dresses is a minefield. A “UK 12” can mean anything from busty-fit to barely-breathable depending on the brand.

Tellar.co.uk removes the uncertainty by matching your real body measurements to each store’s actual cut—no guesswork.

How Tellar.co.uk Works

✅ Enter your body measurements (bust, waist, hips) once

✅ Or select a size that fits you well in a known brand

✅ Instantly see your precise size across 1,500+ brands

✅ Works on high street and designer labels

✅ No downloads, always free, fully browser-based

Use the Store Size Lookup tool for real-time results in COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket & more.

Get Started

➡️ Create your free Tellar profile

➡️ Use the size lookup tool

➡️ Download your free printable measuring tape

Explore the Tellar Fashion Hub

Tellar isn’t just a tool—it’s a fashion and fit education platform. Every post is:

Honest
Unbiased
Expert-written
Always Free

Discover:

📌 The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

📌 UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes

📌 Finding Your Clothes Size

📌 Flattering Jeans for Every Body Shape

Follow Tellar for Daily Style & Fit Advice

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: TellarSizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

Final Thought:

Whether you’re petite, curvy, tall, or in-between—there is a summer dress that’s made for you. Tellar.co.uk helps you find it faster, in your exact size, from over 1,500 brands.

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”