The Ultimate Guide to Summer Dresses: Styles, Fit by Body Shape, UK/US Sizing & Best Brands

Author: Tellar Editors | July 2025 | 100% Independent & Honest Fit Guidance

Summer dresses are the staple of warm-weather wardrobes—easy to wear, versatile, and endlessly stylish. Whether you're shopping from UK high street favourites or US designer brands, finding the right style, fit, and fabric for your body shape can make the difference between a flattering favourite and a frustrating return.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

The most flattering summer dress styles
How to shop for your body shape
Key differences between UK & US sizing
Top high street and designer brands
How Tellar.co.uk ensures your summer dresses always fit
A hub of free styling advice and brand fit guides

☀️ Core Summer Dress Styles (and Who They Suit)

1. A-Line Dress

Best for: Pear-shaped, hourglass, and athletic figures
Flares gently from the waist, flattering hips and balancing proportions.

2. Wrap Dress

Best for: Hourglass, apple, or fuller busts
Adjustable tie waist enhances curves and creates definition.

3. Shift Dress

Best for: Apple or straight body shapes
Falls straight down from shoulders, with no waist emphasis.

4. Fit-and-Flare Dress

Best for: Hourglass and petite frames
Fitted top and flared skirt accentuate the waist and elongate the legs.

5. Tiered Maxi Dress

Best for: Tall, rectangular, or curvier frames
Adds soft volume while offering coverage in breathable fabrics.

6. Shirt Dress

Best for: Athletic, curvy, or apple body shapes
Buttoned front allows adjustability at the bust; belt adds waist shape.

👗 How to Shop for Your Body Shape

Understanding your body proportions—bust, waist, and hip ratio—helps you choose the most flattering cuts.

🟩 Hourglass

Look for: Wraps, belted styles, V-necks
Avoid: Boxy or shapeless styles
Guide: The Ultimate Clothing Sizing GuideInstruction on Posts

🟨 Pear-Shaped

Look for: A-line and fit-and-flare dresses
Avoid: Narrow hemlines that exaggerate hips

🟥 Apple-Shaped

Look for: Empire waist, shift dresses, ruching
Avoid: Cinched styles that squeeze the midsection

🟦 Rectangle/Athletic

Look for: Tiered or frilled dresses to add volume
Avoid: Straight cuts without waist emphasis

🟧 Petite

Look for: Above-the-knee styles, vertical detailing
Avoid: Excess fabric or overwhelming maxis
Explore: Best Jeans for Petite WomenInstruction on Posts

🌍 UK vs USA Sizing: What to Know

If you shop both UK and US brands, use this general conversion:

UK Size	US Size
6	2
8	4
10	6
12	8
14	10
16	12

But remember: vanity sizing and brand inconsistencies mean this is only a rough guide.

For precision, read:

🔗 UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes: The Ultimate GuideInstruction on Posts

🛍️ High Street vs Designer: Best Brands by Style

UK High Street Picks

Brand	Known For	Size Fit
White Stuff	Cotton & linen summer dresses	Generous, easy fit
Nobody’s Child	Sustainable midis in viscose	True to size
Albaray	TENCEL™ and cotton blends	Modern cuts, UK sizing
FatFace	Laid-back chambray styles	Relaxed fit, size down if between
Joules	Classic shirting & prints	True UK sizing

🛒 Try: White Stuff sizing guideInstruction on Posts

US & European Designer Picks

Brand	Known For	Size Fit
Reformation	Feminine linen & silk styles	Fitted bodices, often runs small
Mango	Flowy midis and occasionwear	Generally true to EU sizing
Massimo Dutti	Tailored summer styles	Slim-fit EU sizing
Sézane	Bohemian wrap and midi dresses	French sizing, size up if between

Read:

🔗 Mango Sizing GuideInstruction on Posts

🔗 Massimo Dutti Fit ReviewInstruction on Posts

🔍 How Tellar.co.uk Takes the Guesswork Out of Dress Shopping

No matter the brand or price point, your summer dress must fit your shape—especially around the bust, waist, and hips. That’s where tellar.co.uk comes in.

What is Tellar?

UK’s leading sizing tool for women’s fashion
Matches your body measurements to 1,500+ brands
Works for UK, US & EU labels
No downloads, always free

Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to instantly find your perfect size—whether it’s Reiss, Mango, COS, or Massimo DuttiInstruction on Posts

📏 How It Works

Create your profile with bust, waist, and hip sizes
Tellar compares it to each brand’s actual size chart
You get a real-time size match, fit notes, and styling tips
Works whether you measure manually or use your known brand fit

Start now:

➡️ tellar.co.ukInstruction on Posts

🧭 Explore the Free Fashion Hub

In addition to sizing, Tellar offers a free style and fit library with thousands of honest, unbiased fashion posts:

🔗 The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Clothes SizeInstruction on Posts

🔗 The Ultimate Guide to Smart Casual BlazersInstruction on Posts

🔗 The Ultimate Guide to Flattering Jeans for Every Body ShapeInstruction on Posts

🔗 Next Sizing Guide – Fit BreakdownInstruction on Posts

Whether you’re shopping for high street basics or designer investments, Tellar helps you shop smarter, not just more.

📣 Follow Tellar for Styling Deep Dives & Fit Education

We publish weekly fit science, shape advice, and trend analysis—always independent, never influenced by brand sponsorships.

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

Final Word

Whether you're searching for a beach-ready linen wrap dress or a structured A-line for city heat, the perfect summer dress is out there. But fit varies massively across brands, styles, and sizing systems.

That’s why Tellar.co.uk exists—to make fashion easier, more accurate, and less wasteful. With real body matching, live brand fit comparisons, and a library of free fashion content, you’ll never guess your size again.

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

Start now at tellar.co.ukInstruction on Posts