An easy breezy summer dress is a must-have during the heatwave. Whether you’re heading to the office, have a hot date or a more formal soiree, a dress is the perfect go-to for when you want that easy option that looks effortlessly chic.
Whether you love a mini moment or want more of a maxi impact, the NEW styles from our Dopamine and High edits are here to elevate your summer wardrobe, no matter the occasion.
Read on as we reveal our five favourites…
Pantone chose Viva Magenta as its colour of the year and this perfect pink hue is ideal for dialling up the drama this summer. A shade not to be missed, it’s also considered the colour of creativity, kindness and independence – three words we think embody the Emma Wallace woman! Our Teea Dress in vivid pink taps into this trend for those who love to stand out. With a curved empire seam and fluted sleeves, it’s a flattering style for every figure. Ideal as a wedding guest dress (just add cute, heeled courts, a hat and clutch bag) but equally as wonderful worn with white sneakers, an basket bag and oversized sunnies for a weekend brunch date.
Costume-inspired details such as balloon silhouettes, puff-sleeves, corsetry, and capes were high up on the agenda for SS23. Regencycore is here to stay, so if you’re wanting to dial up your Mr Darcy dreams, then our Mailee Gown is your go-to this summer. Featuring a bodice style top with an open back and full skirt, it’s what your Bridgeton dreams were made of. Featuring our Florence floral print, it’s the ideal dress for weddings (wear with a metallic sandal and clutch bag) or pop on a chunky platform and oversized tote for more of a back garden soiree.
The SS23 catwalks may have taken place when the rain was drizzling, but one thing that was evident was every designer’s desire to inject some sunny hues into their collection. Yellow was a hot shade with everyone needing a dose of dopamine dressing. Sunshine shades were bold and bright and nothing quite commands attention like a citrus colourway. Our Fleur dress dials up this happiness with its colour block design that mixes lemon and lime for a look that will instantly make everyone smile. Wear with chunky black sandals and a 90s inspired minimal shoulder bag for running errands or dial up the sex appeal with sky high stilettos, a blow dry and clutch for rooftop cocktails with that potential love interest.
Florals are always in, but in lieu of precise, photo-style prints, this summer it’s all about painterly florals where designers including the likes of Dries Van Noten and Richard Quinn have taken a more paintbrush approach with softer blooms in watercolour finishes. Our Teea Dress in our gorgeous Florence print showcases this style effortlessly. Crafted in silk, it’s cool, calm and collected. Wear with a pair of Birkenstocks, a raffia bag and a matching headband for sightseeing on holiday, or get glamorous by wearing with sky high stilettos, a slicked back bun and a clutch by night.
Bow details reigned supreme on the SS23 catwalks with the likes of Susan Fang, Erdem and Richard Quinn all showing of this flirty, feminine touch. Our Ida Dress taps into this trend with a bow tie shoulder detail and ruffled skirt in our Romani print. Wear it with a pair of classic loafers, thick rim glasses and an oversized tote to look stylish in the office this summer, or swap for sneakers and a cute backpack for a look that works for lunch with your besties.
Dresses are definitely the hardest working items in any wardrobe this summer, so be sure to invest in the heroes you’ll love all season long.