The Best Summer Maxi Dresses for Your Closet

A little effort with maxi-mum impact.

16.05.23

By Rebecca Byatt

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The maxi dress. A summer closet staple that will always be close to our hearts. Whether you’re looking to channel bohemian vibes or release your inner senorita, a summer maxi dress is a sure cult favorite whatever the occasion. The best maxi dresses for summer are flowy, breathable and bright.

There are many reasons we love a maxi dress: easy to throw in your carry on, perfect for drinks by the pool, and when paired with cowboy boots, she doubles up as a fool-proof festival look. Read on for the Nasty guide on how to style a maxi dress for summer and our top picks of summer maxi dresses for women 2023.

Maxi Beach Dresses

A necessary addition to any beach bag. Throw on a maxi beach dress over your favorite bikini, a mini bag and some strappy sandals and you’re all set to go from beach to bar. A crochet summer maxi dress is the perfect addition to your vacay baggage. Looks best with a piña colada in hand.

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Tie Dye Plisse Tiered Maxi Beach Dress
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Sheer Knit Plunge Low Back Maxi Beach Dress
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Crinkle Cowl Neck Fringe Maxi Cover Up Dress
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Wave Crochet Cut Out Maxi Beach Dress
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Crinkle Viscose Ruffle Maxi Beach Dress
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Embellished Jellyfish Maxi Cover Up Dress
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Crinkle Viscose Palm Tree Cowl Maxi Dress And Headscarf Set
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Broderie Button Down Cover Up Maxi Dress
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White Summer Maxi Dresses

A white summer maxi dress is a staple for your summer capsule wardrobe. If you’re wanting a long sleeve summer maxi dress, white is the best color to choose because it’s designed to be light and breathable, as it will reflect the light of the sun.

White summer maxi dresses are perfect for highlighting that summer glow and can be your plus one to almost any summer social event. It makes for the best cotton maxi dresses as the light color combined with the breathable and lightweight fabric means that it’ll keep you cool in the warmer temperatures.

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Bridal Embroidery Lace Plunge Maxi Dress
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Petite Angel Sleeve Metallic Maxi Dress
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Nasty Gal X Nick Fierro Tattoo Ruffle Maxi Dress
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Border Floral Print Halter Neck Maxi Dress
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Casual Summer Maxi Dresses

For those more casual summer soirées, an alfresco brunch, a picnic date or a stroll in the park with friends, a casual summer maxi dress is the answer to your prayers. Choose floaty, floral and bright colorways to keep things looking and feeling laidback.

A casual summer maxi dress with sleeves in a breathable fabric such as cotton or linen is perfect for those days in the sun. If you’re wondering on how to style a maxi dress in the summer, pair with sneakers or chunky sandals and accessorize with a straw hat and sunnies.

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Floral Short Sleeve Maxi Dress
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Seam Detail Split Front Denim Bandeau Maxi Dress
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Animal Split Maxi Slip Dress
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Strappy Tiered Maxi Dress
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Satin Lace Insert Trapeze Maxi Dress
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Strappy Tiered Maxi Dress
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Plus Size Maxi Dresses for Summer

Our best plus size maxi dresses for summer are intended to be bright, bold and sexy, whilst keeping you cool as the temperatures rise. Choosing a plus size summer maxi dress with a thigh slit will mean that the maxi dress is able to move with your body and allows air to circulate, leaving you feeling less restricted.

The most flattering maxi dresses are those which draw the attention to the waist and create an empire line – this is usually done with a belt or tie detail and will create an hourglass silhouette.

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Plus Size Cowl Neck Metallic Maxi Slip Dress
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Plus Plunge Halter Floral Maxi Dress
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Plus Lace Trim Satin Maxi Dress
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Plus Size Cut Out Back Maxi Dress
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Plus Size Heart Tiered Maxi Dress
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Sexy Summer Maxi Dresses

If you’re looking for a sexy summer maxi dress for summer date nights or late night parties, then opt for silhouettes with plunging necklines, backless detailing or thigh high slits. Better yet choosing silky, flowy fabrics will still allow you to keep cool on those warm summer evenings. Have fun and play with colorways of red or aqua, or choose a classic, strappy black summer maxi dress for dancing into the early hours.

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Plunge Beaded Maxi Dress
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Pleated Bust Halter Cut Out Maxi Dress
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O Ring Lace Up Maxi Dress
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Abstract Print Satin Halterneck Cut Out Maxi Dress
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Body Print Long Sleeve Maxi Dress
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Sequin Strappy Split Maxi Dress
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Plisse Side Split Shoulder Detail Maxi Dress
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Wanting something to add extra heat to your summer maxi dress? Check out our blog post on our favorite picks of summer accessories for 2023.