Linen dresses are the cool girl's hot weather ammo, so here are the best to keep you looking fresh in the heatwave

We’re in the midst of – what can only be described as – a total scorcher right now... and linen dresses are the only thing that can save us. Things are heating up big time, and temperatures are set to soar even higher. Sure, the sunshine is great for our moods and for boosting that tan – but when it comes to making sartorial choices that allow you to look “put together” as you venture outside? Things begin to get tricky.

We’ve always been jealous of anyone who can wear something other than a bikini and still look cool and collected in 30-degree-heat. Namely: the influencers of the world who seemingly manage to avoid sweat and looking sticky like the plague. How on earth do they do it?

For SS22, the answer is simple. Their hot-weather ammo is the humble linen dress, and we're urging you to invest.

27 best floaty dresses that you can throw on and go

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By Georgia Trodd

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It’s hard to imagine a more perfect summer trend than linen. Granted, the fabric has been around for decades, but only recently has it become such a cool-girl staple. Once reminiscent of mums kicking back en vacance, it started to experience something of a resurgence thanks to the likes of Jacquemus, Zimmermann, Chloé and Sleeper. This season, linen dresses are cooler (quite literally) than ever. Searches for linen are up with linen dresses even more so. Labels including Arket, COS and H&M all but making them their USP, while Stitch Fix users stuff their styling notes with linen, linen, linen in the hope of seeing their favourite high-street number within.

When it comes to colour palettes, make a beeline for neutrals such as beige, white and black, but also keep an eye on the vibrant hues (think: Barbiecore and Granny Smith green). The cottagecore dresses trend isn’t going anywhere either: linen + puffed sleeves = this summer's dream. Oh, and if you're anything of an interiors buff then you'll be pleased to know linen bedding is set to be a summer favourite again this year. Natural fibres all round, we say.

Here are the best linen dresses to shop, from our favourite designers to the most stylish picks on the high street.