21 best summer dresses that are already selling out, seen on editors

Updating my roster of summer dresses is of the utmost importance to me RN. Temperatures are starting to creep above 20°C, the sun is (mostly) back, I haven't worn a coat in over a month, and they're the easiest things to throw on and go when you don't want to think about what to wear.

Plus, let's be real, a good summer frock will actually see you through from now 'til October, when it's time to dig out your knitwear all over again. There are so many ways to style summer dresses that you will never, ever get bored. The best summer dresses layer well – be it with a white t-shirt underneath or a trench coat over top – can be stripped back, and styled up.

They're also the only silhouette you're guaranteed to see more than one of on every spring/summer runway, and, as per usual, there's a smorgasbord of shapes, lengths, colours and fabrics to choose from for 2026.

Celine, Max Mara and Chanel prove that black is perennial, whether maxi, midi or mini, while McQueen, Victoria Beckham and Miu Miu spotlighted a few silhouettes in this year's favourite colour; blue.

READ MORE: How to style a sundress in chic, unexpected ways.

Aside from polka dot dresses, work dresses and the best wedding guest dresses (if you've got a few ceremonies to attend), everyone seems to be obsessed with drop waist dresses, smocked styles, and casual T-shirt dresses. Black is a forever fave, and white will go with everything, but summer is the perfect time to experiment with bright colours – so free yourself and step out of your comfort zone if you can.

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As for the materials to look out for when it comes to the perfect summer dress? Linens and lightweight, breathable cottons are a good place to start. You'll thank yourself for it on those stuffy/humid days where anything too clingy will make you feel claustrophobic. There's truly nothing worse. Floaty frocks and maxi and midi styles will, of course, always remain a comfort blanket for most of us, and although a miniature hemline can be quite daunting, don't shy too far away from them – they're everywhere this summer and your legs will be grateful for the hit of vitamin D.

As a consumer myself, I think it's most helpful when you get to see what a dress looks like on a few different bodies before making a decision on purchasing. So that's exactly what I've been doing for the last three years (twice a year), with editor-led photoshoots where we show you the best products we've recently tried and tested. I rope in a few colleagues every season, and together we try on our favourite new-in styles to show you how they sit/fit/move on us as well as the gorgeous models on the websites. We've just completed the SS26 shoot, so below you'll see some new-in styles we've fallen head over heels for.