THE 5 KEY SHORT SUMMER DRESSES TO INVEST IN NOW
Over the past five years, midi silhouettes have dominated when it comes to dresses, however, hemlines rose considerably in the spring/ summer 2024 collections. From mini-shift dresses to micro shorts, knees were back on show and the general consensus is the shorter, the better. If the micro hot pants trend pushes things too far for you, then a short dress is the easiest way to tap into this trending silhouette and give your wardrobe an instant summer feeling.
The mini dress will always be associated with the London style in the ‘60s, when the Queen of the King’s Road Mary Quant created a mini skirt in 1964, and named it after her favourite car. Many of our short dresses for this season are vintage-coded, with nostalgic prints and swing silhouettes that give the dresses a timeless quality.
Paired with tights and knee-high boots, a mini dress can become a year-round wardrobe staple, however, it is in summer when it really comes into its own. You’d be forgiven for thinking that a short dress can veer on the casual side, and while it can be the perfect beach cover-up, our design team has crafted mini dresses for every event in your calendar.
Fabrications and silhouettes are key to ensuring that your mini has polish and a refined quality. Our lightweight cheesecloth is proving popular already this year, as it is resistant to creases and wrinkles meaning it retains its shape and polish all day long, while still having a relaxed, breezy quality. Our designers are taken by texture this year, and one of our new hero pieces is a swing mini dress in midweight towel fabric – ideal for a morning reading at the beach and an afternoon of Aperols. Italian textured cotton is used on our smarter pieces, as it holds in place beautifully, making it a reliable choice for important celebrations and formal occasions.
Whether you are looking for a smart shift or a heatwave hero, below you will find our guide to the key summer mini dresses to invest in now and wear forever.
The Heatwave Hero
With this mini, we think we have created the ultimate summer dress that will be an ideal companion for any summer travels and will see you through any heat waves. At first look, it has a simple carefree energy, however, clever design details ensure this is a hard-working addition to your wardrobe. The optional belt means you can alternate between a relaxed, swing silhouette or a fit-and-flare shape. While the half-placket button-down front means you can adjust your neckline, which accommodates different bust sizes. Plus, it has pockets!
The Weekend Staple
Just looking at this dress makes us picture afternoons in the park, long barbecues and summer birthday parties. It has a nostalgic feel thanks to the soft Batik print in muted olive, blue and cream tones – a flattering color palette that is as easy to style as any neutrals. The shirred cuffs mean that the poufs on the shoulders stay in place, while the A-line, roomy skirt is a universally loved silhouette.
Pool-Ready Mini
Our design team has a thing for towelling this summer, and this mini dress taps into the ’60s country club aesthetic thanks to the preppy collar with a zip, swing shape and short hemline. It is a practical poolside cover-up, as the quick-dry fabric is very absorbent, so it won’t get soggy or crinkled if you get splashed or throw it over a damp swimsuit. The fabric has some weight to it, meaning that it maintains a polished and structured look, so you can wear it when the temperatures rise at home.
City Sidekick
This dress is ideal for a weekend in the city, taking you from brunch to art galleries to rooftop cocktails. The cotton poplin is blended with elastane which gives a comfortable stretch, meaning it will take you from plane to destination. The optional belt means you can alternate between a relaxed, loose silhouette, or create a more structured, fitted shirt dress for more formal occasions. You can also turn back the deep cuffs to make the sleeves cropped in length. Styling tip – the dark indigo shade looks particularly elegant with tan and dark brown accessories.
Old Hollywood Glamour
You’ll feel like Audrey Hepburn in this elegant shift dress, which is an option for city brides, mother of the brides or for other formal occasions, whether that is a day at the races or a big birthday celebration. The Italian textured cotton is structured to hold its shape, so it creates a sculptural, flared silhouette which is ‘60s in feel. If you don’t like a high neckline, there is a discreet zip which lets you create a V-neck.
