White dresses are my absolute favourite thing to wear at any time of the year, but in summer, they feel even more special. There’s just something so crisp, classy, and elegant about a white dress that makes it incredibly appealing. While it, understandably, is a no-go for weddings, this is perhaps the reason why I choose to wear them so frequently otherwise, skirting my jeans and linen trousers in favour of their polish. And it looks like I’m not the only one doing so.
This week alone, I have seen countless white dress outfits crop up on my social media feeds. This is unsurprising given the recent spike in temperatures we’ve been experiencing, but it has served as a reminder of just how versatile a white dress can be. Below, I’ve charted some of my favourite white dress outfits of the summer so far, shopping out all the components you might need to re-create them as you go. That said, the beauty of a white dress lies in its simplicity, so the styling of said white dresses tends to be minimal too. Because of this, I would feel comfortable wagering that you already own many of the pieces you need to emulate these white dress outfits.
Scroll on to see 13 (yes, 13!) ways to wear a white dress this season, knowing you’re going to look chic in the process.
13 WHITE DRESS OUTFITS THAT ARE CHIC, CLASSY AND WILL NEVER DATE
1. STRAPPY WHITE DRESS + JUMPER + TOTE BAG
(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)
Style Notes: Nothing says “I’m chic” quite like a white dress with a jumper knotted around the shoulders.
Shop the Look:
Reformation
Frankie Linen Dress
Jigsaw
Chunky Dome Earrings in Silver
& Other Stories
Relaxed Knit Jumper
DRAGON DIFFUSION
Egola Woven Leather Tote
Arket
Woven Leather Slides
2. PUFF-SLEEVE WHITE DRESS + SHOULDER BAG + MARY JANES
(Image credit: @ingridedvinsen)
Style Notes: Tick off two very pretty trends in one with a puff-sleeve white dress worn with black mary jane shoes.
Shop the Look:
Reformation
Marella Linen Dress
Sezane
Soline Mary Jane Shoes
J&M Davidson
Bonny Baguette
LE SPECS
Outta Love Oval-Frame Plastic Sunglasses
Missoma
Hera Oversized Dome Ridge Stud Earrings
3. MINI WHITE DRESS + BALLET FLATS + SUEDE BAG
(Image credit: @sasha.mei)
Style Notes: If minis are more your thing, give them an effortless quality by wearing your white style with simple ballet flats and your favourite carry-all tote.
Shop the Look:
MATTEAU
Shirred Organic Cotton-Poplin Mini Dress
Longchamp
Le Pliage Original Large Shoulder Bag
Jeffrey Campbell
Aurora Flats
Missoma
Isa Curb Chain Choker
4. VICTORIANA WHITE DRESS + PRINTED TOTE + STACKED RINGS
(Image credit: @olivia_marcus)
Style Notes: I’m a sucker for a high neckline, and this Victorian-inspired white dress needs little else to look chic. The printed tote, however, adds an unexpected but highly stylish touch.
Shop the Look:
THE KOOPLES
Cotton Embroidered Mini Dress With Long Sleeves
COACH
City Tote Bag in Signature Canvas
Annie Hak
Nu and Mii Havana Gold Plated Ring Stack
Whistles
x Hai Fetiche Shoe
5. WHITE SLIP DRESS + TOP-HANDLE BAG + SLIDER SANDALS
(Image credit: @symphonyofsilk)
Style Notes: The perfect white dress for both formal and casual occasions, make a satin slip work for day with a pair of slider sandals. The black bag and shoes make for a cool contrast against the white.
Shop the Look:
OMNES
Marilyn Cut-Out Sleeveless Recycled-Polyester Maxi Dress
CELINE EYEWEAR
Triomphe Rectangular-Frame Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses
M&S Collection
Faux Leather Top Handle Tote Bag
Orelia
Interlocking Bangles
6. LONG-SLEEVE WHITE DRESS + BASKET BAG + CHAIN NECKLACE
(Image credit: @basma_k)
Style Notes: You don’t need to go short sleeve for summer—longer styles look supremely elegant (especially coupled with maxi hemlines). Just add a basket bag.
Shop the Look:
Jigsaw
Trombone Link Chain Necklace in Gold
Loewe
Medium Anagram Basket Bag in Iraca Palm and Calfskin
ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS
Ikesia Suede Slingback Sandals
7. OFF-THE-SHOULDER WHITE DRESS + BEADED BAG + WHITE SANDALS
(Image credit: @mimixn)
Style Notes: For an easy evening look, create an outfit of all-white but introduce interesting details, such as an off-the-shoulder neckline or a beaded bag.
Shop the Look:
SLEEPER
+ Net Sustain Atlanta Off-The-Shoulder Shirred Linen Midi Dress
LOUIS ABEL
Uzu Sterling Silver Ring
NEOUS
Nenque Leather Sandals
8. COTTON WHITE DRESS + STATEMENT NECKLACE + THONG SANDALS
(Image credit: @champagnemani)
Style Notes: White cotton dresses with vest-like straps, square bodices and full skirts are proving especially popular this season, particularly when they’re styled with ’90s-esque accessories.
Shop the Look:
Whistles
Poplin Cotton Mix Midi Dress
Free People
Little Secret Round Sunglasses
Silence + Noise
Tortoiseshell Circle Cord Choker
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
Raratonga 55 Leather Sandals
9. STRAPLESS WHITE DRESS + LIGHTWEIGHT SCARF + DROP EARRINGS
(Image credit: @chanelmckinsie)
Style Notes: The only thing that can make a strapless, full-skirted white dress look even classier is the addition of a lightweight scarf worn loosely around the neck.
Shop the Look:
SER.O.YA
Ser.o.ya Gardenia Maxi Dress
Basic Sense
Basic Sense Plain Chiffon Soft Sheer Scarf, Black
Pilgrim
Riko Recycled Earrings Silver-Plated
MANGO
Strappy Heeled Sandals
10. FULL WHITE DRESS + TRAINERS + CROSSBODY BAG
(Image credit: @maryljean)
Style Notes: White dresses don’t need to be worn with heels and sandals all the time—this look proves they look just as sleek styled with trainers.
Shop the Look:
Abercrombie & Fitch
Emerson Eyelet Midi Dress
CHANEL Pre-Owned
2018 Small Cc Quilted Lambskin Clutch With Chain Crossbody Bag
Frederique Constant
Fc-200mc16b Women’s Carrée Bracelet Strap Watch, Silver
New Balance
New Balance 2002r Trainers
11. WHITE BABYDOLL DRESS + FLIP FLOPS + TOTE BAG
(Image credit: @borislavasekova)
Style Notes: Babydoll dresses are back in a big way this summer. Wear with simple, no-fuss accessories to ensure they look cool, not cutesy.
Shop the Look:
free-est
Struttin’ Mini Dress
& Other Stories
Large Suede Tote
LE SCARF
Printed Silk-Satin Scarf
Sleepers
Sleepers Tapered Flip Flops
(Image credit: @yasmindevonport_)
Style Notes: If glamour is white you seek, you really can’t go wrong with a white draped dress, gold jewellery and metallic sandals.
Shop the Look:
Anthropologie
Smooth Spiral Drop Earrings
& Other Stories
Wave Cuff Bracelet
AEYDE
Roda Leather Sandals
13. TWO-PART WHITE DRESS + SHELL NECKLACE + STRAPPY SANDALS
(Image credit: @venswifestyle)
Style Notes: White dresses are a core holiday staple. I’ll be taking cues from Renia Jaz and wearing mine with a shell necklace and strappy sandals when I jet off next.
Shop the Look:
Nobodys Child
White Halterneck Shirred Tizzy Midi Dress
LE SPECS
Hypnosis Cat Eye-Frame Sunglasses
Olivia & Pearl
Keshi Choker Necklace Pearlescent