Best 26 Summer Dresses & Skirts

[shutthefrontdooor]

I’ve had a run of Vinted failures trying to find floaty lovely summer dresses and skirts.

I need a wardrobe summer makeover (bit late I know!) and am looking for dresses and skirts that can be casual or dressed up.

Thought I’d start a thread for inspiration in the hopes others will share their best finds.

My two to start are both Fatface (who I don’t usually love but these are great). I love bright colours and I’ve worn both of these with trainers in the day or smartened them up for the evening

https://www.fatface.com/style/sv220806/g09211

https://www.fatface.com/style/su789848/h01998

As they should. I work in this area and there is a huge amount of wastage in the fashion industry which ends up on landfill. Many returned items are never resold.

Think of us in Ireland now since Brexit.
We usually pay for returns.
Since Brexit if you buy from a UK company
a) they may not deliver to Ireland anymore. It’s not worth the hassle to them.
b) If they do deliver to Ireland we have to pay higher postage than UK customers ( fair enough) and an extra tax is added.
c) Our Post Office then charges us for adding on the extra tax.
d) And another new tax was added by the EU on 1st July 2026 on goods originating from outside the Eu to try and put people off ordering from the likes of Shein and Temu. But it impacts goods bought from the UK now too.
Aghhhhhhhh 😡😡😡

Similar style but in cotton

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/chiara-black-stripe-dress-10023440230.html

I’ve got this cotton one from New Look, it’s really lovely on, comes in a few colours and has pockets!

I’ve had some Vinted fails of late too, but opened this up today and I love it! Was Next originally. (Photo will probably take a wee while to appear, but it is there …) Lovely midi length, swishy with pockets.

I bought this after seeing it recommended on another thread and it's perfect summer workwear, although I have worn it to a couple of parties and an afternoon tea. I'm a J cup and it accommodates my boobs well and it's 100% cotton too!

www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-pintuck-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp61227425?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I was going to buy this. is it forgiving on the tummy? That's my problem.

(I also have the @CountFucula RI striped dress on order, managed to pick up a brief re-stock/return.)

I've lost 8 stone and have something of a tummy still and it's really flattering on me. The waisted detail gives me a nice cinched waist and the wider line of the shoulders is great at balancing a heavier bottom half. I am between a 16 and an 18 atm and I was more comfortable in the 18 as there's no give in the dress.

I’m endlessly searching too. I love pockets and want natural fabrics (preferably ethical).

I have this (in pale green seersucker) from a small Bristol based company who ethically source.

https://yesfriends.co/collections/dresses/products/puff-sleeve-midi-dress?variant=57807827566973

I am hoping for more stock of their square neck dress and have ordered a couple of their 100% cotton t-shirts.

This is my baby. Love love love it.

farmrio.com/products/coconut-tree-embroidered-mini-dress?variant=43691546935389&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23292099579&gbraid=0AAAAAC4GiQ9-73MO4o-qln_Sy9gdQpgw3&gclid=Cj0KCQjw94bTBhDQARIsAN3vv0y0VDoWEpf4VDtwtPHcriCo1FpyJ-bhw0OJywDdAzKNu9TNszRbZrYaArInEALw_wcB

I’ve bought two from Whitestuff - really nice fabric - cotton / modal mix.