We don’t like to play favourites, but this might be one of our top spring edits. After all, what could be more fun than curating a list of the very best dresses for your summer event line-up? Whether you’re bound for weddings, christenings, garden parties (or all of the above and more), these dresses will be a joy to wear now – and in seasons to come.
For us, nothing sparks more joy than perfectly placed bows. And this season, we’re spoilt for choice. Our favourite iterations include bows as part of the design, giving just the right feminine flourish. Another option: accessorise, which could be as simple as a ribbon tied around a low ponytail to something more eye-catching, like a belt.
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REDValentino
£915
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Emilia Wickstead
£1125
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REDValentino
£550
Vivetta
Luisa Beccaria
Emilia Wickstead
Pink has a special place in our hearts when it comes to event dressing. The trick to making the many different shades look grown-up is a little counter-intuitive: keep it super-feminine. Now that doesn’t mean fussy – the designs are clean, but very pretty. As inspiration, Valentino, Marc Jacobs and Preen got it just right.
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Dodo Bar Or
£425
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Rejina Pyo
£695
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Oasis
£90
Valentino
Marc Jacobs
Preen
A super-short dress with a demure design really packs a punch when you’re going somewhere special. True, they’re not for everyone. But if they suit your style, the key is to look for modest silhouettes with an elegant neckline, as seen at Zimmermann and Preen, or covered up, perfectly executed by Stella McCartney.
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French Connection
£99
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Ellery
£540
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Marques Almeida
£415
Zimmermann
Stella McCartney
Preen
Ruffles offer the perfect antidote to the smooth, languid silhouettes that can dominate event dressing. We love the former, but in our experience the fluttery feel of a gorgeously layered dress is rarely something you will tire of having in your wardrobe. The detailing can be as simple or complex as you like.
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Ulla Johnson
£435
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Preen Line
£360
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Ganni
£200
Max Mara
Giambattista Valli
Delpozo
The formula is as simple as it is stylish: a very pared-back, block-hue dress with all-out, generous, billowing, puffed sleeves. The collections may be awash with statement sleeves for SS19, but we can assure you this is a shape that’s immune to ebbing in and out of vogue.
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Emilia Wickstead
£2385
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Topshop
£55
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Sara Battaglia
£625
Stella McCartney
Emilia Wickstead
Carolina Herrera
We’re completely on board with elegant gowns getting the lingerie treatment. Now this is something that requires attention to detail. You want a dress that feels translucent, not revealing. Palette matters too: gravitate towards black, nude, sheer metallics and very pale pink.
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Lace & Beads
£50
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J. Crew
£221
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Lisa Marie Fernandez
£910
Ulla Johnson
Elie Saab
Christian Dior
The thing about feathery gowns, to put it plainly: they’re hard to replicate on the high street. However, what they can do to a beautifully designed dress is utterly whimsical. They make the fabric come to life with their soft, fluttery movement. And when done right, it is quite a thing to behold.
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Prada
£885
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Valentino
£3250
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Huishan Zhang
£1950
Huishan Zhang
Valentino
Rochas
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REDValentino
One-shoulder Pleated Point Tulle Dress£ 915
Emilia Wickstead
Julie Inverted Cloqué Gown£ 1,125
REDValentino
Bow-detailed Crepe Mini Dress£ 550
Dodo Bar Or
Crystal-embellished Satin-jacquard Dress£ 425
Rejina Pyo
Greta Bow-embellished Cotton Dress£ 695
French Connection
Josephine Floral Embroidery Mesh Dress£ 99
Marques Almeida
Belted Asymmetric Faille Mini Dress£ 415
Stella McCartney
Ruffled Floral-print Silk-crepon Dress£ 1,975
Zimmermann
Zippy Scallop Mini Dress£ 2,750
Ulla Johnson
Clemente One-shoulder Ruffled Dress£ 435
Preen Line
Ayaka Ruffled Asymmetric Dress£ 360
Emilia Wickstead
Amelia Caped Empire-waist Dress£ 2,385
Topshop
Bardot Dip Hem Midi Dress£ 55
Sara Battaglia
Off-the-shoulder Satin Mini Dress£ 625
J. Crew
Cap-sleeve Ruffle Dress£ 221
Lace & Beads
Pleated Dress£ 50
Lisa Marie Fernandez
Arden One-shoulder Ruffled Metallic Dress£ 910
Huishan Zhang
Beau Feather and Crepe Midi Dress£ 1,950
Valentino
Feather-trimmed Maxi Dress£ 3,250You might also LIKE
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