The best summer dresses of the season
The best summer dresses of the season
Whether you’re drawn to floor-sweeping hems, romantic ruffles or vintage-inspired minis, this season’s covetable summer dresses are an effortless addition to any closet – not to mention a failsafe way to elevate your off-duty look
After a year of off-duty dressing, now is the time to embrace the transformative power of a summer dress, for nothing feels as fresh and spirit-lifting as light nights and even lighter dresses as the warm weather ushers in a new season. And of course, SS21’s most desirable designs are at the top of our wardrobe wish lists right now.
Whether you have an intimate event to attend, or a solo day spent exploring the city streets soaking up the sun, there’s no better reason to get dressed than to feel good, no matter the occasion. And slipping on a standout dress is an easy, effortless way to look ultra-polished in an instant. Simply pair with chic leather sandals, finish with a classic handbag and you’re ready for anything – from a picnic in the park to attending brunch and a gallery, or perhaps even a small celebration.
The best bit? Beautifully crafted dresses are truly timeless. Invest in a showpiece by Ulla Johnson – complete with riotous print and ruffles – or a maxi-length slip gown with super-fine straps by cult brand Jacquemus, and these forever pieces are sure to see you through the season, as well as countless weddings to come. If it’s a breezy but elevated day-to-night dress you’re after, consider Parisian designer Isabel Marant your go-to for cool, French-girl style; her one-shouldered floral-print mini with cut-out details is the perfect accompaniment to sun-kissed skin and will pack perfectly in future vacation suitcases. For elegant daytimes with friends, look to Valentino – its tangerine Grecian-inspired maxi can be dressed down with flats or up with strappy sandals, while Chloé’s button-up shirt dress in an ice-cream hue is ideal for city days that extend into dinner – simply add statement jewelry for a bohemian spin.
Wherever your day takes you, there’s a mood-boosting dress to suit. Bring on the sunshine.
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The chicest designer espadrilles to carry you right through summer The chicest designer espadrilles to carry you right through summer For effortless summer style and all-day comfort, a pair of espadrilles is essential. See our top picks by fashion’s star designers The jovial insouciance of the spring/summer season is embodied in the espadrille. First designed and worn in the Basque region of Spain in the 14th century by soldiers and workers requiring simple, utilitarian shoes, the style has become synonymous with long summer days spent by the beach or pounding city pavements during a heatwave. 
The sandals you need in your closet this season The sandals you need in your closet this season Florentine footwear label AQUAZZURA reveals its elegant take on the classic gladiator sandal, ensuring its status as an SS21 closet essential When it comes to shoes, few have as storied a history as the gladiator sandal. Despite, or perhaps because of, its relatively simple design – although over the years, some designers have been known to push this blueprint to the limits – these sandals have endured over millennia while enjoying bursts of immense popularity. 
What’s on a Personal Shopper’s Wish List? Laura shares her must-have buys What’s on a Personal Shopper’s Wish List? Laura shares her must-have buys Get to know the tastes and styling tips of NET-A-PORTER’s Personal Shoppers as they each reveal what’s on their Wish List this season, and how they will be wearing their picks. Here, Laura from our Asia Pacific team divulges her most-wanted pieces and why… “My mother has always been one of my greatest style icons – I credit her with instilling in me my love of fashion. She has always taught me that the way we dress is a powerful form of self-expression.