The Best Linen Dress Styles to Wear All Summer
Here’s where to get yours.
In the summertime, everyone must have at least one good linen dress on constant rotation. (We don’t make the rules.) With their lightweight and breathable fabric and always-soft-feeling finish, they emit the effortlessness we strive for in warmer months.
And like linen shirts and crochet tops, they belong in your closet this season.
How to wear a linen dress this year
Available in flattering maxis, cute minis and button-up tunics, linen dresses come in all forms. Because they can vary in length, cut and colour, they are brimming with styling possibilities.
A shorter hem could pair beautifully with sneakers or flat sandals, while a tea-length A-line silhouette could be dressed up with kitten heels. The biggest beauty of this breezy fabric is that it revels in being simple. If you want to take the guesswork out of styling, opt for a pick with a subtle design focal point, like a ruched bustier or asymmetrical draping.
Throw on your favourite gold jewellery, tote bag and sandals, and your summer serve is ready.
Our fave linen dress styles for summer 2024
Best overall
Amazhiyu women’s linen halter maxi dress
A halter-cut with hidden pockets and an easily adjustable silhouette? Consider us sold. This 100 per cent linen maxi dress has quiet-luxury-approved simplicity with a flowy fit that cascades to your calves.
Featuring a ruched neckline, it can be tightened for a closer fit or loosened for a breezy effect. It also comes with a linen tie, so you can cinch the waist as you please.
Pros
- Available in three colours
- Easily adjustable silhouette
- Comes with pockets
Cons
- Some reviewers note that it felt stiff at first, so give it a few wears to soften up
Best budget
Amazhyu linen V-neck summer dress
The perfect airy mini dress, this spaghetti-strapped number is a grab-and-go staple for uniform dressing when temps rise. Made of 100 per cent linen, it has a super soft feel with a skin-friendly finish and organic make.
With a cascading silhouette and adjustable straps, it can stand on its own or be layered underneath a white T-shirt. Plus, design elements like the high-low hemline and the subtle side slits add extra airiness.
Pros
- Available in five colours
- Perfect for layering
- Doubles as a loungewear/sleep dress
Cons
Best rated
Miessial striped linen dress
Nothing says summertime sweetness like an adorable fit and flare dress, and this one is a standout favourite with over 2,000 ratings on Amazon. Made of a cotton-linen blend, it’s soft and breathable with just the right amount of stretch. Featuring a smocked bodice, ruffled short-sleeve detailing and hidden pockets, this A-line design is the best linen dress for practical everyday wear.
Pros
- Available in two colours
- Elastic bust and waist design crafted to fit you perfectly
- Fit and flare silhouette that can be dressed up or down
Cons
Best luxury
Frame gathered seam lace inset dress
Refined simplicity reigns supreme with this midi-length style by Frame. Available in a creamy white hue, it is the perfect treat-yourself splurge to start summer right. The ruched bustier, asymmetrical hem and cap sleeves rejuvenate the classic linen image with a standout sophisticated aesthetic.
Pros
- Smocked detailing adds a romantic finish
- Flowy asymmetrical fit for guaranteed comfort
- Linen-blend that promises breezy wearability
Cons
- Only available in one colour
Best sleeveless
Frank and Oak The Pocket Shirt Dress
Plenty of pockets give this rich chocolate dress edge, while the removable waist belt gives the option for a cinched final look. Made of linen and Tencel Lyocell, it boasts a fluid fabric that cascades down and hits just below the knee for a refined finish.
Pros
- Relaxed fit with professional-appropriate elements like a defined collar
- Made of a blend of environmentally conscious materials
- Suitable for machine wash
- Wear loose or cinched at the waist
Cons
- Only available in one colour
Best organic
Everlane linen oversized puff-sleeved dress
Made of 100 per cent linen flax, this linen fabric frock uses flax fibres that have been sourced in a sustainably-minded way, using no GMOs and full mechanical processes for zero-waste operation during extraction.
Stylistically, it shines in its oversized fit, perfectly puffed sleeves and V-neck cut. Pair it with black flats for the perfect day-date ensemble.
Pros
- Environmentally conscious dress made of 100 per cent flax linen
- Available in three colours/styles
- Suitable for machine wash
Cons
- Some reviewers note that it runs large, so consider sizing down if you’re in between sizes
Best plus-size
The Drop Fiona relaxed midi dress
A classic button-down linen dress is an easy styling choice. The button-down detailing acts as the focal point, while the chest pocket gives it charm.
This long-sleeve dress is designed to drape comfortably over your body for a one-and-done piece that you don’t have to think too hard about. Available in up to a 5X, it’s a size-inclusive option.
Pros
- Available in seven colours
- Size inclusive sizing up to a 5X
- Collar neckline and cuffs add a professional feel to the laid back linen look
Cons
Best short
Billabong mini sundress
Front patch pockets, a sporty box silhouette and ultra-thin spaghetti straps make this pick the sweetest summer go-to. Billabong’s linen-blend version of an LBD is the perfect short dress to elevate to your wardrobe repertoire.
Pros
- Made of viscose, linen and cotton for a soft fit with some give
- Easy to dress down with sneakers or dress up with kitten heels
- Available in four colours/patterns
Cons
- Only suitable for hand-wash
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