Dresses with pockets are the effortlessly cool summer style to rely on

Dresses with pockets

Stylist Loves


Dresses with pockets are the effortlessly cool summer style to rely on

By Harriet Davey

4 years ago

Dresses with pockets are the stylish (and handy) styles that deserve a place in your spring/summer wardrobe.

New dresses come hand in hand with warm weather, and we’re expecting good things this summer. With lockdown easing and shops, bars and restaurants reopening their doors, outfit planning has peaked beyond choosing which colour sweatshirt and joggers to throw on. Instead, you can look to throw-on-anytime dresses to make stepping outside of the house with an actual venue in mind a whole lot easier. 

Striped dresses are an easy win, and long-sleeved floral frocks will never let you down in the outfit department, but it’s the attention to detail that you should look to right now. We’re talking pockets. The joys of going out and about sans handbag can be prolonged thanks to the joys of a great dress with pockets.     

There’s something quite satisfying about finding an amazing dress – one that ticks all the boxes – to find it also has hidden pockets. An added bonus, if you will. Not only are pockets the key to being about to store your hand sani, phone and card without having to take a handbag with you, they’re also there to keep the look casual, no matter the dress style. 

From strapless styles to smocks; we’ve tracked down the best dresses visible or concealed pockets that are equal parts stylish and practical.

Shop dresses with pockets

Asos Curve dress

Asos Curve dress

Summer in a dress, this striped, strappy style with side pocket detail is a picnic in the park winner. Just add platform sandals and a basket bag, and go.

Shop Asos Curve sundress at Asos, £30

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H&M dress

H&M dress

Looking for the ultimate comfy dress? Look no further. This H&M smock style is available in beige, black, blue and mint green. In sizes XS-XXL, it also has cleverly concealed pockets. 

Shop calf-length dress at H&M, £24.99

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& Other Stories dress

& Other Stories

The classic 90s style strapless top is making a comeback for spring/summer, as is the tube dress. Move away from second-skin styles and opt for this sleek, voluminous style from & Other Stories for a new grown-up vibe. 

Shop tube top dress at & Other Stories, £95

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Ganni dress

Ganni dress

Ganni creates cult dresses left, right and centre, and we predict this will be the next sell-out style. Following on from last year’s polka dot iteration, this silver swirl print will make any occasion a fancy one. 

Shop strap dress at Ganni, £205

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Seaspray at The Drop dress

Emily and Fin dress at The Drop

The perfect daytime dress, you can layer this striped style over a T-shirt or wear on its own with sandals for a laid back vibe. Add a straw bag and a flash of coral lippie for a pop of summer. 

Shop Emily and Fin Seaspray dress at The Drop, £80.10

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Mango dress

Mango dress

Ticking off the utility trend in the sleekest way possible, this Mango dress is one you can wear around the clock. From daytime strolls to evening dinner reservations, you can dress it up or down with accessories depending on your plans. 

Shop belt dress at Mango, £59.99

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Uterque dress

Uterqüe dress

Elevating the classic shirt dress to incredible new heights, this embroidered style by Zara’s sister brand Uterqüe is a thing of beauty. Ticking off so many mini trends in one, this mini needs little styling to make a statement. 

Shop embroidered shirt dress at Uterqüe, £185

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Raey dress

Raey dress

Raey is a go-to for simple, wardrobe staples and this dress is an all-round winner. With visible top pockets and hidden side pockets, you can leave the house without a handbag if you wish. 

Shop Raey patch-pocket navy dress at Matches, £325

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Pink City Prints dress

Pink City Prints dress

Created by artisans in Jaipur, India, this dreamy dress with flattering smocked detail front is a summer saviour. Throw it on for warmer days with trainers or flip flops and simple jewellery. 

Shop Pink City Prints Lolita dress at Beach Cafe, £165

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Sika dress

Sika dress

Aside from the gorgeous prints, cuts and details, most of Sika’s dresses also have cleverly hidden pockets in the designs. Making occasion wear dresses practical, they’re also handmade in Ghana so each one is unique. 

Shop Peridot dress at Sika, £249

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Cos dress

Cos dress

We can always rely on Cos to tick off throw-on-anytime dresses season after season. For summer, count on this lilac winner to take you from walks to weekend with a simple switch of footwear. 

Shop pleated midi T-shirt dress at Cos, £59

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Paper London dress

Paper London dress

One of Paper London’s best-selling dresses (for obvious aesthetically pleasing reasons), this style screams summer. For each purchase, a percentage will go towards helping to remove ocean plastic in Southeast Asia and Africa. 

Shop block party dress at Paper London, £285

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Mango dress

Mango dress

A floral dress for spring may not be anything new, but if it isn’t broke, why change it? This citrus shade dress will liven up the dullest of days. 

Shop flower print dress at Mango, £19.99

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Other images: courtesy of brands

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