With its puff sleeves, open-tie back and tiered skirt, Nooki Design’s Hester dress is everything we want from a summer frock – especially when it’s 30% off. Available in three types of gingham, the 100% breathable cotton seersucker fabric makes it even more warm-weather appropriate.

We’ll be teaming ours with a straw basket bag and Tevas for day and an oversized blazer (nonchalantly shoulder-robed, of course) and white trainers for cooler evenings. Whether you’re heading to Devon or Dubrovnik, the Hester dress will become your wardrobe go-to.

Shop Nooki Design Hester Dress at The Drop, £84

The cocoon dress – aka the one item of clothing that requires little effort and delivers maximum comfort – is a must-have summer staple. Paisie’s relaxed fit dress is a foot above the rest.

Made from a blend of breathable cotton with a hint of stretch and available in two colours – navy and light blue, perfect for coastal holidays – it features stylish cuffed sleeves as well as the pièce de résistance – a scoop back complete with oversized tie. Effortless style isn’t hard when this dress is in your wardrobe.

Shop Paisie Relaxed Fit Dress with Back Tie at The Drop, £70

As the great American style icon Iris Apfel once said, “Colour can raise the dead” – and achieving this colour-induced mood boost is as easy as throwing on Nooki’s Bora ombre maxi dress – with a £15 saving exclusive to The Drop.

Made from lightweight viscose crepe, this loose-fit, flowing style comes in four combinations of blue, pink and red. Whether you’re looking for an easy piece to explore a new city in or heading to the beach, the Bora dress will become a staple in your summer wardrobe.

Shop Nooki Design Bora Ombré Maxi Dress at The Drop, £70 

When a summer dress code calls for smart-casual, look no further than Paisie’s chic waist-tie dress. Available in two shades of denim blue, the sleeveless, round-neck midi style works just as well for corporate workwear as it does for a swanky bottomless brunch with the girls.

During the week, pair with your favourite office shoes and your smartest handbag, before swapping to flat strappy sandals, colourful beaded bracelets and a basket bag for the weekend. Thanks to its statement origami-inspired waist tie, you’re guaranteed to make a great first impression no matter where you’re off to.

Shop Paisie Waist Tie Denim Dress at The Drop, £72

Is there anything more summery than the look and taste of sun-drenched figs? Whether it’s lighting up Diptyque’s Figuier candle or spotting them everywhere as you waltz around southern Europe, we’re obsessed. And with fashion brands such as JW Anderson incorporating fruit motifs into their summer collections, it’s no wonder Visir’s fig-print dress has caught our eye..

Available at a special Stylist price, this is a loose-fit wrap dress bursting with stylish detailing, from the V-neck to the cuffed sleeves. But most flattering of all? The thick side tie, which makes for a playful detail without any real effort having to be made. Whenever the sun’s out, we know what we’ll be throwing on.

Shop Visir Fig Dress at The Drop, £58

For a summer print that feels fresh yet classic, you can’t go wrong with blue and white stripes. British fashion label Paisie’s sleeveless midi dresses hits the sweet spot between retro and contemporary style – and both are available at special Stylist prices.

The longer V-neck design with drawstrings has a subtle boho vibe, while the full-skirted, twist-front version nods to 1950s fashion (without looking like a costume from Grease). Add a basket bag and tan leather slides for a seriously chic look.

Shop Paisie Blue & White Striped Dress at The Drop, £83

Fact: polka dots never go out of style – as demonstrated by Carrie Bradshaw’s Carolina Herrera skirt that she wore in And Just Like That… But when you tire of a monochrome colour palette, Sugarhill Brighton’s rainbow polka dot dresses are the perfect solution.

Made from 100% organic cotton and available in two styles – a puff-sleeved midi smock dress or wide-strapped maxi sundress – the colour combination is the perfect interpretation of moody versus joyful dressing.

Shop Sugarhill Brighton Black Rainbow Polka Dot Cotton Sundress at The Drop, £65

The relaxed maxi dress has long been a key piece in our warm-weather wardrobes, but now that international holidays are back on the agenda, we’re keen to stock up. And with its nautical stripes, the Rimini dress from British fashion brand Nooki is ticking all the boxes – especially with a £10 saving exclusive to our online marketplace The Drop by Stylist.

Made from a breathable, comfy blend of cotton and elastane and available in two colourways, each works well paired with your favourite Birkenstocks or Stan Smiths. Your holiday packing stress just disappeared into thin air.

Shop Nooki Design Rimini Dress at The Drop, £65

Shop Mara blue geo floral midi dress at Kitri, £150

Shop Tyra dress at Reformation, £150

“Gingham dresses are a fashion failsafe and these hand-shirred styles are a winner,” says Stylist’s style director Polly Knight. And because Lauren Kate Design’s Abby midi-dress is made to order, you can choose whether you want straps, cap sleeves or long sleeves, plus a choice of black or pale pink gingham. And the elasticated sleeves mean you can switch between a square or strapless neckline. Oh, and they’re also available in sizes 6-22. Basically, it’s the dress of dreams.

Shop Lauren Kate Design Co The Abby dress – shirred sustainable handmade dress with customisable sleeves at The Drop, £55

Shop Lolly dress at Weekday, £60

While strappy dresses will always feature heavily in our summer wardrobes, sometimes the British weather just doesn’t play ball. Which is why an off-the-shoulder sleeved dress is the ideal compromise – it feels summery but has enough coverage that you won’t be shivering as soon as you leave the house.

Available in two contrasting floral prints – mustard and pink or lilac and yellow – Paisie’s flowy bardot dress comes with a detachable belt so you can easily transform it into an insanely comfortable smock. And did we mention it has pockets? 

Shop Paisie floral bardot dress at The Drop, £80

When sticky weather means you can’t bear to go within two metres of your trusty denim or loungewear, there’s only one solution: a flowy maxi dress. And Saint And Sofia’s simple cross-back style will give you all the floaty vibes you need with minimal effort.

Available in three colours, each dress is made from certified organic cotton and features statement straps that elevate it from plain to special. 

Shop Saint And Sofia Sunset dress at The Drop, £58

“We love the ease of a throw-on sundress: one quick swoop and you’re ready to tackle the day in style,” says Stylist’s fashion and beauty features director Billie Bhatia. “If you’re not ready to lean into summer black entirely, this is the perfect middle ground.”

The ombré batik print reminds us of bucket-list holidays in Bali, while the crossover back detail adds an extra hit of interest without compromising the ability to wear a conventional bra underneath (big bust owners, rejoice). Add an oversized black straw hat, coconut water and pretend you’re in Ubud…

Shop Sugarhill Brighton Tara batik tiered sundress – black, palm tree at The Drop, £58.50

Shop check seersucker cut out midi dress at Monki, £40

A denim dress is a summer essential. Wear now over a roll-neck knit with stomper boots; for summer, switch to chunky sandals. 

Shop chambray dress at Whistles, £119

This punchy pink mini will look so good with strappy tie-up sandals and an oversized basket bag. A look that’ll make us feel like we are on our summer holidays, even if we’re not there yet. 

Shop Jagger pink bow tie mini dress at Amylynn, £75

Searching for a summery ‘wow’ dress? Look no further. This printed style is handmade in Ghana and will make a statement any day of the week.

Shop Aliyah Dress at Sika, £195