It’s not even May yet and our summer diaries are chock-a-block.
From garden parties to family picnics, friends’ weddings and of course sun-soaked holidays, summer soirees are being pencilled in left, right, and centre, which leaves us with one major question – what to wear?
Courtesy Zara
Anyone prone to slipping into a sartorial rut (guilty!) will be on the hunt for a do-it-all purchase to whisk them seamlessly through all of the above, and when it comes to polished-but-versatile pieces, nothing fits the bill like a dress.
Thankfully, Zara’s virtual rails are currently rammed with beautiful summer dresses in all shapes and sizes – but any discerning dresser knows not all dresses are made equal. So, in the name of getting more bang for your buck, we’ve handpicked seven dresses from high-street hero Zara’s new collection that could (genuinely) pass for designer.
Courtesy of Zara
From the perfect garden party dress to a beautiful satin halterneck that looks quadruple the price tag, these luxe-looking, do-it-all dresses will carry you stylishly through summer and have everyone convinced you’re wearing designer.
Courtesy Zara
Zara, Halter Dots Dress, £49.99 SHOP NOW
Polished enough for more formal events like garden parties (or even weddings) but just as perfect a choice for swanning around the city in, this sleek halterneck dress is a warm-weather winner. What’s more, polka dots are undoubtedly the pattern of the moment (Zara’s viral polka dot bomber has been out of stock for months). Chic dots like this perfectly toe the line between playful and elegant, meaning there’s no diary date this summer-ready print can’t serve.
Courtesy of Zara
Zara, Linen Blend Midi Dress, £49.99 SHOP NOW
Once the mercury starts to rise, nothing works harder than linen. Easy-breezy and understated but always polished, there’s something so lovely about linen’s fuss-free nature; you can throw on a linen dress and be out the door in five, safe in the knowledge you look put together.
But like we said, not all dresses are made equal, and this one’s powder pink hue and subtly puffed sleeves make it look so much more expensive. Just add kitten heels.
Courtesy of Zara
Zara, Midi Dress with Linen Blend Puff Sleeve, £39.99 SHOP NOW
More perfectly puffed linen! There’s something about slightly avant-garde silhouettes that scream luxury – and a pared-back balloon shape like this offers a designer feel without being too “out there”. Slightly pleated around the neckline and spilling into a rippled hem, we’ll be pairing this dusty beige dress with black ballet flats.
Courtesy of Zara
Zara, Studded Fringed Faux Suede Dress, £49.99 SHOP NOW
A slight change of pace here and maybe not one for the office – but we couldn’t resist including this thigh-skimming tasselled mini dress because it’s just so… fabulous. Summer is all about dopamine dressing and this might just be the most joyful dress on the high street right now. Featuring just the right amount of boho-chic, all the movement fringe detailing like this offers will bring your wardrobe to life this summer – the ultimate scene-stealer on the dancefloor.
Courtesy of Zara
Zara, Midi Dress With Belt, £39.99 SHOP NOW
Nothing beats a shirtdress in a heatwave, and there’re probably a few of those coming our way in the months ahead. Uncomplicated but oh so chic, a crisp shirtdress is our forever go-to when it’s too hot to even think about pulling together an outfit – this is shortcut dressing at its best.
Cortesía Zara
Zara, Mini Denim Puff Sleeve Dress, £29.99 SHOP NOW
Everyone loves a denim dress come summer, but opting for a darker wash adds extra polish (no wonder indigo jeans were a staple on Victoria Beckham’s SS26 runway). Deep, inky washes like this are an instant win when shopping for designer looks on the high street – just add lashings of gold jewellery and a pair of black flip flops.
Zara
Zara, Satin Halter Dress, £49.99 SHOP NOW
Satin dresses and summer have always gone hand-in-hand; shimmery, slinky and forever polished, satin’s lightweight nature makes it the perfect choice for an elevated summertime look. Case in point: this beautiful Zara halterneck.
What’s more, silky, bedroom-inspired dressing was a mainstay on the SS26 runways, as noted by our Senior Fashion Editor, Jodie. Speaking of this season’s biggest trends, she explained: “Uncover a soft spot for delicate camisoles and chemises, Chanel and Victoria Beckham’s collections inviting us to slip into something a little more sensual. Feel it’s too delicate? Hang tough with a leather biker jacket thrown over the top and pair with everyday denim.” Sold.