Discover This Season’s Must-Have White Dress

The sartorial equivalent of an ice-cold drink on a warm day, a crisp white dress is instantly refreshing. It feels put together without being overdone, and delivers the sort of easy-breezy aesthetic we all seek when the mercury rises. And, like its classic counterpart, the LBD, it’s eminently versatile, with designs to suit every style – and every occasion. By day, Matteau’s gathered organic cotton-poplin dress will look chic with strappy sandals and a raffia tote for brunches in the city, while Farm Rio’s scalloped broderie anglaise-trimmed linen mini offers a polished take on the trend yet still feels effortless. What’s more, both are highlights from our NET SUSTAIN edit and crafted using lower-impact materials. Elsewhere, Greek label Themis Z – new to NET-A-PORTER this season – delivers a dose of minimal elegance with its ‘Kallos’ maxi dress. A stunning option for evening, match your jewelry and shoes to the gold foil detailing at the hips.

If you’re on the hunt for vacation-ready designs, look to styles by NET SUSTAIN brands Dôen and Faithfull. The former’s bestselling ‘Emmaretta’ midi dress is cut from weightless cotton-voile with pretty shirred detailing and looks chic styled with a printed satin headscarf and mesh ballet flats for lunch by the coast. Alternatively, try Zimmermann’s mini shirt dress, which cleverly fuses effortless elegance with high-impact appeal – just add layered necklaces and fisherman sandals.

A white dress lends itself beautifully to a whimsical, bohemian mood, too, and Chloé’s ’60s-inspired mini is a perfect example. It’s cut from scalloped broderie anglaise in an A-line shape with fluted sleeves – ideal for layering over swimwear for instant vacation vibes or adding a raffia tote and slides for afternoon strolls through town. Meanwhile, Valentino Garavani’s shirt dress, detailed with a ruffled collar and poet sleeves, delivers romance in spades. Add a touch of polished gold jewelry and open-toe mules for a summer event. Or, if you prefer your dresses to be minimal and understated, try Toteme’s midi in soft organic cotton-jersey that works as well with retro sneakers as it does ballet flats and sandals.

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