The classic dress styles to buy now

The perfect dress is one that works for a variety of occasions. Will it work for the office and off-duty? And can it be dressed up for evening? If you’re looking for a chic seasonal update, a dress in orange or coral is the way to go right now, and works beautifully with accessories in a range of shades including black, white, khaki and tan. For a more perennial style, opt for a versatile shirt dress in a neutral palette. And if that isn’t standout enough for you, try a boldly printed maxi dress – wear with towering platform sandals to amp up the throwback drama. So, which designers should be your go-tos? Read on to discover the latest trends and the designers making them…

The forever-in-fashion shirt dress is one of those brilliantly versatile day-to-night pieces – it looks just as good when worn with a pair of sleek pumps or boots in the office as it does with sneakers or gladiator sandals on vacation. At once timeless yet of-the-moment, the season’s modern, pared-back styles from insider-favorite labels Thom Browne and Derek Lam are a fuss-free wardrobe win. Alternatively, opt for Nili Lotan’s ‘Isla’ dress to give your look a chic Parisian vibe thanks to its pussy-bow neck tie and dainty polka-dot print.

Want to expand your color palette, but shy away from anything too bright? This season’s sunset shades – think everything from coral and peach to terracotta and rust – are an easy way to inject your look with a summery vacation feel, yet are understated enough that they won’t overpower the rest of your outfit. With their simple yet sophisticated silhouettes, Akris and Antonio Berardi’s tangerine numbers are ultra-cool options when you want to make a subtle style statement, while Vivienne Westwood’s duchesse-satin dress is the ideal after-dark choice – the draped, slightly loose fit makes it perfect for dinners followed by dancing.

With its rock’n’roll and bohemian connotations, not many pieces are imbued with the same kind of easy glamour as the maxi dress. What are the modern updates to look for now? Roksanda’s ‘Raeya’ style features an ultra-pretty ombré finish and fluttering sleeves, while Victoria Beckham’s burgundy plunging maxi dress comes in an exotic snake print (one of the season’s in-demand prints). Alternatively, Altuzarra’s ‘Tamourine’ silk dress comes in a modest button-up silhouette with a bohemian-style handkerchief hem and foulard-inspired print, making it ideal for all-day wear, to take you from beach to cocktail party in style.