The Best Linen Dresses To Wear Now

Airy linen is the ultimate summer fabric – there’s something in its natural texture that lends a whimsical sensibility to clothing, making it both inherently elegant and beautifully cool on warm days. This season, designers embraced linen’s relaxed-meets-structured quality by creating slip-on-slip-off dresses with effortless appeal, perfect for both vacation and easy city days.

A favorite this season is Posse’s effortlessly elegant ‘Lori’ maxi dress from our NET SUSTAIN edit. Cut from gingham seersucker with an open back, it is the sort of piece you can wear with minimal sandals and a basket bag during the day, then dress up with low-heeled mules and a clutch for beach parties and sunset cocktails. For extra-special events, like a destination wedding, Zimmermann’s romantic ‘Lucky’ mini, printed with faded pink flora and fauna, is a suitably romantic choice.

Elsewhere, Farm Rio’s embellished broderie maxi dress is decorated with painterly shell motifs and has a breezy tiered hem. Accentuate its beachy feel with leather flip flops and beaded jewelry. For ultimate versatility, you can’t go wrong with a little black dress. Inspired by ’60s styles, Faithfull’s mini dress looks chic styled with Mary Jane ballet flats and cat-eye sunglasses for an afternoon exploring the sights.

For the perfect slip-on-and-go dress to pack for your next vacation, La Ligne has you covered. Exclusive to NET-A-PORTER, the New York-based brand’s ‘Alba’ mini dress is patterned with artful florals and has a swishy skirt. Wear it over a bikini with salty hair and leather sandals by day, then amp it up with heels come evening. Elsewhere, Le Kasha’s ‘Jesmah’ dress exudes city polish, making it perfect for alfresco dinners and summer-exhibition openings. Complement the versatile terracotta shade with chunky gold jewelry and black accessories.

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