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The Fashion Memo

The Ultimate Dress Guide: 5 Styles To Wear This Season And Beyond

Whatever your style, a classic forever dress is the ultimate investment piece for any wardrobe

From sleek, office-ready button-downs to red-carpet-worthy gowns, these are the new-season dresses to add to your wish list (and the styling tips on how best to wear them), says COLLEEN ROSS

Fashion editor Viktorija Tomasevic
Fashion

A dress is the quintessential investment piece – a closet icon that designers are constantly reinventing to create fresh and timeless iterations for every new season. Whether it’s a figure-skimming, lingerie-inflected mini dress for a romantic dinner date, or a bohemian-inspired maxi dress for your summer vacation, there’s always a dress to suit the occasion. So, as we dive into SS25’s latest collections, here’s our roundup of the key styles to wear for summer and beyond.

9 to 5

When it comes to your workday closet, dresses are an effortless addition, and the sleekest styles demand very little in the way of accessorizing – think or kitten-heel pumps and a tote. Shirt dresses are the perfect silhouette to wear on repeat, no matter the season. and versions combine utilitarian elements with a polished, timeless elegance and will segue neatly into eveningwear with a few accessory swaps. The latter’s crisp sky-blue cotton-poplin style is exclusive to NET-A-PORTER this season. Elsewhere, makes a convincing case for red being the perfect business solution with its asymmetric crepe dress – just add heeled thong sandals and a baguette bag to complete a chic city look.

  • PROENZA SCHOULER
    Scottie belted organic linen-blend midi dress
    $596.00
    Select a Size
    0 - out of stock
    2 - out of stock
    4 - out of stock
    6 - low stock
    8
    10
    12 - out of stock
  • VICTORIA BECKHAM
    Asymmetric gathered crepe shirt dress
    $870.00
    Select a Size
    4
    6
    8
    10
    12
    14
    16
  • TOTEME
    Lyocell and linen-blend midi dress
    $295.00
    Select a Size
    32
    34
    36 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock
  • KHAITE
    Effy silk and cotton-blend organza midi shirt dress
    $948.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small
    medium
    large - out of stock
    x large
The long and short of it: SS25 eveningwear is all about slinky silhouettes and shimmering finishes

Evening elegance

Come evening, this season is all about slinky silhouettes, romantic details and shimmering finishes – all are perfect for sundowner soirées and will pack a punch at after-dark events. Meeting the criteria, Victoria Beckham’s off-the-shoulder maxi is cut from lustrous satin that beautifully skims your figure, while sweet floral-appliquéd ‘Lena’ mini (another NET-A-PORTER exclusive) would work beautifully for a or reception. Whichever style you choose, pair with sculptural silver earrings and low-heeled mules to keep things effortless. For something with a little sparkle, choose beaded tulle ‘West Coast’ mini, which will catch the light as you dance.

  • VICTORIA BECKHAM
    Off-the-shoulder draped satin gown
    $1,323.00
    Select a Size
    4 - out of stock
    6 - out of stock
    8 - out of stock
    10 - out of stock
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock
    16 - out of stock
  • BERNADETTE
    Lena embellished taffeta mini dress
    $314.00
    Select a Size
    34
    36
    38
    40
    42 - low stock
    44 - low stock
  • RÓHE
    Lace-trimmed satin maxi dress
    $282.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    42
    44
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Lace-trimmed gathered silk-charmeuse maxi dress
    $5,500.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36
    38 - low stock
    40 - out of stock

Vacation pieces

Dresses need to offer versatility to earn their space in your suitcase – think easy cotton styles or floating maxis that drift effortlessly from beach to bar, and designs that double as cover-ups. Labels that specialize in resortwear should be your first port of call: floral-print ‘Granadilla’ style has a flattering fit-and-flare shape, while striped crochet-knit maxi will look stunning in beach-front photographs at sunset. Finally, no vacation lineup is complete without a mini dress. ‘Cascadian’ style comes in a breezy drop-waist shape with voluminous balloon sleeves and pretty lace trims. Wear it with a floppy hat and for lunch by the sea or trips to the farmers’ market.

  • ZIMMERMANN
    Cascadian off-the-shoulder lace-trimmed printed cotton-voile mini dress
    $448.00
    Select a Size
    00 - out of stock
    0
    1
    2 - out of stock
    3 - out of stock
    4 - out of stock
  • MISSONI
    Striped metallic crochet-knit maxi dress
    $630.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small - out of stock
    medium - out of stock
    large - low stock
  • FARM RIO
    Bead-embellished printed linen-blend midi dress
    $182.00
    Select a Size
    xx small - out of stock
    x small - out of stock
    small - out of stock
    medium - out of stock
    large - out of stock
    x large - out of stock
  • AGUA BY AGUA BENDITA
    Granadilla tiered floral-print cotton-blend mini dress
    $414.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small - low stock
    medium
    large - out of stock
    x large
For relaxed, comfortable off-duty style, slip-on-and-go shapes in lightweight fabrics are a no-brainer

Off-duty

In warmer weather, a dress delivers instant downtime style, and this season’s favorite off-duty picks have low-key appeal; think simple tank dresses and versatile midi silhouettes. From our edit, ’50s-inspired ‘Belline’ midi is cut from recycled seersucker patterned with red gingham check and has a row of sweet bows decorating the bodice. Echo the romantic feel by styling with and a Jane Birkin-style Alternatively, for something with resort-ready appeal, try gathered organic cotton-poplin midi dress, also from our NET SUSTAIN edit and exclusive to NET-A-PORTER.

  • DÔEN
    Belline bow-detailed gingham recycled-seersucker midi dress
    $330.00
    Select a Size
    xx small - low stock
    x small - out of stock
    small - out of stock
    medium - out of stock
    large - out of stock
    x large - low stock
    xx large - low stock
  • FAITHFULL
    Felice shirred floral-print linen mini dress
    $189.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small - out of stock
    medium
    large - out of stock
    x large - out of stock
    xx large
  • MATTEAU
    Strapless organic cotton-poplin maxi dress
    $248.00
    Select a Size
    1
    2 - low stock
    3
    4
    5
  • LA DOUBLEJ
    Turn Around wrap-effect printed silk-voile midi dress
    $973.00
    Select a Size
    xx small
    x small
    small
    medium
    large
    x large
    xx large

The big event

For weddings, garden parties and high-octane is the order of the day, with designers embracing the head-turning possibilities the dress has to offer. If it’s instant impact you’re after, seek out a single shade, ‘Roisin’ gown in pastel-blue, or draped rose-pink gown. Alternatively, if you’re a channel singer Charli XCX by choosing exquisite ‘Aurora’ mini dress for your city-hall ceremony, adding a short veil and pointy heels. Handcrafted in England from lustrous silk-satin, it has a corseted off-the-shoulder bodice that accentuates your figure and a beautifully draped skirt. Elsewhere, offers a darkly romantic choice for wedding guests with this stunning halterneck maxi dress. Complement the shimmering metallic flecks with silver accessories.

  • THE NEW ARRIVALS ILKYAZ OZEL
    Roisin open-back draped stretch-jersey gown
    $575.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36
    38
    40
    42
    44
  • CHRISTOPHER ESBER
    Metallic knitted maxi dress
    $428.00
    Select a Size
    6
    8 - low stock
    10
    14
  • ALESSANDRA RICH
    Pleated gathered polka-dot silk crepe de chine midi dress
    $948.00
    Select a Size
    36
    38 - low stock
    40
    42 - out of stock
    44
    46 - low stock
  • VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
    Aurora off-the-shoulder draped silk-satin mini dress
    $5,910.00
    Select a Size
    6 - low stock
    8 - low stock
    10 - out of stock
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock
    16 - out of stock

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