It’s 42°C in the shade and somehow the city’s style set is still serving looks. Think about it: when you’re brainstorming summer outfit ideas for women in a place this warm, you quickly realize one breezy piece can do it all. Enter the summer dress, your one-and-done hero. From brunch at Jumeirah to lounges in DIFC, the summer dresses of 2025 are keeping things cool, chic, and surprisingly effortless. It almost makes you wonder, what makes a good summer dress? Comfort, for one. Breathability, absolutely. But equally, it’s that vibe – that unspoken “this old thing?” confidence that the best dresses give you when you throw them on. In a city as fashion-forward as Dubai, even a casual day calls for a look, and a great summer dress is the shortcut to summer chic attire for a woman on the go. So if you’re eyeing those Instagram feeds for summer outfits for women, you’ll notice a pattern: everybody’s reaching for dresses that blend style with ease.
White Dresses for Summer 2025
Take the white summer dress, for example. It’s a classic for a reason. Whether it’s a crisp linen midi, a lacy bohemian maxi, or a casual shift dress for summer, something about a white dress just screams “I’m on vacation.” One day you might style a white cotton sundress with short sleeves and pair it with woven sandals and a floppy hat. Next day, maybe it’s a silky white slip with spaghetti straps for a beachside dinner—dressed up with gold layered necklaces and a raffia clutch so you don’t give wedding dress for summer vibes.
The key is in the accessories: add a straw tote and cat-eye sunnies for daytime sweetness, or switch to strappy heels and a bold red lip for nighttime sass. One friend even calls her favorite white midi her “blank canvas” because she can answer how to wear summer dresses in endless ways with just that one piece– belting it, throwing a denim jacket over it, or layering chunky jewelry to completely change the mood. From Zara to Jacquemus, scroll on for our favorite white summer dresses for women.
The Frankie Shop Maya T-Shirt Dress in Cotton
AED/SAR 310
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Zara Contrast Strapless Midi Dress
AED/SAR 299
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Jacquemus The Long Saudade Dress
AED/SAR 3500
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COS Open-Back Tiered Midi Dress
AED/SAR 159
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H&M Broderie Anglaise Shirt Dress
AED/SAR 365
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Prada Lace-Trimmed Floral Maxi Dress
AED/SAR 10,620
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Maxi Dresses for Summer 2025
There’s a maxi dress for every mood, and 2025’s trends are proof. Feeling boho? The summer maxi dresses out now have got you. Flowy silhouettes with bold florals and bohemian patterns are basically flooding stores. We’re talking tiered skirts that catch the slightest breeze and prints that look straight out of a beach sunset. A breezy floral maxi paired with leather Grecian sandals and a wide-brim hat makes an ideal summer beach dress.
Designers are doubling down on the drama too. On the runways, we saw maxi dresses overlayed with sheer white chiffon for a layered, ethereal effect. It’s a dreamy look that’s surprisingly wearable: you can channel that vibe by throwing a gauzy chiffon duster over your cotton summer maxi dresses for evenings out (practical bonus: it adds a bit of coverage when you’re indoors with full-blast AC or if you’re aiming for a more modest silhouette). Whether you’re seeking casual summer dresses or something more elevated, read on for our top picks.
Skims Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress
AED/SAR 390
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Miu Miu Technical Fabric Maxi Dress
AED/SAR 12,500
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Chloe Flowy Slip Long Dress
AED/SAR 15,390
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Entire Studios Sleeveless Maxi Dress
AED/SAR 365
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Baobab Tina Maxi Dress
AED/SAR 1,050
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Farm Rio Boho Glam Maxi Dress
AED/SAR 1,221
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Cotton Dresses
Speaking of cotton, cotton summer dresses with short sleeves deserve a shout-out here – in Dubai’s blazing sun, natural fabrics are your BFF. A cotton maxi in a light color not only keeps you cool but also prevents sunburns. Style it with espadrilles and a woven belt, and you’ve got the perfect day-to-night outfit: comfy enough for afternoon cafe hopping in Alserkal Avenue, and just polished enough for an art gallery opening later. And for those who love the extra touches, some of the new maxis come with tassels, fringe, and crochet panels. These cotton styles are also perfect as travel dresses for summer 2025— easy to roll into your suitcase, wrinkle-resistant, and effortlessly chic whether you’re touching down in Mykonos or just escaping to Ras Al Khaimah for the weekend.
Magda Butrym Crochet Bra Tank Midi Dress in Cotton
AED/SAR 4,460
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Mango A-line Dress
AED/SAR 179
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3.1 Phillip Lim Oversize T-shirt Combo Dress in Cotton
AED/SAR 1,950
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Rabanne Long Piercing Dress in Cotton Jersey
AED/SAR 2,400
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Lime Patterned Cotton Dress
AED/SAR 349
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The Editor’s Market Astra Pin Tuck Short Dress
AED/SAR 285
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Dolce & Gabbana Floral Pleated Cotton Mini Dress
AED/SAR 5,304
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Black Strapless Dresses
Of course, we can’t talk about summer dresses without saving room for the show-stoppers. Let’s flip the script: it’s Friday night, you’ve got a reservation at a swanky new lounge with a Burj Khalifa view. This calls for something extra. Enter the black strapless summer dress– the surprising MVP of many a Dubai wardrobe. Sure, summer is usually all about bright colors, but a black dress in a lightweight fabric is the secret weapon for sultry summer nights. It’s chic, it’s a little mysterious, and it transitions from dinner to dancing. This season we’re seeing strapless everything. One of my girlfriends just snagged a piece that has a ruched bodice and a voluminous bubble hem – basically an ’80s throwback mini dress in pale blue cotton, strapless and ridiculously fun.
If you’re considering a black strapless number, look for modern touches: maybe it’s made of breathable cotton poplin (so it’s evening-appropriate but won’t smother you), or it has a big bow in the back, or a high slit to let your legs breathe (and peek through). How to wear it? I’d say keep it simple and let the dress shine. Toss your hair in a sleek bun, add statement earrings, and maybe a bold cuff or clutch. That’s it. One of the biggest mistakes people make in summer is over-accessorizing out of fear an outfit is “too simple.” Trust, if the cut of the dress is great, you’ve already done 90% of the work. As Dubai’s style mantra goes, how can I look stylish in summer? By choosing that one piece that does the talking so you don’t have to. And a killer strapless dress in classic black does plenty of talking.
Pull & Bear Short Balloon Dress
AED/SAR 179
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Wolford Fatal Strapless Dress
AED/SAR 950
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Y/Project Invisible Strap Dress
AED/SAR 700
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Mango Combined Strapless Dress
AED/SAR 599
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Superdown Brielle Maxi Dress
AED/SAR 348
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Christopher Esber Arced Palm Strapless Maxi Dress
AED/SAR 1,650
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Mugler Strapless Fitted Waist Mini Dress
AED/SAR 3,622
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Modest Dresses for Summer 2025
A flowy maxi with flutter sleeves or a chic kaftan-style dress can be every bit as trendy as a strappy number. In fact, how should I dress in summer without showing skin? It’s a question I get a lot from friends who either aren’t into baring it all or simply want options for more conservative settings. The answer: lightweight long sleeves, sheer layers, and clever cuts. A kaftan-inspired dress in a gorgeous print can look pretty summer dress meets high fashion. Or try a wrap dress with sleeves in a linen blend– you get airiness and arm coverage, plus it transitions from a beach cover-up to a mall-appropriate outfit with zero fuss. And don’t sleep on sustainable summer dresses made out of eco-friendly fabrics like linen, organic cotton, Tencel – these materials keep you cool and align with the eco-friendly values many Dubai creatives care about. Wearing a dress made from, say, deadstock fabric or recycled fibers isn’t just a fashion statement, it’s an environmental one too. So you can feel extra good when someone compliments your outfit and asks where you got it.
Meanwhile, we’re all increasingly aware that looking good shouldn’t come at the cost of anyone’s self-esteem. Thankfully, size-inclusive summer dresses are easier to find than ever. Brands like Reformation, for one, offer on-trend dresses up to 3X (US 24), meaning plus size summer dresses with sleeves, straps, or whatever style you fancy, are well within reach.
Reformation Ciana Dress in Satin
AED/SAR 1,600
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Zara Contrast Dress With Clasp
AED/SAR 199
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Taller Marmo Checked Maxi Dress
AED/SAR 6,600
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The Row Jazmin Silk Maxi Dress
AED/SAR 9,662
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Muji Washed Linen Long Sleeve Shirt Dress
AED/SAR 349
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Lyra Modest Side Split Maxi Dress in Cotton-blend
AED/SAR 495
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Summer Fashion Tips
Before we wrap up, let’s hit a few rapid-fire style tips because a guide on summer dresses 2025 wouldn’t be complete without addressing some burning questions.
What clothes should you wear in the summer?
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Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen.
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Go for loose silhouettes—cotton summer dresses with short sleeves, wide-leg pants, or roomy jumpsuits.
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Avoid anything that clings or traps heat (goodbye, polyester).
What are the best outfits for summer?
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Mix cold shoulder summer dresses with comfy-chic sandals and oversized shades.
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A white summer beach dress is always a win—easy to style, and effortlessly elegant.
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Don’t underestimate the power of simple accessories: raffia bags, gold hoops, and straw hats are your summer MVPs.
How to look classy when it’s hot?
- Go for monochrome outfits (think beige-on-beige or all-white).
- Pick structured yet breathable pieces like casual summer dresses in natural fabrics.
- Add polish with a bold lipstick or a sleek, structured bag.
Finally, how to wear summer dresses beyond just throwing them on:
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Layer with a light kimono or open abaya-style outerwear for dimension and modesty.
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Use belts to shape oversized pieces—great for transforming a flowy caftan into a waist-cinched dress.
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Switch up footwear: sneakers for a daytime summer dress outfit, block heels and a linen blazer for an office-ready look.
Main image: Instagram.com/@olafarahat
