Okay, I'll be frank. So far, summer 2024 hasn't delivered on the consistently sunny weather we'd been hoping for. Sure, there have been moments of greatness (usually followed up by spells of showers), but in the spirit of optimism, I've decided to focus on the warm weather that I'm sure is just around the corner. After a particularly long winter, it’s finally time to start thinking about summer dresses, and they cannot come soon enough. Whether you have two hours or 10 minutes to get ready, I'm convinced that a good dress is the polished instant outfit that always delivers, but one style in particular always rises to the occasion.
Sorry beach-ready kaftans, structured denim, or even trending crochet, crisp cotton poplin dresses always score highly in my ultimate dress ranking for their sharp finish, easy styling and affordability. Look to the runways and you'll find freshly starched minis and shirt dresses, and on the high street, there are plenty of tank dresses, bubble hems and sweeping maxis that offer fresh takes on the classic fabric. Airy, light, impossibly chic (and a world away from crumpled linen), could poplin dresses be the ideal summer dress? I'm inclined to think so.
Take for example S/S 24's biggest dress trends: clean whites, baby dolls, pops of red—cotton poplin does it all. And whilst the likes of Chloé and Gabriela Hearst are working to remind us that boho is making a comeback, street style is still falling back on the classics; the kind of sharp tailoring and clean lines that never go out of style (and who doesn't love an investment buy?).
Whether you prefer form-fitting dresses à la Reformation, gravitate to full sleeves and skirts (there's no beating H&M and M&S right now), or lean into pretty prints like gingham and micro-florals, there's an everyday dress for you. After scouring socials and pulling together an edit of new-in pieces and restocked classics, I'm convinced that the below are the very best cotton poplin dresses on the market right now. Happy shopping.
Shop Cotton Poplin Dresses:
This buttery yellow is so flattering.
How perfect is this beautiful white dress?
The cinched waist and the A-line skirt are perfectly cut.
Just add chunky sandals and a slouchy hobo bag.
This looks so much more expensive than under £30.
The belted waist takes this to fashionable new heights.
Be still, my beating heart.
Team Who What Wear UK are all obsessed with this affordable dress.
Hot red, hot dress.
This cute gingham is summer in a dress.
Throw on over a bikini on the beach or wear with a strappy sandal in the city.
This is coming on my next holiday.
Matteau know how to get dresses right.
Ideal with tan sandals, especially in suede.
You will have seen Tove's Lauryn dress in buttermilk yellow last year, but how good is this tangerine?
This fit is second to none.
This gets a huge yes from me.
Dress this up with loafers or down with comfy trainers.
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Victoria Beckham Just Swapped Her Puddle Pants for This Classic '90s TrendA timeless design.
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These 32 Elegant Fall Dresses Look Incredibly Chic With BootsA perfect match.
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Sleek, Sophisticated, and Selena-Approved—This $199 Dress Is a Sellout Waiting to HappenDon't say we didn't warn you.
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Dakota Johnson Wore the Lingerie-Inspired Dress Trend That May Replace Sheer DressesShop the "risqué" style.
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Emily Ratajkowski Just Re-Created One of Carrie Bradshaw's Most Iconic '90s LooksSo Carrie coded.
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Kacey Musgraves Just Wore This $185 Dress Onstage With Sabrina CarpenterIt's still in stock.
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Bring On the Compliments—These 32 Mango Dresses Are on Major Sale and Ready to Turn HeadsUnder $50 and dangerously close to selling out.
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Suki Waterhouse Wore Fall's #1 Pretty Dress Trend to Open for Taylor SwiftEthereal is an understatement.
