The Best Summer Dresses From Reformation, Dôen and Zara

There’s a certain moment in the year—usually around mid-May—when it finally feels acceptable to swap out layers for linens and bring your collection of summer dresses out of hibernation. The air feels softer somehow, and even if the British weather hasn’t entirely committed to summer yet, there’s a collective optimism that it’s on its way. Suddenly, the idea of wearing a dress, whether crisp cotton or slinky viscose, makes sense. It’s no longer about layering out of necessity, but about dressing with intention.

This is the time when I start hunting for the dress. You know the one; it has to work just as well with your favourite flat sandals as it does with a barely-there heel. It should hold its own with minimal styling, feel good against your skin on the hottest days and still offer enough interest to draw compliments every time you wear it. But let’s be honest: finding the best summer dresses that tick all those boxes can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With so much on offer and trend cycles moving faster than ever, it takes a discerning eye to spot the ones worth investing in.

Luckily, a few brands have made the process much easier. Over the past few years, Reformation, Dôen and Zara have each cemented their position as go-to destinations for standout summer dresses. Whilst they vary in price point and aesthetic, all three are currently delivering dresses that genuinely excite me and many of my fellow editors, too. From vintage-inspired silhouettes and prairie-cool details at Dôen to the romantic-yet-modern ethos of Reformation and Zara’s uncanny ability to translate runway moments into affordable high-street gems, these are the brands getting summer dresses right in 2025.

In fact, it’s been hard to scroll Instagram or walk through the office lately without spotting at least one of these three labels. Reformation’s latest drop of linen dresses has been a favourite amongst fashion editors thanks to its flattering cuts and clean finishes, whilst Zara has gone bold for summer with sculptural draping and pastel colours in a clear nod to the spring/summer 2025 collections. Dôen, meanwhile, continues to champion romantic silhouettes with subtle updates; think puff sleeves that are more restrained and prints that lean grown-up rather than girlish. It’s all very wearable, without losing the charm.

Personally, I lean towards more modest maxi dresses because I like a little more coverage in the heat and find longer hemlines easier to dress up or down. However, one of my fellow Who What Wear UK editors recently wore a Reformation mini to a garden party and got compliments all day. That’s the beauty of these brands: whether you gravitate towards long and floaty or sharper and more trend-led, there’s a dress that fits your aesthetic.