Whatever your shape or size there’s a cotton dress for you this season. Hide full hips and trim your waist with fit and flare or full-skirted styles, or skim over lumpy and bumpy silhouettes with a classic shift dress.
Cotton summer dress tips
For an easy daytime look, throw on a simple shirt dress, or flatter your figure with a wrap or ruched dress.
It can be hard to find summer dresses with sleeves, but if your arms are your biggest bugbear there are lots of lovely lightweight cardigans and cover-ups available in the shops.
When it comes to prints, anything goes this season –bold florals and chic stripes help draw attention to your best features (and disguise your worst). Whatever your shape, wear your outfit with confidence – and a huge smile!
Below the belt
Dresses with belted and tie waists will create definition on your waistline and will help you look slimmer. Don’t be afraid to swap the included belt for something different, but follow these golden rules:
• If you have a long torso go for a slightly wider belt to help shorten your upper body.
• If you have a short body and/or a big bust choose a slimmer belt.
Balancing act
Wrap and V-necklines can be flattering for most body shapes as they cleverly lengthen the upper body, make you look taller and can help draw the eye upwards away from a bigger bottom half. If you’re a classic pear with a smaller bust, then look for ruffled necklines to balance out your proportions.
Cotton summer dresses to buy
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cotton dress
1. V-neck Dress
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This dress is airy and comfortably soft, with a seamed waist that is elasticated at the back for comfort, while the ties from the side seams create a cinched-in waist.
2. Darcey Jersey T-Shirt Dress
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This T-shirt dress is ready for everyday-anywhere duty with a flattering boat neck and figure-skimming shift shape. A classic with a twist, it has seam detailing on the cuffs that add a modern touch to the short sleeves.
3. Yumi Broderie Anglaise Tie Front Wrap Dress
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Made from light and supple cotton, this vibrant cotton dress has a broderie Anglaise design that features short puff sleeves, a wrap bodice and a mid-length cut.
4. Organic Cotton Floral Midi Swing Dress
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With a feminine round neck, a neatly fitted bodice and box pleats to the midi length skirt which give a touch of movement, the cool cap sleeves of this dress are ideal for warmer weather.
5. Yolande Shift Dress
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Skimming and flattering on your figure, this shift dress flares into a gorgeous knee-length skirt. It will feel cool against your skin on warm days and has stretch for easy movement.
6. Crinkled long dress
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This pretty long dress is in a crinkled weave with a square neckline and voluminous 3/4-length sleeves with deep armholes and narrow elasticated cuffs. We love the pearly buttons at the back and flared skirt.
7. Pure Cotton Broderie Midi Shirt Dress
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This breezy shirt dress has a smart collar and button fastenings as well as feminine detailing such as a tie front, puffy shoulders and a pretty broderie effect.
8. Flounce-trimmed cotton dress
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This calf-length dress in crinkled cotton weave has a deep, wrap over V-neck, both front and back, horizontal ties at the back, and ties at one side of the front.
9. L.K.Bennett x Royal Ascot Pink Phelia Cotton Mix Dress
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Crafted from a stretch cotton poplin, this floral dress has a sweetheart neckline with tie detail, short puff sleeves and a floaty midi skirt.
10. Crinkle tiered maxi dress in pure cotton white
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A white summer dress is a wardrobe staple and this crinkled cotton one features a tie neckline, puff sleeves and a tiered hem for a boho look.