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Dior, Jacquemus, and Missoni did not forget maxi dresses in their Summer 2020 collections© Getty Images

Colorful, Light, and Sheer: the Maxi Dresses You Need for this Summer


UPDATED JULY 1, 2020 7:14 PM EDT

Warm weather, sunshine, and the desire to take full advantage of hot summer days are inviting conditions for wearing maxi dresses that come to life with the breeze, the sun, and every occasion imaginable.

Like every year, this summer season couldn’t go without those wide silhouettes we love for their relaxed elegance, comfort, and undeniable beauty. And just like every new cycle, this item captures so many different fashion trends—including an abundance of colors, prints, and materials—that we’re sure you’ll be able to find at least one that you like.

From voluptuous  tropical prints  to the never-ending charm of the oh-so feminine pink, including see-through textures and  hypnotizing dyeing methods , we’ve got some of the many options you have for wearing these sheer silhouettes.

Valentino, Versace, and Dolce and Gabbana use tropical prints© GettyImages

Seduced by the tropics

The lush tropics have come back to seduce and inspire designers with their thick vegetation and exotic fauna pictured on wide designs.

Italian companies like Dolce and Gabbana and Valentino have included this pattern in their lines of prints, but it was difficult to outdo Versace, who re-debuted Jennifer Lopez’s green dress to conclude a show that used this print in different styles.

Caftan from H&M© H&M

Luxurious caftans

If there’s an item that perfectly represents maxi dresses, it would have to be the caftan dress. And if we present it in a print as luxurious as one of the tropical persuasion, the result defines the idea of a chic summer . That’s what H&M has proposed in this piece with a dark background. (H&M $59.99)

Gabriela Hearst included macrame in her summer 2020 collection© GettyImages

Light, delicate textures

We await summer to enjoy its warm temperatures, always giving us the chance to make statements with the style and grace of handmade fabrics like macrame, used by Uruguayan designer Gabriela Hearst, but also with lace and other see-through fabrics, like those at Missoni and Loewe.

Maxi dress by Nasty Gal© Nasty Gal

Summer of lingerie

This black lace maxi dress by Nasty Gal ($33.20) mixes the seductive delicate nature of lingerie with the mysterious elegance of black to round out a pleasing design to enjoy summer nights with a carefree and instagramable look.

Maxi dress by Self Portrait© Nordstrom

Flowing and romantic

A teardrop design accentuates the delicate texture of this maxi dress, which comes to life with movement and its light baby pink color. The romantic, ladylike character of this design by Self Portrait is emphasized with its high neck finished off with an organza bow. (Nordstrom $670)

The effects of colorful dyes at the 2020 Summer collection by Christian Dior© GettyImages

A whirlwind of colors

Inspired by the most beautiful sunsets, the effects of the ombré dyeing and tie-dye techniques once again take advantage of the size of maxi dresses to immerse us in a mix of subtle colors like those selected by Oscar de la Renta, slightly more psychedelic colors like those from Dior, and with a somber note like those from Tod’s.

Maxi dress by Agua Bendita© Revolve

Cool elegance

The elasticized bust of the Leandra dress by Colombian brand Agua Bendita provides a comfortable fit at the bust and waist while its long double-slit skirt and ruffled straps give it the feel of relaxed elegance that is tied together by the carefully marbled effect of its dye. (Revolve, $240)

Jacquemus incorporates fuchsia into his 2020 Summer collection© GettyImages

Think Pink!

From pastel colors to bright fuchsia, pink has dyed this year’s summer runways, creating billowing clouds on runways like Valentino’s, flowing with the wind in French fields of lavender at Jacquemus, and a modern mixture of textures at Balmain.

Maxi dress by Zara© Zara

Pink empire

The pink color of this dress by Zara ($49.90) steals the limelight thanks to the extra-wide skirt that comes to a perfectly fitted bust with its empire style, while the straight neckline, underpinned by light spaghetti straps, underscores the idea of summer. In short, a design with almost complete freedom of movement and a colorful impact.

Let yourself be embraced by the sheer, elegant luxuriousness of maxi dresses in all of this season’s options.