The Most Slimming Summer Dresses

This figure has more volume around the midriff, usually a less defined waist, thin legs, and square shoulders. If you feel like that matches you, you should show off your figure with dresses that draw people’s attention to your upper body, like V-necks. Empire styles are perfect for you, as well as wrap styles with A-line skirts—which elongate your figure—and full skirts. Since your legs are a strong point, highlight them with shorter designs. Avoid dresses that draw attention to your midriff, like horizontal lines, fitted bodices, or, any styles that are too baggy or shapeless.

Subtle Wrap

Mauve and lilac were seen at the Valentino, Max Mara, Tibi, and Givenchy shows. Wear them with chiffon wrap dresses like the Dot Our Fault, with its relaxed midi silhouette, polka dot print, tie side closure, puffed sleeves, and bias cut hem. Nasty Gal ($19).

The Gigi mini dress by Les Reveries is not only short and shows off your legs, but it is also made from light silk and has a plunging V-neck and short puff sleeves. You can combine it with square-toe sandals, another of this season’s hottest trends! Shopbop ($495).

You won’t want to forget flowers this season because they are one of the biggest fashion trends. The Glenda dress by Tanya Taylor has a flattering A-line and is fitted at the waist. Its lightweight silk chiffon fabric, square neckline, flutter sleeves, and on-seam side pockets make it a perfect choice for the hot summer days. Shopbop ($345).

These figures generally have a thinner upper bodies and wider hips and thighs. If that’s you, balance your figure with dresses that add more volume and draw everyone’s eyes to your upper half: any strapless design, details around the bust, open and fitted necks, and V-necks will help to hide wider hips. Which styles should you avoid? Oversize styles, pleated or tulle skirts, super short hems, and fabrics that hug curves.

Strapless and delicate

The Wow and Forever dress is adorned with orange, lavender, blue, green, and silver sequins and embroidery that make up a floral design. The strapless neckline, with the option to add straps if so desired, underlines a princess-seamed bodice while a high, fitted waist in the skirt finishes with a front slit. Lulus ($128).

Sailor stripes were made popular by Coco Chanel and they have been an elegant basic ever since. We saw them at the summer shows by Chanel, Lanvin, and Philosophy. Add them to your wardrobe with a dress like this one with its tunic silhouette, a waist tie, and V-neck decorated with buttons. Shein ($15).

If your body has a pear shape, choose a dress with details that enlarge your shoulders like the Lilliana dress from the brand Ulla Johnson. It’s got a crossover neckline, elasticized waist, ruffled trim, back tie closure, and metallic threading detail throughout. Forward ($475).

On this body type, the shoulders, waist, and hips follow a straight line. So, the waist is not well-defined and the bust tends to be small to average. A-line and empire dresses will look great, as will halter, sweetheart, deep round necklines that expose your shoulders and collarbones. How can you add more curves? With designs that are fitted at the waist. If you have an average bust size, then thick straps, sleeveless styles, and U and V necks will help to enhance your bust. Don’t pick any that are too short because they will make your upper body look wider.

Effortless style

The sheer cotton gauzy tunic-style 100 Degree mini dress ties around the neck and back. The stretchy dotted mesh skirt and raw edge fabric hem give it a perfect effortless look to enjoy the hottest season of the year. Free People ($78).

Max Mara, Bottega Veneta, and Totême featured shades of toffee, caramel, and cappuccino as other favorites for the spring-summer months, a trend that Meghan Markle has already started to wear. Sport them with this scoop neck dress with a fitted silhouette by Manning Cartell. Farfetch ($352).

The Lawrence dress is everything you need to wear one of the fashion trends that hasn’t lost steam since 2019. And what better way to do wear it than with a classic combo—black and white. It’s fitted in the bodice and has an easy fitting skirt. The large dots and asymmetrical design are other notable characteristics. Reformation ($265).

This figure has hips and a bust that are similar in size and a well-defined waist. Dresses that hug your body are recommended to accentuate your curves. Look for dresses with modest to deeper V necks, open necklines like sweethearts, fitted waists, and pencil skirts. Wrap dresses are also an excellent choice. The least flattering for you? Baby doll dresses, shapeless styles that cover your curves, and empire waist styles.

A new neutral

Yellow has been a hot trend in recent seasons, but since the spring it has softened with lighter shades taking the lead. Use it as a neutral color and mix it with black, army green, or beige. Take a look at the Bridget dress with adjustable straps and an adjustable tie. BB Dakota. Revolve ($73).

Puff sleeves can carry an outfit’s visual weight, which means any dress that has them is guaranteed to have a pleasing aesthetic effect. And they are still trending this year! Check out how they’re used in the Monet dress by For Love & Lemons, with a midi length and all-over ruching. Revolve ($260).

If you don’t want to attract too much attention to your hourglass curves, then stripes are a great way to minimize them. This mini puff sleeve dress by Choosy gives off a cute, flattering vibe with its tie in the front. Verishop ($70).

In this body type, the bust tends to be large and the shoulders are wider than the hips. Another trick is to draw attention away from your upper body toward your lower body. The idea is to do the opposite of what’s best for a pear-shaped figure. The best dresses for you are the ones that balance your upper body and cover your hips with embroidery, peplums, ruffles, or any other details that can add to the volume. Open necks like halters and V-necks will be best for you, in addition to light textures to soften the shoulder line and darker colors on your upper half, while A-line skirts and horizontal stripes will make your lower body look wider.

Halter neck

60s prints are back and they’ve brought the psychedelic spirit with them. Channel the bohemian spirit with the range of subdued earthy shades offered by the halterneck Opal dress with a hem that hits just a few inches above the ankles, which will look much even better with golden accessories. Rixo ($355).

The La Robe Saudade mini dress by Jacquemus has thin straps, a square neckline, low back with crossed ties, and an asymmetrical hem with a ruched side detail that adds volume to the hips. It has a side zipper closure to comfortably do up the dress. Brown Fashion ($570).

White is a very popular choice in summer fashion. And this year it’s making an impact that’s led by important fashion houses like Valentino. It is a hopeful, fresh neutral color that can have infinite combinations. The Beating Heart Dress by Atoir has details on the silhouette-balancing waist and elasticized cuffs. Forward ($186).

Enjoy summer with the most flattering dresses for your body shape!