38 Best Maxi Dresses to Keep Your Cool This 2024 Summer Season

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Of course, a one-and-done frock is a summer essential, but we’d like to take it one step further and herald the best maxi dresses as the most essential silhouette to effortlessly guide you through any sartorial scenario. Headed to a picnic? The leg-covering length is the chic no-brainer for lounging in the grass. Invited to a beachside wedding? The elongated drama will heighten your chances of winning best-dressed guest. What about all of those rooftop soirées and al fresco brunches? You guessed it. A floor-skimming linen dress. The longline glamour and sense of ease of the silhouette makes any outdoor activity feel instantly chic.

Your Cheat Sheet to the Best Maxi Dresses

When shopping for a tried-and-true style to add to your closet, start with flowy day dresses by Dôen, Esse Studios, and Ulla Johnson. These reliable labels have a myriad of styles—not to mention a host of colorways and prints—to shop, from sunshine yellow to oceanic-inspired waves. For polished wedding guest attire, look no further than Mango’s Victoria Beckham capsule—a liquid-y sherbet style featured in our edit would make for a lovely garden wedding guest dress.

The most notable characteristic to remember when shopping for one of the best summer maxi dresses is to look for designs that offer versatility—think breezy styles that can pair well with your go-to sneakers, dainty ballet flats, comfy fisherman sandals, or sleek wedges.

Keeping that all in mind, we’ve gathered an undeniably chic edit of the must-have summer maxi dresses. From Madewell’s maritime stripes to Agua By Agua Bendita’s enchanting florals, discover the best styles to have in your closet, below.