Best Midi Dresses for Summer

Midi-length skirts and dresses first became popular in the 1940s, when fabric rationing during WWII led to shorter hemlines and tighter silhouettes. Then, they were surprisingly controversial in the 1970s when women felt they were being forced away from mini skirts — and even led to some protests. Today, they’re a wardrobe staple. And right now, all my clients are in need of midi dresses for summer, so I know you are too. They’re wearing them to outdoor concerts, backyard parties, wine tasting, on vacation, and for day-to-day summer life. But before I jump into the best midi dresses for summer, let’s go over some of the frequently asked questions about midi dresses.

What’s The Difference Between A Midi And Maxi Dress?

I often see designers referring to midi dresses as maxi dresses and maxi dresses as midi dresses. But here’s the exact difference in dress lengths:

• A tea-length dress hits the bottom of your kneecap.
• An ankle-length hem is where a maxi dress begins.
• A midi dress is anything between these two lengths. But to be really specific, a midi dress hem is between your upper calf and the bottom of your calf.

Are Midi Dresses Flattering?

Midi dresses can be more flattering than maxi dresses if you like your ankles. If you don’t like your ankles, a maxi dress is more flattering. Otherwise, flattering is not the real reason we love a midi dress. The real perk of a midi dress is you are not at risk of tripping, the hem stays cleaner (versus a longer hem that is closer to the ground), and a midi dress tends to be cooler since you get more air “up there” and you are showing more skin.

Best Midi Dresses For Summer

Below are all the best summer midi dresses I’ve come across for myself and my clients this year, from casual options you can throw-on for errands to more tailored dresses that can be worn to work. I’ll continue to add more fabulous midi dresses as I find them. If you’re looking for a dress of a different length, I also have posts on my favorite summer maxi dresses and short dresses.

TOCCIN Jacqueline Midi Dress

I adore this heavyweight royal blue midi dress. It sits beautifully because it has a weight to it, but it is not too heavy. It’s insanely comfortable, and you can wear a bra if you want, but you definitely don’t need one. You can see how I styled this dress, here.

Available at Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and TOCCIN.

Sizing: XS-XL; Runs true to size, but order a size down if you are in between sizes. Many of you will need your tailor to take up the straps — it’s worth doing it!

Material: 84% rayon, 16% polyester

Treasure & Bond Washed Flutter Sleeve Organic Cotton Midi Dress

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 100% organic cotton

A.L.C. Isabel Cotton Midi Dress

Available at A.L.C., Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Revolve, Garmentory, and FWRD.

Sizing: 00-14

Material: 96% cotton, 4% elastane

Madewell Floral Twist Front Poplin Midi Dress

Available at Zappos, Nordstrom Rack, Amazon, and Nordstrom.

Sizing: 00-14

Material: 100% cotton

Available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 100% cotton

Reformation Ellison Denim Midi Dress

The denim dress selection is so great right now! I’m loving the collared neckline and structured bodice of this midi denim dress from Reformation. See my favorite denim dresses of all different hem lengths in my post on the Best Denim Dresses.

Available at Reformation and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: 0-14

Material: 100% regenerative cotton

Farm Rio Pink Leopard Forest Midi Dress

You probably know by now that Farm Rio is one of my favorite brands. This cotton dress is soft. The back straps are stretchy and comfortable and the bust has boning so it stays up and you don’t need to wear a bra! Use code VSTYLE20 for 20% off at Farm Rio right now.

Available at Farm Rio.

Sizing: XXS-XL. True to size.

Material: 100% cotton

AQUA x Liat Baruch Button Front Midi Dress

Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XS-XXL

Material: self: 100% lyocell; lining: 100% cotton

Faherty Sunseeker Midi Dress

As I mentioned in my Best of Best post, this is the perfect every day, summer dress. Besides being extremely flattering and lightweight, it works for all bust sizes, and you don’t need to wear a bra with it (unless of course you want to).

Available at Faherty and South Moon Under.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 100% LENZING™ ECOVERO™

rag & bone Soraya Ultra Featherweight Dress

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: 60% cotton, 40% lyocell

Treasure & Bond Shirred Front Button Sleeveless Organic Cotton Midi Dress

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 100% organic cotton

Karen Kane Brigitte Tie Dye Sleeveless Midi Dress

Available at Nordstrom, Dillards, and Karen Kane.

Sizing: M-XL

Material: 96% viscose, 4% elastane

Rails Malibu Denim Midi Dress

Available at Rails, Nordstrom, Amazon, and Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 57% cotton, 42% lyocell, 17% cotton, 1% elastane

Ramy Brook Hallie Sleeveless Handkerchief Hem Dress

Available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, and Ramy Brook.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 100% polyester

Veronica Beard Evelyn Button-Front Denim Shirtdress

Available at Neiman Marcus, Veronica Beard, Revolve, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 100% cotton

Vince Relaxed Sleeveless Linen Blend Midi Dress

Available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Vince, and Bergdorf Goodman.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 58% linen, 39% rayon, 3% spandex

7 For All Mankind Seamed Denim Midi Dress 

Available at 7 For All Mankind, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks Off 5th.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane

PAIGE Samosa Dress

Available at PAIGE, Amazon, and Revolve.

Sizing: 0-14

Material: 55% cotton, 45% viscose

Available at Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Frank & Eileen.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 100% cotton

PAIGE Arienne Dress

Available at Revolve, PAIGE, Amazon, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom.

Sizing: 00-14

Material: self: 55% cotton, 45% linen; lining: 100% cotton

Chaus V-Neck Belted Midi Dress

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: S-XL

Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 100% cotton

Available at Nordstrom, Dillards, and Eileen Fisher.

Sizing: XXS-3X, also available in petite sizes

Material: 100% silk

Faherty Tropical Rib Tank Dress

Available at Nordstrom

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane with 100% organic cotton contrast

Veronica Beard Jolie Printed A-Line Midi Dress

Available at Veronica Beard and Neiman Marcus.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 100% cotton