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.

An all-time favorite client midi dress. It’s perfect for work and play.

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Ramy Brook.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 83% Lenzing™ EcoVero™ viscose, 17% nylon

Reformation Rou Knit Dress

This midi dress is super soft, has pockets, and doesn’t require wearing a bra. I especially love the lipstick red shade available at Anthropologie this year.

Available at Anthropologie and Reformation

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 88% LENZING™ lyocell, 12% elastane

Faherty Sunseeker Midi Dress

As I mentioned in my Best of Best post, this is the perfect everyday, 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.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 100% LENZING™ ECOVERO™

Cult Gaia Ellaria Dress

This white midi dress is one of the frocks my client tried on when we were picking out her outfit for the upcoming Backstreet Boys concert with an all-white dress code. It has pockets and is a must-have! Pair it with gold sandals and accessories for a chic summer look.

Availability: Available at Revolve, Nordstrom, and Cult Gaia.

Sizing: 00-12. Runs true to size.

Material: 96% cotton, 4% elastane

French Connection Knit Fit & Flare Midi Dress

The fabric is a bit heavy, but worth the workout! This stunning midi dress turns heads and feels awesome on. It can be dressed up or down.

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and French Connection.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 65% rayon, 45% nylon

This is one of the best strapless black dresses of the year. Get this if you want a dressier dress that feels like pajamas and holds your breasts in perfectly!

Availability: Available at Nordstrom and Revolve.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: 86% nylon, 14% spandex

Nordstrom Sleeveless Cotton Blend Dress

Availability: Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 93% cotton, 7% spandex

Universal Standard Danna Jersey Dress

Availability: Available at Universal Standard.

Sizing: 4XS-4XL

Material: 94% cotton, 6% spandex

Hyacinth House Purple Multi Floral Corinne Cut-Out Midi Dress

Availability: Available at Tuckernuck.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 100% cotton

Throw this midi dress cover-up over your swimsuit for a day at the beach or pool. Need a swimsuit? Check out my post on the most flattering swimsuits.

Availability: Available at Nordstrom and ViX.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 96% polyester, 4% elastane

Staud White Wells Dress

Availability: Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, NET-A-Porter, Tuckernuck, and Staud.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 95% cotton poplin, 5% spandex

Staud Jessica Coverup Dress

For this midi dress to work, you’ll need a flat stomach and healthy hips.

Availability: Available at Staud.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 100% cotton

Reformation Mikol Knit Dress

Availability: Available at Reformation.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 70% nylon, 25% polyester, and 5% spandex

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Cinq à Sept.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane

Bobi Faux Wrap Dress

This midi dress has very thin fabric, so you can’t wear underwear with it.

Availability: Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 54% cotton, 44% modal, 2% spandex

Omika Mindi Midi

Availability: Available at Omika.

Sizing: XS-XL. Runs 2 sizes big, order 2 sizes down.

Material: 100% modal

J.McLaughlin Margrette Embroidered Linen Dress

Availability: Available at Dillard’s and J.McLaughlin.

Sizing: 0-14

Material: 100% linen

Farm Rio Pink Leopard Flowers Organic Cotton Midi Dress

Availability: Available at Farm Rio.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 100% cotton

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 Saks Fifth Avenue.

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

Madewell Floral Twist Front Poplin Midi Dress

Available at Nordstrom Rack and Amazon.

Sizing: 00-14

Material: 100% cotton

Available at Saks Off Fifth.

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.

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!

Available pre-owned here, here, here, and here.

Sizing: XXS-XL. True to size.

Material: 100% cotton

Rails Malibu Denim Midi Dress

Available at Amazon.

Sizing: XXS-XL

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

PAIGE Samosa Dress

Available at Amazon.

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 Amazon.

Sizing: 00-14

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

Available at Eileen Fisher.

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

Material: 100% silk

Chaus V-Neck Belted Midi Dress

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: S-XL

Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex

rag & bone Soraya Ultra Featherweight Dress

Available at Nordstrom Rack.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: 60% cotton, 40% lyocell

Best Midi Dresses From Years Past

I originally wrote this post on the best midi dresses years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.

A.L.C. Isabel Cotton Midi Dress

Available at FWRD.

Sizing: 00-14

Material: 96% cotton, 4% elastane

AQUA x Liat Baruch Button Front Midi Dress

Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XS-XXL

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

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 Karen Kane.

Sizing: M-XL

Material: 96% viscose, 4% elastane

Ramy Brook Hallie Sleeveless Handkerchief Hem Dress

Available at Neiman Marcus

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 100% polyester

Veronica Beard Evelyn Button-Front Denim Shirtdress

Available at Revolve and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 100% cotton

Vince Relaxed Sleeveless Linen Blend Midi Dress

Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XXS-XL

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

7 For All Mankind Seamed Denim Midi Dress  

Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 100% cotton

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 Neiman Marcus.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 100% cotton