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.

Ramy Brook Nomi Belted Sleeveless Midi Dress
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

Susana Monaco Strapless High/Low Dress
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