Everyone knows a full length dress means fancy, so it goes without saying that no summer dress is as elegant as a maxi dress. It's just a fact. Regardless of its fabric or silhouette, the ‘maxi’ stipulates it's at least ankle grazing, if not floor-skimming.
That elegance is just one of the many reasons a maxi dress is an unsung heatwave hero. Protecting your skin should be of prime consideration, and while you're obviously always applying a SPF before you leave the house (right?!), your clothing can do the hard work for you. Even a maxi dress with spaghetti straps will keep you covered – literally – from the bust down.
With the warm weather in mind, it's probably best to press pause (only temporarily) on your drop-waist and fitted designs in favour of an easy breezy, loose and flowy find. Adequate ventilation is crucial to making it through the latest heatwave without ending up a sweaty mess. Plus, a more voluminous floaty skirt means you can slip on a pair of anti-chafe shorts underneath and no one will know! Chub rub is real in 20+ degree temperatures. IYKYK.
When it comes to shopping the look IRL this season, it was Next's Lemon Pleat Front Strappy Maxi Volume Dress that caught my eye as I was perusing the high street's current offering.
Crafted from a fully-lined, easy-to-wear crinkle-textured fabric that gives a lightweight, fluid drape, the design features a delicate pleat-front bodice and a pretty, detailed tie-back detail. Perfect for beach strolls and warm summer evenings, it's a stunning standout piece for your holiday wardrobe that works just as well closer to home, too.
Next Lemon Pleat Front Strappy Maxi Volume Dress
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In this gorgeous lemon yellow hue, AKA on of this season's biggest colours, it's right on trend. Style it with flat sandals and an oversized denim jacket for a more casual take, or dress it up with statement earrings and wedge sandals.
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
