There's never the guarantee of the sun making an appearance in the Great British weather forecast (*sigh*), but if there is one thing we can rely on come the warm-weather months, it's a great rotation of standout summer dresses – worn come rain or shine. Can you blame us for already lining up the styles set to carry us from now through to September?
New-season trends like drop-waist silhouettes and bandana scarf dresses are having a moment, but there’s something to be said for the sartorial staying power of the true classics that come back year after year. Think casual t-shirt dresses, easy-to-wear two-tone styles, and perhaps our favourite of the lot, the broderie anglaise dress.
Typically crafted from lightweight cotton, broderie dresses are defined by their delicate cutwork embroidery and signature eyelet detailing, found scattered along hem lines and adorning entire designs in equal measure. Inherently feminine, the resulting look is light and airy with a subtle boho feel that works for just about any occasion.
While crisp white versions remain the go-to (and for good reason), don’t overlook colourful updates if you’re looking to switch things up. Tick off two trends in one with a bold cobalt blue iteration – like H&M's chic option below – or opt for soft pastels for a fresh take that still feels classic.
Timeless, polished and just the right amount of romantic, it’s the wardrobe staple we find ourselves reaching for on repeat, no matter the occasion. With such attention to detail in its design, broderie dresses do most of the heavy lifting for you, so keep your styling simple. Think leather sandals or a slimline retro trainer, with a woven tote or slouchy shoulder bag finishing your ensemble perfectly.
Naturally, the high street is practically overflowing with pretty takes on the trend. If you’re looking for an option that does it all, Next's tie waist shirt dress is sophisticated enough for the office, paired with a blazer, while working just as well for weekend get-togethers with friends.
Consider your summer uniform sorted! Below, find our full roundup of the best embroidery on glass dresses available to shop on the high street right now:
Next White Broderie Tie Waist Shirt Dress
H&M Broderie-Anglaise Cotton Shirt Dress
Nobody's Child Khaki Broderie Anglaise Brooke Midi Dress
Nobody's Child Khaki Broderie Anglaise Brooke Midi Dress
M&S Pure Cotton Broderie Midaxi Cami Dress
Ro&Zo Navy Broderie Anglaise Cotton V-Neck Midi Dress
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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!
