"I don’t know if I’m stirring up the pot when I say this, but summer is absolutely the easiest season to dress for. Hear me out: yes, the sun is sweltering. Yes, the heat has you sweating before you even leave the house. The trick to enjoying it is knowing that even on the hottest days—when picking out an outfit seems like an impossible task—maxi dresses have our back.
Maxi dresses are the one-and-done summer outfit that still somehow manage to look completely elevated, despite how little effort they require. All you have to do is throw it on, put on your favorite shoes, and head out the door. They’re completely versatile and also offer the ability to dress it up with heels, down with sneakers, or anything in between.
The best part of wearing a maxi dress this summer—outside of the obvious no pants, no problem aspect of it—is how easy it is to make yours feel different every time you style it. The dress is a blank canvas, with bags and jewelry and shoe choices waiting to be made to make the look completely your own, every single time. We’re wearing our maxi dresses on repeat this summer, and are breaking down exactly how we’re styling them below.
How to Style a Maxi Dress
With matching sunnies and a raffia bag
Not jetting off to Europe this summer? You can still dress like you are. With accessories like woven bucket bags and statement sunglasses, you can rock Amalfi Coast vibes even if you’re just heading to a restaurant a block away. Opt for sunglasses in a hue that matches your dress to pack a major punch, and choose a bag in a natural texture like raffia or wicker to amp the look up a notch. Minimal, strappy sandals work great with this look (but keep them below the ankle; sandals that wrap up your calf will cut off the lines of your leg).
With a clutch and slide sandals
Black is the unexpected spring and summer hue you didn’t know you needed in your rotation. Against a tan and with beachy hair, a black maxi dress will make you feel like a summertime goddess. For a night out, pair yours with a simple clutch and slide sandals for an elevated uniform you can wear time and time again.
With a beachy sun hat
Sun safety goes a lot further than just wearing your SPF every day. Not only will a sun hat add sun protection to your look—it’ll give the ultimate coastal cowgirl effect that’ll make your long dress feel even chicer. Opt for a woven wide-brim hat for a coastal effect, or choose a bucket hat in a contrasting pattern for some added edginess. For beachside walks or days walking around town, this look is a no-brainer. If you’re expecting things to get chilly at any point in the day, grab your denim jacket to have with you to throw over your shoulders whenever you need some added warmth.
With a blazer and heels
Throwing a blazer on over a maxi dress is an easy way to lean into a more formal look. If you’re going to a wedding this summer and want to prepare a layer in case you get chilly, a blazer is your best bet. It gives a cool, “I’m wearing my boyfriend’s suit jacket” effect that a cardigan or wrap couldn’t dream of. With your favorite pair of heeled sandals and statement earrings, it a chic twist on a classic formal event look.
With cowboy boots and a baseball hat
Haven’t you heard? It’s a cowboy boot summer (or dare we say cowboy boot year?). The obvious shoe choice for a maxi dress is a pair of sandals, so opting for your cowboy boots instead plays into the wrong-shoe theory to make the look ultra-cool. Keep the good vibes going by throwing on a leather jacket over your dress. This look is a guaranteed pick-me-up for days when you just need a bit of confidence.
The Best Maxi Dresses of 2024
