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18 best smock dresses to beat the heat this summer

From tiered mini dresses to midis, the smock dress is the easiest, breeziest dressing

Updated on 18 Aug 2022, 10:42 BST

Carla ChallisCommerce Partnerships Editor

I find summer dressing more of a faff than winter, especially in the heat and humidity. Wearing a tight or restrictive high street summer dress during a hot and humid day has me starting to sweat at the thought of it.

My secret solution? Breezy and billowy summer smock dresses, all tiered and terrifically loose to waft around a British beach in.

Finding the sweet spot between summer loungewear and cute fashion, a smock dress is as stylish as it is sweat-free. Typically tiered, they're voluminous in shape and oversized, without a pinch of a button or a restrictive strap in sight; some come with shirred busts to add a little definition, but the best smock dresses are nothing but big, beautiful swathes of easy-breezy material.

How to style a smock dress

Wondering how to wear a smock dress? They're the perfect pairing to a chunky dad sandal (helps to balance out the width of the dress), a light loafer reminiscent of a 00s Alexa Chung or dressed up with a block heel; you can even rely on them come autumn, by swapping your sandals for boots and a pair of tights if needed.

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