Best linen dresses to buy for Australian summer
Your summer wardrobe will be all about “versatile” and “effortlessly chic” linen dresses. Breathable, stylish and easy to wear, these are the dresses we are loving.
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When it comes to building your summer wardrobe, a linen dress (or two) is a must-have. The material is light and breathable, making it perfect for the Australian summer season, wicking away moisture to keep you cool.
“Linen is very versatile, allowing you to dress it up or down depending on the occasion, while still maintaining comfort,” says Lisa Bean, Senior Designer Buyer at THE ICONIC.
It is also “effortlessly chic”, according to Lisa, because of its lightweight and breathable feel, making it perfect for the warmer months.
She says that “wearing linen to the office feels just as right as wearing it to a family barbecue, a dinner with your friends, or even a party with an Aperol in hand”.
If you’re looking for the perfect summer dress, here’s our roundup of the best linen dresses you can buy in Australia right now - including the “elegant” Target dress that will only set you back $60.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the best linen dress for your needs and budget, we asked Lisa Bean, Senior Designer Buyer at THE ICONIC, for her expert advice and recommendations on what to look for when buying a linen dress. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best linen dress from premium to budget to help you find the right one.
OUR TOP PICKS
In this article
- What fit should I look for in a linen dress?
- What is linen made from?
- How do you care for linen?
- Is linen considered dressy?
- What types of occasions can you wear linen?
- How should I style a linen dress?
- What are the best shoes to style with a linen dress?
- What linen dresses can I wear with trainers?
EDITOR’S PICKS
European Linen Blend Puff Sleeve Midi Dress – Lily Loves – Black, $60 at Target
What You Should Know:
Crafted from a European linen/viscose blended fabrication, this dress is perfect for summer. It features a square neckline, short puffed sleeves with elastic cuffs, pleated bodice, tiered bottom panel, split on front side for movement and a straight hemline. This super elegant design means that it is deal for both day and night events and can also be dressed up and down.
It also comes in three other colourways if black isn’t your thing. There is a purple floral print, a lighter pink one and a neutral bone colour too.
Sunday In The City Movin On Up Linen Dress, $129.99 at OZSALE
What You Should Know:
We all need that easy, breezy summer dress that we can throw on with a moment’s notice and know we are going to feel and look good. This dress is just that.
Made from a linen blend fabrication and featuring a shirred bodice and tiered skirt, this is a dress that will suit everyone. The ribboned straps also add that perfect touch of femininity.
BEST LONG LINEN DRESSES
Aere Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, $170 at THE ICONIC
What You Should Know:
I am obsessed with this baby blue dress from THE ICONIC’s in-house label Aere. The rounded neckline paired with the fitted, tructured bodice and the voluminous, gathered sleeves work together to create the ultimate “event” dress.
Aere Linen Ruffle Midi Dress, $160 at THE ICONIC
What You Should Know:
According to Lisa, “nothing encapsulates effortless Australian summer style quite like a linen slip dress.”
If you need a dress for a more dressy occasion, this soft pink number from Aere is a perfect op.
“The slim straps and slip-on silhouette make for easy styling, and the all-in-one look is perfect to throw on those days when you have no brain power,” says Lisa.
Seed Heritage Core Linen Strapless Maxi Dress in Black, $169.95 at Myer
What You Should Know:
It doesn’t get more elegant than this jaw dropping strapless number from Seed. The ankle-grazing length makes it suitable for all heights, while the 100 per cent linen material in a loose, fluid cut helps to make this stunning dress that tiny bit less formal. Plus, the black colourway is oh so chic. *chef’s kiss*
Rosetta Dress – Lemon, $89 at Petal + Pup
What You Should Know:
Another strapless number but this time in a super cute lemon hue, this dress screams summer. Whether you’ve got a summer wedding or even a Christmas party, this dress is definitely the way to go. The twist knot detail and cut out around the bust add that extra bit of intrigue that makes this figure-hugging dress a definite favourite.
Country Road Organically Grown Linen Blend Fluid Cinched Shirt Dress in Mocha, $279 at Myer
What You Should Know:
If you’re in need of a summer work dress, look no further. We love the addition of the puffed sleeves for a modern take on the classic shirt dress. The linen here has also been blended with silk to create a super soft material. Plus, the cinched elastic waist helps to give the dress some shape.
BEST SHORT LINEN DRESSES
Assembly Label Jillian Mini Dress, $100 at THE ICONIC
What You Should Know:
An easy, throw on dress is a summer essential. Crafted from pure linen, this dress is the perfect beach cover-up. It features a v neckline and back zip closure for easy access. Simple, relaxed and effortless. We can see this dress being worn a lot this summer.
Gathered Neck Mini Dress, $249 at Country Road
What You Should Know:
Add some colour to your life this summer with this super sweet sunrise orange mini dress from classic Australian brand Country Road. Made from a linen blend, we can see this being ideal for Christmas lunch with the family but also for afternoon drinks with friends too. It is made in a super flattering A-line silhouette and the short bell sleeves paired with the belted waist help to elevate it to that next level of elegance.
& Other Stories Puff Sleeve Wrap Mini Dress, $149 at THE ICONIC
What You Should Know:
Wrap dresses are as classic as they come when it comes to summer. And this take with short puff sleeves and a frill detail all in a super sweet white colourway is our pick for the season. Made from 100 per cent linen, this is another incredibly versatile option. Pair with heels or dressy sandals for a night out. Or wear with slides or sneakers to dress it down and wear out for brunch or the shops.
Dazie Weekend Wine Mini Dress, $79.99 at THE ICONIC
What You Should Know:
At first glance, this is similar to the Assembly Label dress above but with a broderie anglaise lace trim to add that sweet, feminine touch. This one also is gathered under the bust to provide a bit more shape as well. As a result, two dresses that are essentially both V-neck black linen mini dresses but for entirely different occasions.ê
WHAT FIT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A LINEN DRESS?
“The fit of a linen piece will ultimately depend on the style and what kind of look you are hoping to achieve,” says Lisa.
She also notes that because linen is a natural fibre, it may expand over time and work to the natural shape of your body.
WHAT IS LINEN MADE FROM?
You’ll find linen dresses in a range of styles, from dressier, party cuts to summer tunics that will get you through long, humid days. Made from the flax plant, linen is known to be durable and easy to care for – music to our ears, really.
HOW DO YOU CARE FOR LINEN?
The main rule to remember is to wash your linen pieces in cold water – hot water will shrink the fabric. Linen also wrinkles easily, but this can add to your look depending on the style of dress. Still, it’s best to line-dry linen or depending on the linen blend, tumble dry on low heat, and you may need to iron as well.
IS LINEN CONSIDERED DRESSY?
Linen is actually a super versatile material and can be dressed up or down. Lisa does suggest that when you’re dressing linen up to make sure to give your linen a quick press. Plus, like with anything, the accessories you wear will make a huge difference.
WHAT TYPES OF OCCASIONS CAN YOU WEAR LINEN?
According to Lisa, you can wear linen for almost any occasions.
“A linen dress is the summer equivalent of an LBD, making it the perfect piece to throw on when you don’t know what to wear – and can be dressed up or down depending on the dress code.”
HOW SHOULD I STYLE A LINEN DRESS?
Depending on your own personal style, you can wear a linen dress in a variety of different ways.
Lisa suggests pairing the dress with heeled sandals if you are dressing up, or it can also be dressed down with a casual pair of white sneakers.
She also says that a cotton overshirt on top can be handy for cooler days, and don’t forget to accessorise with gold studs, or a box-style bag to complete the look.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SHOES TO STYLE WITH A LINEN DRESS?
“The easiest way to dress up a linen dress is to pair it with heels, and if your dress is in a neutral shade, this is a great opportunity to incorporate an unexpected colour,” Lisa says.
Alternatively, you could wear some sneakers or a chunky sandal too.
WHAT LINEN DRESSES CAN I WEAR WITH TRAINERS?
“These days, anything can be paired with a classic sneaker, and a linen dress is no exception,” says Lisa. Whether you’re going for that contrast look by pairing a feminine dress with an unexpected shoe or if you’re simply looking to dress down a more formal style.
The world is your oyster.
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