The best maxi dresses to see you through this season

Your ultimate guide

maxi dresses
(Image credit: BAOBAB)

There is nothing better for styling out the current transseasonal weather, than a maxi dress, which is handily still high on the agenda for the Spring/Summer 2024 trends. Tapping into the season's top maxi dress trends, the maxi dress is luckily, a very versatile wardrobe staple for many seasons, so keep scrolling to find out which one will grab your heart.

Maxi dress trends

We are very much in love with this season's minimalist mood. While there are still plenty of references to the 90s thanks to slip dresses and square necklines, floaty fabrics and linens make for a perfect timeless design, which you can easily layer when it gets colder.

Are you into all things boho and feminine? We've got a feeling you'll love prairie dresses. If you pick a style with puff sleeves and a ruched bodice, it'll suit most body shapes too, and looks great layered under a denim jacket or oversized blazer.

If you like a pop of colour, then you're in luck. We've got everything from bright florals to bright checks, with a splash of orange. See Tory Burch maxi dresses and Max Mara dresses for some serious colour blocking. Wallflowers, abstain.

Regardless of the occasion, we've scoured the high street and designer fashion stores to find the best maxi dresses in the shops right now. Click through to shop our edit.

Best Wedding Guest Maxi Dresses

If you, like many of us, have an impressive amount of summer weddings, bag yourself a versatile floor-skimmer that can be reworked throughout the season. Maxi dresses are a great choice for formal occasions when complemented with a statement clutch and strappy heels - Zimmermann, Kitri and Rixo are among our go-to brands when it comes to choosing something special.

If you want to try your hand at one of this season's more daring trends, consider shopping for maxi dresses with a lace insert or geometric prints. Team with statement sandals for a striking new season look. We love high street brands Zara, & Other Stories and Mango for trendier pieces.

maxi dresses

(Image credit: @fisayolonge)

Best Holiday Maxi Dresses

We wouldn't blame you if you were already day dreaming (or sourcing inspiration) for your next summer getaway. To be totally honest, we are too.

From hot summer nights having dinner near the ocean, to morning dips by the pool, a maxi dress can really see you through any holiday occasion. Our pro tip? Invest in pieces that will suit your needs wether it's a beach cover up or a day to night dress, the more tailored to your needs, the more use you'll get out of it.

Influencer wearing maxi dress

(Image credit: @rachelle.rowlings)

Best Office Maxi Dresses

Everyone loves a maxi dress when looking for key power dressing office wear. From do-it-all dresses that are great for a quick grab and go, to layering staples that look incredibly chic paired under blazers and accompanying loafers or ballet flats.

You truly can't go wrong with a maxi dress in any season.

office maxi dresses

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

Best Sheer Maxi Dresses

16 Arlington, Prada, Tory Burch, and Saint Laurent where amongst key motivators for the sheer trend this season. From sheer dresses to tops and even sheer coats, it's all about transparency. A personal favourite, fell amongst the sheer maxi dress.

Perfectly paired with sleek undergarments or used as a layering tool, we love the versatility of this texture and how breezy, chic, and innovative it is.

women in sheer maxi dress

(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Best Evening Maxi Dresses

With warmer days come brighter evenings, meaning a dazzling evening dress is a rare commodity as evenings aren't coming around until 9:00 PM. Which is why we selected some truly elegant evening dress options that could see you through a brighter evening turning into a sunset spectacle. Elegant, chic, and timeless.

maxi dress

(Image credit: @mayraandradeofficial)
Sofia Piza
Fashion Writer

Sofia Piza is the Fashion Writer at Marie Claire UK. 

Sofia Piza is a Fashion Writer with experience working across runway trends, shopping picks, creative production, and celebrity fashion news. Born in Mexico and raised in five countries, Sofia decided to settle in London after spending four years at the London College of Fashion, studying Fashion Journalism. When she's not sourcing inspiration from social media, you will most certainly find Sofia anywhere from a local vintage market to busy central London streets people watching - the possibilities are endless. 

With contributions from