As the weather begins to heat up, we’re opting for easy-to-wear outfits that keep us cool on long summer days and pair flawlessly with our go-to sandals and accessories. One piece that is guaranteed to see us through the season, looking and feeling gorgeous, is the classic mini dress. With an almost endless array of iterations of this thigh skimming style, there’s a mini dress out there waiting to be worn to any of your summer plans.

To get you feeling inspired and ready to embrace the shorter hemlines ahead of the warmer weather, we’ve put together some must-try summer outfit ideas with our favorite new season mini dresses.

Day to Night

Versatile, wearable and ever stylish, the right mini dress can be dressed up or down to seamlessly transition from day to night. A classic black mini dress in a luxurious slinky material such as a satin slip style is the perfect pick if you’re looking to take your outfit from low key daytime plans to an elegant evening date night or relaxed dinner with friends. Pair it with flat sandals and a coordinating cross body bag for the daytime, then sub for leather heeled mules, a mini clutch bag and layers of delicate gold jewelry after dark. 

Evening Look

With an endless choice of fabrics, colors, prints and silhouettes, you’ll find a mini dress to suit whatever your summer evenings have in store. In the height of summer, look for sleeveless styles and feminine low backs, or stay warm towards the end of summer as the evening heat begins to fade in a mini with billowing long sleeves. Add a pair of heels to take your evening look to the next level and finish with gold statement earrings and your hair in a loose bun.

Casual Weekend Look

A comfortable yet stylish mini dress is our go-to uniform for a casual weekend look over the summer months. All over bohemian inspired patterns, geometric shapes or floral motifs in fresh shades instantly elevate even the most casual pieces. Opt for a silhouette and fabric that is easy to wear and will keep you cool as the mercury soars. Let the mini dress be the center of your look and choose a color palette that complements and highlights your natural features. Accessorize with a woven sun hat and a handbag or beach tote that can carry your everyday essentials.

Effortless Beach Look

When choosing the perfect outfit to take us to and from a day spent relaxing on the sand, cooling off in the surf and exploring the coast, something comfortable, cool and effortlessly stylish is a must. A lightweight knit or crochet mini is a fail proof option to throw on over your bikini, whether you’re taking a stroll down the beach or seeking shade and an ice cold young coconut to quench your thirst. Neutral shades of beige, shimmering gold and off white make up a quintessential summer color palette and coordinate seamlessly with even the most vibrant swimwear pieces.

From a must-have mini that can be dressed up or down with ease, to an elegant evening look, casual and comfortable daytime look or laid back beach outfit, the mini dress is undoubtedly dominating our summer wardrobe this season. Experiment with fabrics, prints and silhouettes to find the perfect look for any occasion.