Life

Fashion:Why a white dress will always remain the perfect summer staple

From midi to maxi, Prudence Wade takes a look at the 2020 way to wear white

The key with a white summer dress is to keep things floaty, whimsical and fun
The key with a white summer dress is to keep things floaty, whimsical and fun The key with a white summer dress is to keep things floaty, whimsical and fun

A KNOCK-out white dress is often at the centre of a major fashion moment. Whether it's Marilyn Monroe standing over a grate with her skirt billowing up, Angelina Jolie in a plunging silk number at the 2004 Academy Awards, or Michelle Obama wearing Jason Wu for the 2009 Inaugural Ball, the perfect white dress can elevate a look to something iconic like little else.

This season, the key is to keep things floaty, whimsical and fun – like a fashion palate cleanser; something we're all in desperate need of right now after weeks in jogging bottoms. Even if you're not leaving your house much or at all, summer is by no means cancelled, and you'll want to be fully prepared with a white dress ready for any event you might be attending in the future.

For this trend, keep to simple, block colours. You can experiment with varying shades of whites, creams and ivories if you want to, but it's really about keeping your look plain and fresh.

MINIS

The key to pulling off a short white dress without looking too twee is to keep things loose and casual. Wear with a pair of sandals if you want to dress it up a bit, or colour block with clean white trainers to keep the look relaxed. These don't have to be super short, micro-dresses, but hemlines grazing or even covering your knee will do just as well.

Ida Broderie Mini Dress, £79, available from Hush
Ida Broderie Mini Dress, £79, available from Hush Ida Broderie Mini Dress, £79, available from Hush
Pure Cotton Embroidered Shift Dress in Winter White, £31.60 (was £39.50), M&S
Pure Cotton Embroidered Shift Dress in Winter White, £31.60 (was £39.50), M&S Pure Cotton Embroidered Shift Dress in Winter White, £31.60 (was £39.50), M&S
Pure Cotton Broderie Swing Dress in Ivory, £39.60 (was £49.50), M&S
Pure Cotton Broderie Swing Dress in Ivory, £39.60 (was £49.50), M&S Pure Cotton Broderie Swing Dress in Ivory, £39.60 (was £49.50), M&S

MIDIS

The midi is one of the most wearable styles when it comes to white dresses – it's easier and not as informal as the mini, or as intense as the maxi. We particularly love a midi shirt dress – this look oozes Mediterranean glamour. Sophisticated and effortless, all you have to do is throw it on with some sandals or wedges and you're ready to go.

Petite Ivory Broderie Bardot Dress, £40.50 (was £45), Dorothy Perkins
Petite Ivory Broderie Bardot Dress, £40.50 (was £45), Dorothy Perkins Petite Ivory Broderie Bardot Dress, £40.50 (was £45), Dorothy Perkins
Lovely Linen Blend Dress in White, £45, Joe Browns
Lovely Linen Blend Dress in White, £45, Joe Browns Lovely Linen Blend Dress in White, £45, Joe Browns
Principles Petite Ivory Broderie Anglaise Cotton Petite Midi Dress, £19.50 (was £39), Debenhams
Principles Petite Ivory Broderie Anglaise Cotton Petite Midi Dress, £19.50 (was £39), Debenhams Principles Petite Ivory Broderie Anglaise Cotton Petite Midi Dress, £19.50 (was £39), Debenhams

MAXIS

You might normally shy away from a full-length white dress because it looks too much like you're going to your wedding, but there are ways to pull off the look without raising any eyebrows. To make sure you don't look too bridal, experiment with different fabrics – like scuba or terry cloth – and play around with cut-outs and detailing, taking the dress away from looking a tad too traditional. And maybe don't wear this style to an actual wedding...

PETITE One Shoulder Scuba Maxi Dress in Ivory, £35.40 (was £59), Miss Selfridge
PETITE One Shoulder Scuba Maxi Dress in Ivory, £35.40 (was £59), Miss Selfridge PETITE One Shoulder Scuba Maxi Dress in Ivory, £35.40 (was £59), Miss Selfridge
PETITE Dobby Bardot Maxi Dress in Ivory, £19.50 (was £39), Miss Selfridge
PETITE Dobby Bardot Maxi Dress in Ivory, £19.50 (was £39), Miss Selfridge PETITE Dobby Bardot Maxi Dress in Ivory, £19.50 (was £39), Miss Selfridge
Lace-Insert Maxi Dress in White, £38.50 (was £55), Accessorize
Lace-Insert Maxi Dress in White, £38.50 (was £55), Accessorize Lace-Insert Maxi Dress in White, £38.50 (was £55), Accessorize