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Fact: Stylish Women in Italy, France, and NY Will Ditch Everything to Wear This Elegant Dress All Summer

By Kevin Harson

Fact: Stylish Women in Italy, France, and NY Will Ditch Everything to Wear This Elegant Dress All Summer
@nlmarilyn wearing a white cotton Miu Miu dress with an Alaïa bag and flip flops.

Wearing white in the summer just makes sense. It's lightweight, reflects heat, and makes sun-kissed skin glow even more. White dresses specifically give off a sense of ease, which explains why the most stylish women in Italy, France, and New York gravitate to them throughout the summer months. A white dress is sophisticated but effortless. It never tries too hard. Whether you're headed to the beach, spending the day in the city, or dressing up for an occasion (just as long as it's not a summer wedding), you can always turn to a white dress in your time of need.

Ahead, I rounded up seven white-dress outfits you can replicate in 2025, from breezy maxis with sneakers to linen minis with fashion's favorite sandals. Though it might not feel like summer yet, trust me, it'll be here before you know it. Prepare accordingly by shopping the looks below, complete with accessories to take any simple white dress to the next level.

Anouk Yve wearing a white minidress, tote bag, and brown Hermès Oran sandals.

A mini shift dress looks all the more elevated with rich tan hues. Slide into some leather sandals and throw all your summer essentials into a brown tote for the ultimate summer look. Bonus if you're wearing it on a scenic cobblestone street.

Sophie Dress Ivory

Gap

Linen-Blend Mini Shift Dress

You really can't beat this price.

Oran Sandal

Though these are an investment, the potential cost per wear makes them basically free.

Mango Natural fibre shopper bag

MANGO

Natural Fibre Shopper Bag

Leather straps and drawstrings really make this shopper work for a beach or city day.

@nlmarilyn wearing a white cotton dress with an Alaïa bag and flip flops.

No need to overthink things here. A V-neck white midi with minimalist black sandals and a shoulder bag is simply perfection. You can never do wrong with a white-and-black color combination.

Asymmetric Sleeveless Linen Dress

DKNY

Asymmetric Sleeveless Linen Dress

Le Teckel Textured-Leather Shoulder Bag

ALAÏA

Le Teckel Textured-Leather Shoulder Bag

If you're a purse aficionado, the Le Teckel bag deserves a spot in your closet.

Slim Flatform Flip Flop

Havaianas

Slim Flatform Flip Flop

Havaianas are classics and the ultimate cool-girl summer accessory, especially with Gigi Hadid's recent brand campaign.

Aemilia Madden wearing a white cotton dress with a gray sweater and New Balance sneakers.

Add some gray sneakers to balance out the romantic vibes of a detailed white maxi dress. The added hair bow keeps things light, but New Balances and a cardigan for any rogue cool breezes keep it practical, too.

Quinn Dress -- Salt

Dôen makes it easy to find the most romantic and breezy white dresses.

Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan

Reformation

Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan

Throw a cardigan over your shoulders for transitional weather.

Gender Inclusive 530 Sneaker

New Balance

Gender Inclusive 530 Sneaker

You can never go wrong with gray New Balances.

The Silk Bow

Add some flair to your hair with this black bow.

Coco Schiffer wearing a white long-sleeve dress with a silver Tiffany & Co. cuff bracelet.

A slinky, long-sleeve dress that hugs in all the right places is a definite showstopper. Add some cool silver jewelry on top of your sleeves and style a slicked-back bun to really seal the deal.

Long Sleeve Crewneck Maxi Dress

Eterne

Long Sleeve Crewneck Maxi Dress

A figure-hugging white maxi dress brings all the drama.

Sculpted Cuff

Add some sculptural pieces to your look, like a silver cuff.

СЕРЬГИ Baby Knot

Statement earrings will take your look up a notch.

Booked 52mm Rectangular Sunglasses

DEZI

Booked 52mm Rectangular Sunglasses

Rectangular sunglasses add some edge.

A woman wearing a white short-sleeve mini dress with a woven bag.

For a tropical vacation or a beachside getaway, a white linen mini is your friend. Pair it with a straw bag and some bold kitten heels to complete the relaxed vibe.

Anabella Linen Dress

Reformation

Anabella Linen Dress

Raffia Basket Tote

Strathberry

Raffia Basket Tote

A beach bag has never looked so stylish.

Carolyn

Dress up your feet with some red-hot sandals.

Gaia Scallop Earrings Gold

Kinn

Gaia Scallop Earrings Gold

Invest in some gold earrings you can wear with any outfit.

Laura Sanderson wearing a white off-the-shoulder dress with a crossbody bag and ballet flats.

A square-neck midi dress that you can wear off the shoulder or with the sleeves up gives you two looks in one. Add an eye-catching crossbody and comfy flats to stay comfortable and chic.

Oasis Midi Dress

Free People

Oasis Midi Dress

Want a boho vibe? Snag this midi dress from Free People.

Roxanne Assoulin the Cord Necklace

Shopbop

Roxanne Assoulin The Cord Necklace

The colorful cord mixed with the gold is a stunning combo.

Longchamp Small Le Foulonné Leather Crossbody Bag

Longchamp

Small Le Foulonné Leather Crossbody Bag

Add some contrast to your 'fit with a colorful crossbody bag.

The Demi Flat

These are some of the comfiest flats in the game.

@trendingwithtinsley wearing a straw bucket hat, white cotton dress, and flip flops.

Now, this is a beachy look I can get behind. Simple black flip-flops are functional to slip off and a bucket bag will help shield your eyes (and skin) from the bright summer sun. A white maxi like this also works as a cover-up in case you want to dip in the ocean—or at least squeeze in a tanning session.

Staud Nightshade Maxi Dress

Staud

Nightshade Maxi Dress

The open back of this dress is so elegant.

'liners' Flip Flop

For minimalist flip-flops, Tkees nails it every time.

Woven Raffia Bucket Hat

& Other Stories

Woven Raffia Bucket Hat

Throw on a bucket hat to shield your face from the sun.

Chan Luu Nova Necklace

This ocean-inspired necklace just screams summer.

Woven Bag

8 Other Reasons

Woven Bag

A knotted tote is always something that comes in handy.

Explore More:

Summer Dress
White Dresses

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