fashion

9 Dresses To Suit Every Occasion This Summer (And Every Summer After That)

15/12/22

Author: RIISE Team

DOCUMENTED BY: VAN DER KOOIJ

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We don’t really need to spell out all the reasons why we love summer.

But if we were to tell you one thing that’s high on our love list to the hotter months of the year, it’s the excuse to wear dresses every day.   

For the next few months, we’re forgetting all about jeans and complicated layering. A handful of carefully selected, versatile dresses are all we need to get through this season.

If you’re also looking to simplify your wardrobe options this summer, advice to follow. From outdoor dining to long days at the beach, these are the nine dresses the RIISE team will be wearing throughout the warmer months of the year.   

Beach throwover

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Sofia Tunic

UNIKSPACE

Documented By: @unikspace

Beach throwover

Spending time at the beach (or around any body of water) is the one summer activity we prize above all others. Aquatic days call for something simple to throw on after swimming – like UNIKSPACE’s Sofia Tunic. Lightweight, breathable and cut from a premium 100 per cent linen, in our humble opinion, a more beach-worthy dress doesn’t exist.

Brunch

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Documented By: RIISE

Brunch

There’s something about al fresco dining, sunny weekend mornings and an all-day breakfast menu that just feels right. For all your brunching or late lunching needs, look no further than Kowtow’s Tank Swing Dress in black or evergreen. Made from organic cotton jersey, the A-line shape falls perfectly for a relaxed fit – or can be brought closer with the removable tie waist. This mid-length number is sweet enough to run solo or dress up with some complimentary accessories, like a cute straw bag from Brie Leon or these hoop earrings from Monarc Jewellery

Dinners

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Hattie Mini Dress

fredric

Documented By: @__fredric__

Dinners

Those extra hours of sunlight and balmy evenings make a riverside restaurant or rooftop bar all the more enticing. If you’re planning to eat your way through a few nights this summer, we suggest keeping a little black dress at the front of your closet. Our personal pick for an LBD is Fredric’s Hattie Mini Dress. The pleated mini skirt, relaxed bodice and puffy sleeves are crafted from soft organic cotton, and it’s easy to dress up or down with heels or sneakers. (That means a dress you can rely on if a meal out turns into a night of partying.) 

Picnicking

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Documented By: Dominique Healy

Picnicking

If you’re planning to throw down a rug, surround yourself with packets of dips and spend an afternoon picnicking, a maxi dress is a frontrunner for comfort and practicality. For one that ticks both these boxes and doesn’t waver on style, we have our eye on the Sloane Dress from Dominique Healy. Made from a breathable flax linen, it’s perfect for outdoor activities on warm summer days. FYI, the Sand shade looks rather nice against all those grazing boards you’ll be parked up next to.  

Special occasions

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Documented By: RIISE

Special occasions

One minute you’re spending your weekends rugged up under a duvet on the couch, the next you have two engagement parties and four birthdays to attend. If the warmer weather sends your social schedule into overdrive, invest in a dress you can rely on whenever a special occasion comes knocking. Personally, we can’t go past Jillian Boustred’s stunning emerald green Regina Dress. Made from 100 per cent linen, it has a flattering and classy fit, while the sweetheart-meets-scoop neckline and contrast edge adds a touch of fun. The one guarantee of this dress: plenty of compliments. 

Festival

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Documented By: RIISE

Festival

There are moments when being an adult doesn’t feel that rewarding. But a run of live music and food and wine festivals through the hot months of the year is not one of those times. If your local council is helping to keep your events calendar full this summer, consider adding Van Der Kooij’s Lily Maxi Dress to your wardrobe. Crafted from organic cotton yarn, it’s silky and soft to the touch and has a slight stretch which makes for a comfortable fit. Add the matching white Kye Intimates set underneath for something a little Coachella-esque or wear it over a tank and with a linen coat if it’s a little cooler. 

All-rounder

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Documented By: Dominque Healy

All-rounder

Every summer wardrobe needs at least one heavy lifter. A versatile all-rounder that you can dress up or down and reach for day or night. Enter Dominique Healy’s Kashmira Dress. For starters, it’s black, a colour that’s hard to go wrong with and is cut from luxuriously soft linen, so can handle the summer heat. Add in its chic square cowl neckline, fitted bodice and A-line straight skirt and you have a dream dress that strikes the sweetest balance of sexy and cool. Seriously, it’s nearly too perfect.  

Date night

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Venus Dress

UNIKSPACE

Documented By: @unikspace

Date night

When the time calls for date night – be it with a romantic partner or your best friend – we all want a standout number on standby that we know will impress. For a dress that is sure to catch all of the compliments, UNIKSPACE’s Venus Dress has our backing. Cut from a luxurious burgundy deadstock silk fabrication, this absolute beauty was made through an exclusive collaboration between RIISE and UNIKSPACE. The ankle-skimming silhouette and plunging V-neckline (that is also mirrored at the back) is exactly the kind of flirtatious elements your romantic evening calls for. 

Summer wedding

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Documented By: @autark_

Summer wedding

Even if the matrimonial event on your calendar doesn’t land in the peak of summer, in Australia at least, the surrounding months can still be quite warm. So opt for a sartorial option that you won’t feel hot and bothered in like Autark’s Tie Front Dress. Its relaxed shape and organic cotton fabric – which the brand describes as “light as air” – will keep you cool no matter how hard you go on the dancefloor. 

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