I Tried Every Size-Inclusive Summer Dress Worth Shopping This Season – These 21 Impressed Me

For some, summer dress season is the most wonderful time of the year: the sun comes out, layers come off and skin can be bared in the scorching heat. For others (i.e. me) the season only inspires dread. And that dread is never more pronounced than on the search for plus-size summer dresses.

From wedding guest gowns to casual frocks, it’s so often slim pickings for women with fuller figures like mine. The most stylish summer dress trends are rarely available in extended sizing, and when they are, they aren’t always as flattering on a bigger frame. Then there are the unspoken rules that govern bigger bodies: rules that suggest bellies, boobs and bits that jiggle should simply be hidden under far more fabric than is tolerable in a heatwave. So what, then, do we wear to the never-ending nuptials, picnics and soirées in store this summer?

Frankly, I’ve had my fill of oppressive, frumpy fashion. And if you’ve landed here, it is likely because you have, too. Fortunately, I’ve searched high and low to find the best summer dresses available in 2023, trying them on for size and fit, so you don’t have to. Scroll on for a selection of size-inclusive dresses that come Vogue-approved, plus how to style them for flattering ensembles all-season-long. You’re welcome.

• The waist-cinching wrap dress: ASOS Design Curve Flutter Sleeve Midi Wrap Dress, £55
• The failsafe LBD: Rixo Kimmy Linen Waistcoat Dress, £225
• The sensual second-skin dress: Self Portrait Crystal Embellished Gradient Mesh Dress, £440
• The summer office staple: H&M Belted Shirt Dress, £34.99
• The flattering, feminine day dress: Doên Ischia Shirred Floral-print Organic Cotton-voile Maxi Dress, £320

Summer dresses for special occasions

Whatever your thoughts on the high street, there’s no denying that it’s home to some of the most inclusive sizing fashion has to offer. This romantic red midi from ASOS has a breezy chiffon fabric that you’ll appreciate on the hottest days, and comes exclusively in sizes 16-30. Big bust-friendly, its wrap detail ties comfortably to accentuate every curve and is perfectly complemented by boots, heels and sandals alike.

Made of sheer mesh and studded with sparkling crystals, this is not a dress for shy and retiring types. If you have a smaller bust, you might get away with going bra-free, thanks to its second-skin stretch material. As for me? I am a, er, well-endowed woman who knows my limits (read: underwear is non-negotiable). Spanx’s bodysuit adds a layer of support and coverage that enhances the gradient dress design and will come in handy throughout wedding season.

Another curve-friendly wedding guest dress from ASOS. This style’s plisse fabric lends a more premium feel and is fitted through the body with bold, capacious sleeves. It’s a great choice for those who feel most comfortable with their arms covered. Available in size s 16-30.

With fanciful tailoring and finishes, 16Arlington’s dresses do all the talking. This fuchsia number, complete with statement sleeves and an unmissable collar, is an excellent case in point. Capable of carrying your entire ensemble on fabulous construction alone, you won’t need too many accessories to make a stylish entrance, wherever you’re headed. Skin-soft satin keeps the fit comfortable in sizes up to a UK 18.

Rixo brings a touch of vintage glamour to your summer wardrobe via scintillating satin and classic lace trims. If, like me, you’re top heavy, the puff sleeves may fit a little snug, but they work hard to balance your proportions by creating a flattering silhouette. This autumnal rust hue holds a unique allure for evening events, but it’s also available in several summery colourways, up to a size 24.

Plus-size black summer dresses

The juxtaposition of a casual, cosy jersey and a shapely, elegant drape has made Skims’s lounge dress a cult favourite. Guaranteed to become a go-to for everything from errands to evenings out this summer, it truly is flattering on women of every shape. Ranging from XXS (UK size 2) to 3XL (UK size 26), size down if you prefer a figure-hugging fit – this one has a lot of stretch.

Consider this proof that you absolutely can – and should – wear all-black in a heatwave. Breezy linen and a button-up closure make this Three Graces London dress a sensible choice for sweltering temperatures, while the dark hue only enhances your silhouette.

Rendered in inky black, feminine frills take on a gothic edge. This is especially true of this ruffled maxi from ASOS, whose louche fit and high thigh slit bring welcome drama (and breeze) to your warm-weather wardrobe.

If throw-on-and-go ensembles are all you can bear in the summer heat, look no further than this dress from Doên. Its smocked bodice snatches you in at the adjustable waist, but is still comfortable thanks to its organic cotton and viscose-blend fabric. Easy to wear and minimally styled in a deep navy that reads black, this one comes in sizes up to a US 2XL.

The waistcoat is having something of a moment. Tailoring cotton and linen into a breathable zip-up dress, Rixo offers an easy way into the trend. The darted bodice is especially figure flattering, enhancing the curves of women up to a size 26.

Because of the amount of support my E-cup bust demands, I’d normally steer clear of any dress that is strap or shoulderless. However, Ninety Percent’s ruched dress makes a case for embracing the sag that comes with gravity, with clever stitching through the chest that lends a lifting hand.

Plus-size casual summer dresses

I have Vogue beauty editor, Hannah Coates, to thank for the discovery of this gorgeous cotton sundress. It looks as flattering on my frame as it did when I first spotted it on hers – a testament to the design which translates well even at extended sizes. I’m not usually one for florals, but between the fine print, floaty construction and adjustable, forgiving fit, this is a dress worth making exceptions for.

Not a dress per se, but worth a spot in your summer wardrobe all the same. There’s a delightfully undone quality to this distressed off-white co-ord, which is practically made for holiday selfies set against the sparkling Ionian sea. Plus, what sane person wants to get the iron out in a heatwave? Bravo, Ninety Percent.

Perfect for injecting colour into your closet, House of Sunny’s dress is cut from a cosy, breathable yarn. Just the kind of fabric you want to be in during a warm spell, it comes with adjustable straps for a look that is as form-fitting or relaxed as you prefer. The dress comes in sizes up to a UK 18, but you can take a size down from your usual as it stretches to your body.

While I wasn’t sure this dress would suit my bigger bust sans bra, I was surprised to find that the smocked top gives plenty of support. The spaghetti straps can be hoisted up for even more lift, or ditched completely to make a boob tube dress, if you’re that way inclined. Personally, I’ll be wearing it over a bra and white T-shirt, but I do love its versatility.

There’s something about a trainer and dress combo that reminds me of simpler times. Perhaps it’s Lily Allen famously tossing out the fashion rulebook in the Noughties, or the ease and practicality of wearing walking shoes. This satin Asceno slip can be dressed up with a pair of heels, but also looks good as a foundation for more comfortable footwear. Here’s to comfortable style all-summer-long.

There’s much to love about this Roksanda number. Besides the fact that this is a dress of glorious proportions, the brand has managed to create an oversized structure designed to work on a curvy frame. Usually, boxy silhouettes are undone by my sizeable bust, arms, hips and thighs, and will cling uncomfortably to those areas. This one, however, drapes exactly as intended, with taut cotton maintaining the interesting shape. Available up to a size 22, it’s a great resort-ready pick.

Plus-size work summer dresses

Thanks to the polished edge this pairing holds, I will almost certainly be wearing boots and a sundress to the office all-summer-long. Ganni’s range of long and lightweight cotton dresses is well primed for such an endeavour, with loose, draping fabric that is perfect for keeping cool. Having relaxed, oversized fits, you can take a size down in pretty much all of the brand’s pieces.

It doesn’t get more office-appropriate than a collared shirt. This one makes it perfectly acceptable to ditch the suit trousers you’d normally wear one with, thanks to smart stripes and a modest length. Bonus points for the breezy cotton construction, which you’ll be grateful for on the sauna-like commute.

A blazer immediately elevates anything you pair it with. When it’s as loose-fitting as this one from H&M, it’s a trusty companion for cooler summer days, and a convenient layer for surviving the chill of office aircon. As for the dress, its draped satin gives plenty of breathing room and is elevated by an asymmetric lace trim.

This dress straddles smart and casual dress codes with a collar, cinched-in tailoring and a cocktail length. An easy breezy option for both the nine-to-five and post-work drinks, it ticks my boxes for comfort and put-together style. As for the fit, it’s roomy and runs slightly large, so you can size down if need be.