what has summer got in store for maxi dresses?

From the disco days of the late 70s to the post-recession period of contemporary fashion, maxi dresses have lasted the test of time. Perhaps it’s because they’re like jeans (they can be dressed up or down) or possibly it’s because they hide the bits we’re not that fond of, while accentuating our best assets. Whatever the reason, maxi dresses are here to stay, along with skinny jeans and ballet pumps.

This season New Look has one of the best ranges of maxi dresses in the UK, with more than 50 styles varying from the ethereal through to the devilishly sexy. Here are three of our favourites.

maxi dresses, uk

Grey Racer Back Dipper Hem Dress

A key trend this summer is sport-luxe. Combining luxury fabrics with sporty styling this trend is right off the catwalk and sure to be a summer favourite. This maxi dress from New Look is spot-on for this sporty look. The grey stretch fabric kicks it all off, it looks sporty and the stretchiness means it actually is sporty. Plus, the light grey colour is the perfect blank canvas for accessories such as bowling bags, sports jackets and visors. The hem is above the knees at the front and skirts the heels at the back. It boasts a racer-style back to add more sporty style.

Tropical Loop Back Halterneck Maxi Dress

The tropical trend is taking over the high street already. From palm trees to Hawaiian flowers, the whole fashion world has fallen head over heals for Club Tropicana. This dress is perfect: palm fronds, pink lilies and pansies and a deep, dark background will make sure you stand out from the crowd. Clash your accessories if you dare, but if not stick to more vibrant neon shades of pink and green. Anna-Lynne McCord likes to don a uber-bright maxi too, as you can see here in Glamour Magazine.

Leopard Slinky Halter Maxi

Bring out your inner animal with this African inspired maxi dress. Animal print, tribal and ethnic styles form the backbone of the safari trend, one of the sultriest of the summer. Keep things cool with flat sandals and lots of wooden bangles and this is the ultimate ‘relaxed-glamour’ look we can find.