For me, a dress is the cool, chic, quintessence of summer. For ease and convenience, no other garment can surpass it. You don’t have to worry about separates, or whether X goes with Y – simply pop it on, and you’re good to go. Whatever the weather, the right dress is sunshine in fabric form.

I’d say that the best summer dresses all share that indefatigable mix of high impact and low maintenance. In any given season, the perfect one will nod to current trends (but not slavishly), come in a fabric that’s easy to care for (dry-clean-only dresses are not my favourites) and travel well (ironing is not my favourite either).

Almost all my most cherished summer dresses are white, many of them decades old (and remarkably, still white, given I’ve raised two children through eighteen summers and counting). Nothing makes you feel more summery than a white dress, be it a simple sun dress, a shirt dress or a more voluminous puff-sleeved style. White also lends itself wonderfully to textures, from cheesecloth to linen to cotton to silk.

There’s one particular summer dress that seems a portent for only good things to happen whenever I wear it. It’s a very simple white textured cotton ankle-length sun dress that never seems to need ironing. I pack it for every summer holiday and have so many happy memories of wearing it on the beach at various White Nights at my favourite Greek hotel, watching my daughters dance on the sand.

While we all inevitably have our favourite summer hues, there’s no colour that you shouldn’t wear. Much as I adore a white dress, I often gravitate towards black, particularly when travelling, because it’s such an understated, classic and above all, practical shade. Those for whom black feels too wintery could consider brown instead: it’s had a huge resurgence in recent seasons, but largely for autumn and winter. A caramel, chestnut or chocolate coloured dress can look really impactful in high summer, particularly in a simpler cut, such as a slip dress. Where black can sometimes make a very pale person look paler, brown looks incredible on most skin tones.

We’re living in an era of cultural fragmentation, and fashion is as affected by this as any other medium. As a result, no one trend dominates the season – an excellent thing, as it means you can and should cherry-pick what suits you. Knee-length is as acceptable as floor-length; bodycon as acceptable as balloon. Midi is classic for a reason: it’s perennially chic and versatile. You could give yours a 2025 spin by adding a fringed or studded bag that plays to this season’s boho trend. You could also rethink its shape: instead of a loose version, a midi dress with a narrow waist and a full skirt might look more current and would work well with this season’s array of ballet flats.

This is a great question, and one we’re likely all considering more in these budget and planet-conscious times. I always say that the right dress can look right almost anywhere, in any setting, provided that you style and accessorise it cleverly. Obviously, there are exceptions – a tiny satin slip might be challenging in a corporate environment – but in the main, there’s usually a workaround. Floaty, beachy styles can be transformed into everyday wear by adding a blazer or a denim jacket, while swapping out a sandal for a white sneaker can instantly make holiday styles feel more city or town-appropriate. I also love a slightly oversized jumper or cardigan worn over a dress of the same hue: it’s a really chic look that harnesses the impact of monotone dressing.

Back to banging my brown drum again, but you can’t go wrong with a brown cross-body bag, which will be particularly useful this summer for lending your dresses a touch of boho. Flat, strappy metallic sandals are another key summer accessory: when toned with your jewellery, they can really tie a look together. Being neutral, they’ll go with every dress you can throw at them, making them a cost-effective choice that will work hard.

A capacious neutral leather (or vegan leather) tote is an easy, stylish and practical way to add new season relevance to a summer dress, or any other look. After seasons of tiny bags dominating the trend cycle, these larger bags are a welcome return to practicality, with the added bonus that they can amply stow a knit or jacket – ideal, given the vagaries of the British weather!

Laura Craik is a fashion and lifestyle writer and a former fashion editor of The Times, The Guardian and The London Evening Standard.