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Fashion

Summer dresses for every occasion

Find your most flattering frock - from a floral garden party number to a chic picnic appropriate dress - as the temperature rises
Summer dresses for every occasion

Off the shoulder

A one-shoulder number is flirty so save this for your weekend wear. Don a pair of ballet flats for a BBQ and a pair of chunky heels for night topped with a jean jacket.

Floral Dress, $25. Winners.

Summer dresses for every occasion

Pleat it

Try a pretty pleated number in a bright sunny shade that will keep you cool and comfortable.

Pleated dress with print, $39. Joe.ca

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Summer dresses for every occasion

Try tribal

Make this vibrant tribal pattern appropriate for the office with an oversized blazer. Complete your outfit with earth-toned accessories such as wood bangles or a raffia clutch.

Alice + Olivia alameda printed crepe dress, $390. Netaporter.com.

Summer dresses for every occasion

Flower power

Break free from the traditional florals this season and go for a dark and stormy number for those days you’re feeling ready for fall.

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Dress, $35 (US). H&M.

Summer dresses for every occasion

All ruffled up

Not only will a nude shade look fabulous against your faux tan, this decorative neckline takes an unstructured dress up a notch.

Dress, $50 (US). H&M.

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Summer dresses for every occasion

Cocktail cutie

Your ideal summer après-work ensemble, this beautiful asymmetrical dress also works for more formal family occasions.
A Moveable Feast Starling Dress, $165. Aritzia.

Summer dresses for every occasion

Picnic chic

Wear this colourful striped number to a local park for an impromptu al fresco meal. Pair it with bright flats and a fedora to complete the casual look.

Dress, $70. Esprit.

Summer dresses for every occasion

Feeling blue

This royal blue maxi elongates your body and hides any imperfections — wear it for a chic stroll with lace-up gladiators.

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Shelbys summer dress, $198. French Connection.

Summer dresses for every occasion

Garden party

Wear this silk floral number with a cropped cardigan a la Betty Draper and play up the ‘60s era style with a strand of pearls.

Silk Knotted Floral Dress, $185. Banana Republic.

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Summer dresses for every occasion

Line it up

The great crisscross pattern gives a more formal feel to a casual dress. Belt it for the city or let it flow loose and breezy as a beach cover-up.

Dress, $120. Bedo.

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Summer dresses for every occasion

Get graphic

A formal dress with graphic splashes of colour is ideal for any skin tone. Take it to the office with a blazer in white or black.

Teenflo Printed Emmy Dress, $375. Holt Renfrew.

 

Summer dresses for every occasion

In living colour

A maxi that incorporates colour-blocking streamlines your figure and this combo of dark and bright shades is perfectly flattering for warm weather. 

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Colour-block maxi dress, $50. Smart Set.

Summer dresses for every occasion

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Chatelaine celebrates, inspires, informs and empowers. We know that Canadian women contain multitudes, and we cover all of the issues—big and small—that matter to them, from climate change to caregiving, Canadian fashion and what to cook now.

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The cover of the Chatelaine Summer 2025 issue, featuring a pink drink with a paper straw.

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In our Summer 2025 issue, we get real about what sex is like after 40. Plus, living together after divorce, our favourite beauty products of the year and 17 incredibly summery recipes, from ceviche to sour cherry cobbler.