I thrive in the heat, but a comfy linen dress helps me enjoy it to the fullest. At this point in the summer, I'm exhausted with most of my outfit combos, and squeezing my body into tight-fitting polyester just doesn't appeal.
The best linen dresses are a great compromise. I tested a bunch of linen dresses and asked my fellow style editors to share which they've tried and loved. My own favorite is a bold, black Crosshatch Linen Eastend Dress by Buck Mason. We also tried the popular, budget-friendly Quince 100% European Linen Scoop Neck Midi Dress. Then there's the Richer Poorer's Linen Maxi Dress, which the brand thankfully brought back this summer after it kept selling out.
Our favorite linen dresses dry sweat stains quickly, and are versatile enough for the beach or brunch. For more breezy high-summer clothing, see our guide to the best linen pants.
What is linen?
Linen is one of mankind's original textiles. Genuine linen is made from the flax plant, the same plant we get flaxseed from. Ancient civilizations would use it for everything from clothing and fishing nets to preserving their dead.
Linen has endured centuries of cultivation because it's a uniquely breathable, quick-drying, and anti-microbial fabric. Today, linen is made with machine-spun flax fibers and commonly found in bedsheets, towels, and other household items.
How we tested the best linen dresses
I tested linen dresses by wearing them on humid, 90-degree days, working up a sweat by going up and down subway stairs. I felt for which fabric blends were lightweight, breathable, and soft on my skin. I also tested their durability by washing, drying, and storing them properly:
- I hand washed each linen dress in cold water with a natural detergent (our home editor recommends this eco-friendly formula from Attitude). Pro tip: Never use fabric softener when you wash linen, as it breaks down the fibers more quickly.
- To get rid of wrinkles, I used an iron instead of a steamer. It's more effective to iron linen while it's still slightly damp (or you can re-wet it with a spray bottle).
- Linen is durable enough to withstand high heat. I used my iron's highest setting to smooth out any stubborn creases.
- I let them air dry on a clothing rack and store them on hangers.
Buck Mason Crosshatch Linen Eastend Dress
It looks effortlessly polished and keeps me cool. When I throw on this linen maxi dress from Buck Mason, I feel dressed and ready for a weekend in the heat. I wore it on a hike through a park followed by a dinner, and even though I worked up a sweat, I felt cool and fresh because the fabric dries so quickly.
It's made with a durable 100% plainweave linen. The 4.8 ounce linen is weighty enough that it won't fray easily. The Crosshatch Linen Eastend Dress is certainly not the lightest option I tested, but it has a nice pre-washed, lived-in feel made with a top-tier textile that's made to last.
It has a relaxed, non-clingy fit. I'm 5-foot-9 with a narrow ribcage, and usually dresses are loose around my bust. Thankfully, this A-line dress has an adjustable bodice. I also love its open back, which allows for even more breathability. I suggest you pull the rear strings as tight as you want them beforehand, then tie them tightly once it's on.
Quince 100% European Linen Scoop Neck Midi Dress
This Quince linen dress isn't a great example of what Quince does best — we think it does other textiles like organic cotton and cashmere much better. However, if you're after a 100% European Linen Scoop Neck Midi Dress that's just $80, we suggest you act fast: this style has been regularly sold out all summer.
It's form and function in one dress. "I love the fact that it has pockets, which is a huge win for functionality," writes style editor Samantha Crozier. "The shirred back is also a flattering touch, since it emphasizes your waist. Most linen dresses are pretty sheath-like, so I like that this one has some structure to it."
Choose a dark color so you won't see the short liner underneath. "Instead of a full-length lining, it stops right at the knees. You can't see this unless you're hanging out in the sun, but that's exactly what this dress was made for," says Samantha in her Quince linen dress review. Opt for the Martini Olive or Deep Navy to be safe.
Richer Poorer Linen Maxi Dress
It has an empire waist and full skirt. Freelance style writer Talia Ergas recommends this sundress if you have prefer a billowy silhouette. "Richer Poorer's Linen Maxi Dress has a flattering babydoll cut that I like to wear with a denim maxi jacket draped over my shoulders," she says.
It has thoughtful details. You can adjust its spaghetti straps for the perfect fit, and the back paneling is smock-like and stretches for comfort. Plus, it has spacious pockets for holding your keys, wallet, phone, lip balm, and other essentials.
The material is weighty but comfortable. Richer Poorer makes this dress with a linen-rayon blend that gives the skirt enough weight to drape nicely.
Tuckernuck Twilight Garden Crawford Dress
Wear it to the office or over a bikini. Tuckernuck is one of our favorite sources for work dresses. Its Crawford Dress has a high collar and office-appropriate skirt length, yet the relaxed fit means you can throw it over your swimsuit and wear it out afterward. Plus, its short, wide sleeves allow for more airflow.
It's machine washable. This dress is made with a cotton-linen blend, so it can withstand a gentle cycle. Just be sure to wash it with like colors.
Good American Lite Linen Denim Midi Dress
It has front and rear pockets. As it should be! Even if you carry an impractically tiny purse, you can still keep your wallet, sunglasses, and lip balm in any of its four pockets.
It looks like denim, but it's not nearly as heavy. I usually stay away from denim when it's hot out. However, the Lite Denim Midi Dress is made with a lightweight combination of cotton, cotton lyocell, and linen that I can move and sweat in, even as I wore it 98-degree heat.
It comes in an inclusive size range (XS-5XL). Good American is one of our favorite sources for plus-size clothing. It was a little roomy in the bust for me as a size 34B, so size down if you're small chested.
Everlane The Shift Dress in Stretch Linen
Everlane is one of our favorite brands for workwear and high-quality clothing basics. I wanted something unfussy to wear on my commute, and this butter-yellow work dress is comfortable even in a steamy subway station. The color is a nice neutral that feels on-trend.
I wear it to the office when the temperature is over 90 degrees. I like this boxy shift dress because it has a relaxed fit in the bodice, meaning it doesn't cling to me as I'm panting from going up and down stairs.
The touch of elastane allows for some stretch. This way it drapes a little nicer than stiff, starchy linen dresses. On the inside of the Shift Dress is a soft, stretchy liner that prevents the light butter yellow from being see-through.
It's easy to maintain. This dress held up after I washed and air dried it twice. There was no fraying and the color didn't fade even though I let it air dry in direct sunlight.
Olive + Oath The Palm Dress
It's made with 100% linen. There's no stretch to the Palm Dress because it's pure linen, but it's ideal if you have an allergy to synthetic fabrics like polyester. This dress is special because it has more structure than most linen dresses, thanks to a hidden detail in the rear.
There's a corset in the back. The design is similar to those of TA3 swimsuits, with a string-tie system in the rear that you can pull tight over the shirred fabric in order to define your waist. It comes in sizes 0-26.
It has a structured, retro-inspired silhouette. Olive + Oath's design harkens back to dresses from the 1950s, with wide halter straps, a fitted bodice, and darts around the bust to fit around your curves.
Damson Madder Elspeth Embroidered Nightdress
In her guide to the best nightgowns, style editor Samantha Crozier included a sleepwear-as-streetwear Elspeth Embroidered Nightdress from London-based label Damson Madder. It's mostly organic cotton with an infusion of 12% linen.
If you plan to sleep in it, Samantha suggests you size up. "The neckline is a little restricting, so those who thrash about in their sleep might find it a little too uncomfortable," she writes. See our guide to the best cooling pajamas for more summer sleepwear.
It's delicate, but not see-through. "The material on this one isn't as soft and billowy as the others, but it is considerably more opaque."
It's short enough for petite sizes. "If you're tall, this will be more like a shirt on you. I'm just under five feet two inches, and even I could use an extra inch or two on the hem," says Samantha. At this short a length, though, I would still wear some no-show underwear.
DISSH Alma Asym Linen Midi Dress
The relaxed fit on this billowy linen dress is perfect for those muggy days when you can't stand the feeling of constricting elastane around your body.
Its asymmetrical shoulder ties beneath the arm and is fully adjustable, so you can get place the neckline where you want it. It approaches toga territory, but you can modernize the ancient silhouette with some sleek sunglasses.
We found DISSH dresses run long, so even though the Alma Asym Linen Midi Dress is a "midi," the hem will be on the floor (especially if you're below 5-foot-5). Size down if you want a more fitted look.
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