If we could reinvent the little black dress, it would look something like this: deliberately understated, decidedly feminine and fabulously floaty.

We love nautical stripes; they just scream summer. This light summer dress is made all the more irresistible thanks to its dungaree-like appeal.

This cream patterned tea dress is such an easy and ageless piece, with tiny dots of black and ochre against a buttery creamy base.

This long, striped cotton dress is deliberately oversized, with drop-shoulders and loose balloon sleeves giving it real body – though you can alter and shape it as much as you like with the removable waist tie.

Tiered dresses are unfailingly feminine and we make no exception for this softly structured, chambray example. It's the ultimate companion for heading to the beach and we just know that there's not a skin tone or hair colour that it won't suit.

Cut from super-soft viscose, this acid yellow tiered dress feels as fresh and breezy as it looks and is a remarkably easy wear for a broad range of skin tones.

This striped, tiered dress is one of our favourite summer pieces. You can just as easily dress it up for a summer party (think wedges, stacked bangles and a big straw hat) as fling on a pair of flip flops and head down to the beach.

Polka dot dresses have been in style for as long as any of us can remember, though many of us tend to shy away from them as we mature. This long sleeved, tiered dress reminds us exactly why polka dots deserve attention at any age.

Edgy but unfussy, this oversized linen dress is light and blousy, meaning you'll stay cool and comfortable in warmer weather.

Daintily dotted with black metallic flecks, this semi-sheer, long-sleeved dress has many a pretty feature, including gently ruffled tiered skirt with black underlay, a dipped hem and a waist tie.

A grey and easy, everyday dress with a simple v-neckline and 3/4 sleeves.