The best high street maxi dresses to wear during the heatwave

It’s too hot for jeans – these breezy maxi dresses are all we want to wear. (Picture: Metro/Getty) Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more If there’s one item that deserves a permanent spot in your heatwave rotation, it’s the maxi dress. The floatier and looser-fitting, the better. It’s the ultimate one-and-done outfit that needs no time spent wondering what will match, what shoes will go with it, and the best summery ones won’t cling to your skin, leave sweat patches, or make you self-conscious about areas you’re self-conscious about. But in a heatwave like this, fabric is key; you want lightweight, breathable materials that are quick-drying and need little to no ironing, like cotton or linen. Ditch the polyester when temperatures are scorching. Whether you’re after something floaty and floral for the office, a wedding or evening drinks, there’s a maxi dress out there that will tick all your boxes. Plus, the high street offers plenty of options at budget-friendly prices, whether you’re dressing up or down – and we’ve hunted high and low to handpick the very best. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Everything on our list is designed to be worn again and again, to help you survive the heat with a bit of dignity. Scroll on for the pieces we’re adding to our basket before they sell out. The best maxi dresses to shop now Tu Clothing Orange Jersey Maxi Pocket Dress Tu Clothing is one of the best places to shop this summer, with affordable pieces that look twice the price. This jersey dress is thin, lightweight and won’t leave you feeling sweaty. Pair with sandals and a tote for an easy, low-effort outfit. Buy Now for £20 Cos Tie-detail Pleated Georgette Maxi Dress If you have a wedding coming up and want to invest in a summer dress that’s a little fancier and worth the cost, this pleated polka-dot design from Cos is perfect. It’s fully lined with an elegant twisted-knot back and a floaty, relaxed fit that will keep you cool and looking good, no matter how high the temperatures get. Buy Now for £139 Topshop Sleeveless Open Back Buckle Strap Cotton Blend Maxi Dress This is one of the best styles for a heatwave; there’s no clinginess thanks to the trapeze shape and the adjustable ring straps at the back allow you to keep it loose and flowy. All you need is deodorant, suncream and a pair of sunnies. Buy Now for £55 Nobody’s Child Brown Polka Dot Cali Halterneck Maxi Dress This polka-dot print is very on-trend, and the open-back, sleeveless design makes it ideal for a hot summer wedding. Especially if the ceremony is outdoors. It’s available in regular and petite sizes, and one happy shopper, Alina, described it in her five-star review as 'Material feels lovely and falls beautifully.' Buy Now for £71.20 (was £89) Next Chocolate Brown Stripe Halter Neck Maxi Dress This is a holiday wardrobe essential, for evening walks on the beach, sunset dinners and cocktails by the pool. It’s elegant without any effort, and needs very little accessorising. Sandals and gold jewellery is all you need. Buy Now for £55 H&M Bandeau Maxi Dress Sometimes it’s just too hot to make any effort, and what you actually need is something cheap, loose-fitting and fuss-free. This H&M bandeau is exactly what you need for those days. It’s less than £20, comes in brown, black, and light blue, and has a stretchy jersey fit. We’re buying it in every colour. Buy Now for £12.99 River Island Black Geometric Textured Maxi Dress This is an effortlessly cool design for hot days, with a sleeveless silhouette and a non-clingy fabric that won’t leave you looking like a sack. The square neckline and geometric pattern add a formal touch, but you could wear this to the office or a wedding with equal ease. Buy Now for £32 New Look Blue Striped Shirred Bandeau Dress Ditch straps and sleeves with this shirred style that will be form-fitting enough around your bust to stay put, yet still have a breezy skirt to keep you cool. It's an easy, breathable option for a beach holiday or a garden BBQ. Buy Now for £36.99 Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below Arrow MORE: 10 stylish summer co-ords that make getting dressed in a heatwave effortless Arrow MORE: The best cooling bedding and sleep essentials to survive the UK’s current heatwave Arrow MORE: boohooMAN’s new summer collection has everything men need for holidays, festivals and heatwaves