There's A Gingham Summer Dress For Everyone - Here Are 18 Styles To Shop Now

Elle

11-07-2025

A gingham summer dress is at the top of my summer wish list and I blame three (impeccably dressed) women. First, it was Sarah Jessica Parker, who emerged from an interview wearing a dirndl-inspired, corseted gingham dress (by Austrian designer Lena Hoscheck) atop a vintage-looking blouse. Carrie Bradshaw would approve, I mentally noted. Then, ELLE UK's Daisy Murray teamed a chocolate checked smock dress with a matching headscarf – both by If Only If. Finally, Olivia Rodrigo attended Wimbledon wearing a strawberries-and-cream shirt dress by Ralph Lauren. It was the holy trinity of micro-checks – I was sold.
The gingham summer dress isn't a new invention, and that's what makes it such a worthy addition to your wardrobe – it can be worn season after season, decade after decade. For example, the navy and white shift Jane Birkin sports in 1969 film La Piscine wouldn't look out of place today; nor would the pink gingham dress Brigitte Bardot wore to her wedding in 1959 – minus the crinoline, at least for everyday purposes. Allegedly, it was so widely copied that it led to a shortage of gingham fabric in France.
Miuccia Prada has long been partial to the print, incorporating it into her own wardrobe, as well as her designs for Prada and Miu Miu. The same goes for Rei Kawakubo, who first introduced gingham into the Comme des Garçons lexicon in 1997, as the fabric of choice for the iconic 'lumps and bumps' collection; the print continues to be a key part of the brand's offering today.
If it's good enough for Rei and Miuccia (and Daisy and Sarah Jessica and Olivia), it's good enough for me – and you, dear reader. That's why I've rounded up 18 great gingham summer dresses to see you through the season and for many years to come. From shifts to shirt dresses, midi sundresses to mini smocks, consider this your (gingham) check list.
Do like Olivia Rodrigo and step out in a densely-checked shirt dress. To keep things from looking too scholastic, opt for a deep V-neckline or a form-fitting silhouette and finish with a sleek shoulder bag and cat-eye sunglasses.
When one thinks of gingham, one thinks of prairie dresses. A puff-sleeve midi and ballet flats are a timeless combination for summer, or go flirtier in the itty-bitty mini from Frankie's Bikinis collab with Bella Hadid – perfect with 1990s-inspired mules.
Summer's picnics and garden parties call for a pretty gingham sundress. The fitted bodice and full skirt has a 1950s feel, best contrasted by a pair of modern, minimal sandals or mules.
The pencil dress throws off its corporate associations when rendered in gingham print. Róhe's rendition is practically perfect in every way, and looks particularly good with ballet flats and a basket tote – ideally in a riviera setting.
The smock dress has our hearts, especially when it's made mini and adorned with gingham checks. Do like ELLE UK's Daisy Murray and wear If Only If's Brigitte dress with the matching headscarf and fisherman sandals.
SS25 sees the return of the Sixties-ish shift. Hunza G's halter style doubles as a dress and beach cover-up – wear it with the coordinating bikini and citrus-coloured flip flops.
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