A summer strappy dress with tie straps and a flared midi skirt

Tie straps that decide where the bodice sits

The straps end in ties. Knot them shorter and the bodice rides higher, let them out and it drops, so you set the length to your own torso instead of hoping a fixed strap lands in the right place. We cut the neckline straight, and it lies flat across the bust. From the waist the skirt flares and finishes below the knee.

Why does a covered knee matter in July? You can sit down on a bus or take the stairs two at a time and never think about the hem. That was the plan when we designed it, a sundress for a hot city and a long walk.

Two numbers settle the size. Take your bust and waist, then look them up in our chart. The dress comes in XS to XL, roughly US 2 to 12, and the flared skirt leaves plenty of room at the hip.

One black floral midi from the beach to a café table

Dark prints are easy. Small flowers on a black ground sit well next to denim, white and beige, and that’s most of a summer suitcase already. For daytime we’d put white sneakers and a tote with it. On vacation it slips over a swimsuit for the walk from the sand to lunch.

Evenings ask for very little. Change into heeled sandals, pick up a small baguette bag and add hoop earrings, and the summer strappy dress that spent the morning at the market is ready for dinner. Does the air cool off later? Throw on a white shirt left unbuttoned, or a denim jacket, and the ties still show.

This is a warm-weather style, so treat the page as planning ahead and sort out your size before the heat arrives. Want something to compare it with? Have a look at our other dresses for the hot months, at more black dresses with a flower print, or at floral midis in different cuts.

Frequently asked questions

Can the straps be adjusted?

Yes, that’s what the ties are for. You retie them until the straight neckline sits where you like it, and you can change your mind every time you put the dress on.

How long is the skirt on this strappy sundress?

It’s a midi that covers the knee. The flare starts at the waist, so there’s room to walk fast.

What goes over thin straps on a cool evening?

A white shirt worn open, or a denim jacket. Both pick up colors that already work with the print.

Is a summer strappy dress in black too dark for the beach?

We don’t think so. The flowers lighten it, and with flat sandals and a straw tote it looks like a vacation dress, not an evening one.