Event season is here, and the question of what to wear does not have to slow you down. The calendar is filling up with spring garden parties, summer weddings, long lunches or Christmas celebrations, the right dress makes all the difference.
At Flo & Frankie, we have just released a new edit of summer event dresses built around this season's colours and prints: rich reds, romantic florals, playful polka dots and easy neutrals in black, white and brown. There is a dress for every event in your calendar, and the accessories to finish the look.
Marie Claire has named Flo & Frankie a go-to for wedding guest dresses online in Australia.
Key Takeaways
- This season's event colours are rich reds, romantic florals, polka dots and easy neutrals in black, white and brown.
- Key silhouettes include structured maxis, bias-cut slips, one-shoulder styles and a standout mini.
- Not sure where to start? Red is the colour of the season and works across every event type.
- Finish the look with a stylish bag, a pair of sunglasses, a statement earring and the right heel.
This Season's Event Colours: What Are the Standout Shades?
The colour story for spring and summer events this season is confident and considered. Confident colours, considered prints and silhouettes that flatter.
This season, it is all about:
- Rich reds. The standout shade of the season. A red dress at a summer event reads effortless and intentional all at once.
- Romantic florals. Soft, feminine and made for warm-weather dressing. Florals this season lean fluid and bias-cut, easy to wear.
- Polka dots. A print that has had a serious moment, and it is not going anywhere. Spots in vanilla, blush and wine feel fresh and fun.
- Easy neutrals. Black, white and brown are doing a lot of work this season. Structured shapes and interesting fabrics keep them feeling polished, not safe.
Not sure where to start? Red is our pick. It photographs beautifully, works across every event type from summer weddings to Christmas parties, and the new arrivals in red linen and floral georgette are some of our favourites.
The Best Red Dresses for Summer Events
Red is the colour of the season, and the new arrivals do it justice. These are three red dresses worth knowing about.
Results Red Linen Maxi Dress
Stories Be Told's Results dress is a sleeveless maxi in red linen with a structured silhouette that holds its shape through a long day. The clean lines make it easy to dress up with a heel and statement earring, or keep relaxed with a flat sandal for a garden event. Linen in summer is always the right call.
Lagoon Red Cream Floral Maxi Dress
Georgia Zoe's Lagoon dress brings together two of the season's biggest trends: red and florals. The one-shoulder silhouette and ruched detailing give it a polished feel that works beautifully for a summer wedding or Christmas party. All in the details.
Adelaide Red Linen Mini Dress
Among the Brave's Adelaide Mini dress is full of personality. Puff sleeves, a panelled construction and red linen make this a dress that earns its place at any spring event. Pair it with a strappy heel and a clutch, and you are ready.
Styling note: Red pairs beautifully with gold jewellery and minimal black accessories. Red and gold is a classic combination that never misses.
Floral Dresses for Spring and Summer Events
Florals are the easiest yes in your event wardrobe this season. The right print does the work for you, and these three are exactly that.
Galore Cream Red Floral Maxi Dress
Georgia Zoe's Galore dress is cut in georgette with a bias cut and ruffle detailing that gives it beautiful movement. The cream and red floral print ties back to the season's colour story, and the slip silhouette feels effortless to wear from arrival to last dance.
Escapism Pink Floral Maxi Dress
Georgia Zoe's Escapism dress is a pink floral halter maxi with a tie-neck detail that adds a soft, romantic finish. The halter silhouette works well in the heat, and the floral print is feminine without being fussy.
Aston Cream Blue Floral Maxi Dress
Stories Be Told's Aston dress is a bias-cut flared maxi in a cream and blue floral print. The flared hem gives it movement, and the bias cut means it sits beautifully on the body. This one transitions easily from a daytime spring event to an evening celebration.
Styling note: Florals pair naturally with gold jewellery and a strappy heel. Keep the bag simple and let the print do the talking.
Polka Dot Dresses: The Print Worth Committing To
Polka dots have earned their place in the summer event wardrobe. This season's spot prints come in colourways that feel refined rather than retro, cut into silhouettes that feel very now.
Imani Vanilla Spot Maxi Dress
All About Eve's Imani dress is a vanilla spot halter maxi that is clean, confident and easy to wear. The halter neckline frames the shoulders beautifully, and the vanilla base keeps the look light and summery. A dress that feels effortless from the first wear.
Gusto Brown Blush Polka Dot Maxi Dress
Georgia Zoe's Gusto dress is a bias-cut halter maxi in brown and blush. The ruffle detailing gives it movement and softness. Polka dots in brown and blush: a print that feels fun at lunch and polished by dinner.
Centrestage Cream Wine Polka Dot Maxi Dress
The twist front detail on Stories Be Told's Centrestage dress is the kind of design touch that makes a dress feel special. Cream and wine spots, a short sleeve and a maxi length: refined and very wearable for a Christmas party or spring event.
Styling note: Polka dots work best when the rest of the look is kept simple. A clean heel, a structured clutch and a stylish earring. That is all you need.
Neutrals That Mean Business
Neutrals are never the boring choice when the cut and fabric are doing something interesting. This season's black, white and brown arrivals are anything but safe.
Defining Black Poplin Mini Dress
Every event wardrobe needs a little black dress, and this is it from Among The Brave. The Defining Mini's puff sleeves and structured poplin give it a formality that earns its place at a Christmas party or evening event, and the stretch back panel means it wears comfortably from the first drink to the last.
Colette Vanilla Linen Slip Dress
A linen strappy slip in vanilla is the summer event dress you will reach for again and again. Relaxed in feel but refined in its simplicity, the Colette from Assembly Label works for a daytime spring event or a long lunch. Accessorise with a gold bangle and a pair of tort sunglasses.
Eastern Brown Satin Maxi Dress
Satin bias cut in dark brown: this dress from Georgia Zoe has a quiet confidence that reads beautifully at a summer wedding or evening event. The Eastern's flared hem moves with you, and the satin finish catches the light in the best way.
Styling note: Neutrals are the perfect base for a statement accessory. Elevate the look with a bold earring, a chic bag and a heel in a contrasting tone. Gold jewellery works beautifully across all three colourways.
How to Accessorise Your Event Look
The dress is the foundation. The accessories are what make it yours.
Bags
A structured bag keeps the look polished. Our picks this season:
- Lost Structured Handle Shoulder Bag by Status Anxiety. A compact silhouette with a top handle and shoulder strap, easy to carry from ceremony to reception.
- Moment Leather Clutch by Status Anxiety. Soft pleated leather in a slim clutch format, refined and easy to hold all evening.
- Danielle Clutch by Billini. A sleek, minimal clutch that works with everything from a floral maxi to a black mini.
- Adore Small Shoulder Bag by Among The Brave. A small shoulder bag with a modern shape that sits neatly against the body.
Sunglasses
The right pair of sunglasses finishes a daytime event look. Our current favourites:
- Dream Boat by Le Specs. A classic oversized frame with a flattering shape that works with every face.
- Vienna and Cannes by Re: Union Label. Two refined silhouettes in tort and neutral colourways, very wearable.
- Barcelona by Among The Brave. A bold frame with a retro edge, great for adding personality to a simple dress.
Earrings, Bangles and Shoes
Add a statement earring from Humble + Heart in gold or silver, the Solid Round 14k Gold Plate Bangle from Stories Be Told, and the perfect heel to finish the look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best summer event dresses for 2026?
The standout styles at Flo & Frankie this season are red maxis, bias-cut floral slips, polka dot halter maxis and structured black minis. Look for breathable fabrics like linen and georgette, silhouettes that move easily, and prints that do the work for you.
What should I wear to a summer wedding as a guest?
A floral maxi, red dress or polished neutral is a strong choice for a summer wedding guest look. At Flo & Frankie, we look for breathable fabrics, a silhouette that moves easily, and a print or colour that feels warm-weather ready. Finish with a small shoulder bag, a statement earring and a heel.
What do you wear to a Christmas party?
A Christmas party calls for something with a little more energy. At Flo & Frankie, a structured black mini, a red linen maxi or a polka dot dress in deep tones all work well. The key is a silhouette that feels festive but not costume-like. Keep the accessories simple: a clutch, a hoop earring and a heel.
What to wear to a long lunch in summer?
A long lunch calls for something easy and put-together. Flo & Frankie's linen slips, floral halter maxis and polka dot bias-cut maxis all work beautifully. Comfortable enough to sit in for hours, polished enough to feel dressed. Add a shoulder bag, a pair of sunglasses and you are ready.
Ready for Every Event on Your Calendar
From the first spring event to the last Christmas party of the year, the right dress makes all the difference. This season's edit at Flo & Frankie covers every colour, every print and every silhouette you need, all just landed and ready to wear.
Rich reds, romantic florals, playful polka dots and easy neutrals in black, white and brown. A statement bag, a great earring, a pair of sunglasses and the perfect heel. The look is there.
