My summer dressing motto? If it isn’t a one-and-done item, I don’t want it. There’s just something incredibly appealing about the ease of having your entire outfit in one piece. No indecision, no rummaging for the right top, and no squinting at the weather app trying to decipher if it’s too hot for jeans or too cold for a mini. A great dress does all the heavy lifting for you, and, while shorts may claim to be the go-to of warm-weather dressing, they rarely deliver the same polish as an excellent midi, like COS’ Bubble-Hem Midi Dress.

It’s a sculptural number that taps into the return of 90s silhouettes, but with a 2025 twist. The bubble hem, once associated with designers like Cristóbal Balenciaga and, alas, Serena van der Woodsen’s puffball dresses of the early Aughts, is staging an impressively chic comeback. COS’ take is far more low maintenance than what you might’ve come to expect from bubble skirts (thanks Upper East Siders), and features a racer neckline, slim straps and side slip pockets.

The dress comes in two colours, and honestly, both deserve a spot in your wardrobe rotation. Style the ivory iteration with tan leather sandals and a Dragon Diffusion tote bag for an easy look that will take you from beach to bar. Alternatively, the black colourway is your shortcut to city-cool. Wear with chunky sandals and an oversized blazer for a daytime look, or elevate with a pair of kitten heels and a red lip.

COS’ Bubble-Hem Midi Dress is more than just your average midi; it’s what I’m calling a summer styling strategy. When one piece looks this polished, offers multiple different ways to style it, and works for everything from brunch to balmy evenings out, why overcomplicate things? Whether you opt for the soft ivory (that also happens to be perfect for any bride-to-be) or the classic black, I’ve essentially just solved summer dressing in one fell swoop. 

Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she’s hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she’s going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram or TikTok.