Okay, it might have not been the warmest spring thus far, but with the weather finally looking up as we edge closer to summer, we’ve been seeing optimistic Scandis doing what they do best.That is, making the most of low-maintenance, high-impact dressing, and the item on heaviest rotation in the Nordic wardrobe right now? Sundresses, of course.

When I think about spring and summer fashion, my mind immediately goes to pretty dresses and sandals, but should the usual white dress + tan sandal combination feel a little bit samey, the Scandis have mastered the art of dress and shoe pairings to see you through the season stylishly. These cool girls have a way of making dresses that we’ve worn time and again feel brand-new, so before you relegate your old dresses to the back of the wardrobe, it’s time for an expert lesson in restyling the classics with a modern update.

Should you be preparing your outfits ahead of bank holiday and beer garden season, keep scrolling to see 6 Scandi-inspired dress outfits you’re going to want to wear now. Hot dresses and cool accessories for the win.

1. Dress and Cardi Co-Ord + Flats

Style Notes: It’s just good sense to have an extra layer ready for whatever the British “summer” has to throw at us, so what better option than a matching dress and cardigan co-ord that takes the fuss out of getting ready in the morning. Don’t find the exact colour you want? You can always cheat the look by pairing two pieces in a similar shade to recreate the look, and such an effortless outfit requires an equally laidback shoe. Enter the easy flat.

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2. Animal Print Dress + Mules

Style Notes: Animal print dresses are back (that is, if they ever went out of style), and Scandi girls are wearing theirs with the It shoe of the last few years—a mid-heeled mule. Move over Carrie Bradshaw, this statement dress + 90’s shoe combination is the head-turning outfit pairing we didn’t know we needed, but we’re just happy to back any outfit that doesn’t require killer stilettos.

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3. Bandeau Dress + Kitten Heel Sandals

Style Notes: Picture the scene. It’s 30 degrees outside and we’re in for a hot and sticky summer. With jeans and sleeves the furthest thing from your mind, a bandeau dress is an instant outfit designed for warm weather. Wondering how to dress up such a simple style? The answer lies in a strappy sandal that will take you from desk to dinner effortlessly.

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4. Tank Dress + Heels

Style Notes: If you reach for a jersey vest as soon as the sun comes out, you’ll appreciate the latest dress trend of 2024: the tank dress. It has all of the pros of its predecessor: versatile, comfy, timeless; but it has the added bonus of not having to be paired up with a bottom. Just add flats for day and swap with an elegant heel for evening and voila, this could be one of the hardest working dresses in your wardrobe.

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5. Slip Dress and Flip Flops

Style Notes: We don’t need to convince you the virtues of the slip dress (and it’s likely you’ve already got at least one in your wardrobe), but should you be wondering what shoes to wear with yours, flip flops might not seem like the obvious choice, but somehow they make sense. Perhaps it’s the 90’s nostalgia, maybe its high/low mix, either way, a pretty dress and a comfortable flat shoe are always a winning combo.