There are a lot of reasons to love summer: music festivals, summer blockbusters, easy ice cream truck access, the pervading smell of freshly applied sunblock, etc.
Personally speaking, my favorite thing about the season is the chance to bust out the quintessential sunny-skies uniform: the summer dress. It’s a breezy, effortlessly flattering garment that keeps you feeling cool and looking fabulous in the fiercest heat. You can wear the versatile summer dress for a night on the town, but you can throw it on for a quick trip to the corner store. The summer dress needs no accessories beyond your favorite strappy sandals, but pairs perfectly with your floppy sun hat, turquoise jewelry or flower crown just the same. It’s the kind of outfit that gets you showered with compliments every time you head out.
When picking out a summer dress, the only real requirement is that it’s super comfortable and unapologetically you. That said, experts recommend sticking to breathable fabrics, loose fits and light colors. For maximal airflow, opt for sleeveless, off-shoulder or puffy-sleeve looks.
To inspire your summery shopping journey, me and my fellow RetailMeNot editors have shared the dresses we have on repeat this season:
Short Summer Dresses
Abercrombie & Fitch Ruffle Tiered Mini Dress
After purchasing this pretty white mini dress a few weeks ago, I’ve leaped at every opportunity to wear it. On the first night, I paired it with this pair of admittedly bridal-looking white wedge sandals, and a dude stopped me to ask if I was getting married. When I told him “No,” he asked for my phone number. Basically, what I’m saying is, “Still got it!,” and so does this dress.
Price: $80 at Abercrombie.com
Amazon Hollow Out Twist Bodycon Dress
It’s no secret that cutout dresses are hot this summer. I love the flattering, high-tummy cut of this one and the fact that it stresses your curves (speaking as a relatively flat-chested, small-bootied person, I need all the help I can get!). This dress breaks one of the cardinal summer dress rules: namely, that a hot-weather outfit ought to be loose. But as the fabric is ultralight and stretchy, I can attest that this keeps me cool.
Price: $29.99 at Amazon.com
Free People Wanderlust Mini Dress
It’s hard not to visit Free People without accidentally buying three new dresses you didn’t know you needed — so proceed with caution. The Wanderlust Mini is a perfect example of one of their irresistibly adorable short summer dresses. With its flouncy, flirty, lettuce-edge hem and cutout sides, the dress begs to be worn to the beach. Or the pool. Or the county fair. Or the vet. Or the DMV. You get the picture.
Price: $68 at FreePeople.com
Long Summer Dresses
UO Daisy Street Milkmaid Midi Dress
The aptly made Daisy Street Milkmaid Midi Dress doesn’t look like it would be out of place on the set of “Oklahoma!” — and I mean that in the best way possible. Playful, romantic and flirty, the baby doll-style dress has puffy sleeves and bright colors.
Price: $49 at UrbanOutfitters.com
Mumu Tropez Maxi
Flowy silhouette? Check. Lightweight, breathable fabric? Check. Bright, summery color? Check. This goddess-like dress checks all the boxes, and it works as both a bathing suit cover-up and a stand-alone dress that wouldn’t look out of place at a garden party or on a fancy yacht. (Full disclosure: I’ve never been on a fancy yacht, so I’m speculating here.)
Price: $168 at ShowMeYourMumu.com
Floral Summer Dresses
Lulus Easy on the Eyes Off the Shoulder Maxi Dress
Lulus is a treasure trove of flowy summer dresses — Exhibit A: this ridiculously pretty off-the-shoulder summer dress. Details like the button-up bodice, side cutouts and side slits add just a touch of sexy to this long summer dress.
Price: $59 at Lulus.com
Saks Fifth Avenue Stellah Puff Sleeve Mini Dress
The designer calls this style of floral print “Victorian.” Perhaps because the print looks a Victorian-era woman on summer holiday could wear it — if the skirt were about two feet longer, that is. This floral summer dress is the perfect length for you, a modern-era woman on a summer holiday, especially if you pair it with thigh-high cowboy boots.
Price: $92.86 at SaksFifthAvenue.com
Zara Floral Jacquard Dress
This vivid floral dress is made of jacquard fabric, which basically means any type of pattern woven right into the material, as opposed to embroidered, printed or stamped. This dress, in particular, has a viscose blend, which is lightweight and smooth-feeling. Pair with flip-flops and bright red lipstick for an ensemble that is both cooling and eye-catching.
Price: $69.90 at Zara.com
Boho Summer Dresses
Revolve Avery Dress
The Avery Dress represents everything that’s perfect about white boho summer dresses: it’s elegant and flattering without even trying. Unfortunately, it also represents one major failing of many white dresses — that is, it’s dry clean only.
Price: $147 at Revolve.com
Lulus Dreams of the Desert Crochet Halter Maxi Dress
“Boho” is a tricky term to define. But something about the Dreams of the Desert Maxi Dress is unmistakably bohemian. Is it the crochet top and sash? Is it the flowy maxi skirt? Is it the warm, sunset-reminiscent rust orange color? Even if it’s hard to explain exactly why this dress oozes bohemian charm, it’s easy to love.
Price: $65 at Lulus.com
12th Tribe Laguna Beach Pink & Teal Kimono Dress
A perfect summer beach dress, this pink and teal kimono has a removable drawstring and wrap closure so you can easily slip it off before plunging into the pool.
Price: $76 at 12thTribe.com
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