9 dress styles for summer
My dream summertime wardrobe
is one overflowing with easy, breezy summer dresses, a plethora of straw hats and all the Levi’s cut-offs and white tees I can get my hands on. Because in the warmer months, I don’t care about labels or designers or fancy things, I care about comfort and ease, I care about things I can throw on for happy hour drinks outside and early morning walks on the beach and, mostly, I care about staying nice and cool.
Below, I’ve rounded up my favorite 9 dress styles for summer. The dress that I’m featuring in the photos of this post, with its maxi style, flirty print and fun hemline, just so happens to check off three of the styles in one. Keep on scrolling to read more about why I love each of these styles, find out what my other favorites are and shop some of my hand-picked selections for each category.
WEARING
HAT // NORDSTROM RACK
EARINGS // H&M
DRESS // WHO WHAT WEAR
SHOES // NINE WEST
LOCATION // CATALINA ISLAND
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE STYLE OF DRESS FOR SUMMER?
1
LIGHT + LINEN
If I could live in one dress and one dress only for summertime, it would definitely be made of linen. The fabric is just begging to be worn on a warm, breezy day, or a mid-summer Mediterranean escape, or an afternoon picnic with friends. Plus, I love that linen in such a natural and breathable fabric.
2
FLOWY + WHITE
In warmer months, flowy white dresses are the perfect swap for the classic LBD. They’re perfect for garden parties, baby showers, bridal showers (if you’re the bride), afternoon picnics, winery visits, boating…in other words, you can’t go wrong with them.
3
FLIRTY PRINTS
I’m not usually a prints type of gal, but I make an exception when it comes to summer dresses. Prints allow you to feel accessorized and put together, without having to worry about a lot of actual accessories (because who wants to do that when it’s hot outside?!). Print dresses are also super versatile and can easily take you from day to night on any given summer occasion.
4
WRAPPED UP
Wrap dresses are one of the most flattering silhouettes, especially for us gals who are well-endowed up top. I especially love them for more dressy summer occasions, but they also work just as well for casual settings, too.
5
TO THE MAX(I)
Who doesn’t love a good maxi dress, right??! They look amazing on all shapes and sizes, in any color or print, and they work for literally.every.ocassion. If you buy only one dress this summer, it should probably be a maxi dress, just sayin’.
6
T-SHIRT TIME
When it comes to comfort, t-shirt dresses take the cake. Because I work from home a lot of days, they’re definitely one of my go-to summertime dresses for looking chic and put together, but also staying comfortable and cool.
7
SOMETHING TO SLIP ON
I love a good slip dress moment no matter the season, but they’re especially ideal for warmer weather weddings, summertime getaways and evening events.
8
FUN HEMLINES
If you want to switch up your dress styles, try something with a bit of a different hemline. Whether it’s ruffles, an asymmetrical cut, lace edging or something else, it’s a subtle, yet easy, way to change up your typical look.
9
SMOCKED FROCKS
I adore dresses with smocked tops as, like wrap dresses, I think they’re incredibly flattering. The one maxi dress I have with a frocked top is one I regularly wear on repeat, to a variety of summertime occasions, and I have yet to get sick of it and not get complimented on it. It’s just one of those pieces you have where you know you’ll feel good in it, no matter what, and you can always count on it, even the times when you have “nothing to wear”.
