Best Summer Dresses
Don’t we all want to hit that “easy button” at least once in a while? One of the things I love most about dresses…especially in the summer, is the EASY, one-and-done aspect. Finding that special dress that looks great, feels great, and is cool and comfortable is like winning the wardrobe lottery. Bonus points if you find one that looks as amazing with sandals or sneakers as it does with wedges and heels because you’ll wear it non-stop. Then, that dress becomes your summer workhorse, an easy-breezy, grab-and-go piece! Each of the dresses I’m sharing today are versatile, summer staples. Keep scrolling for all of my summer favorites!
For even more summer style inspo, make sure you check out our Summer Capsule Wardorbe, Summer Vacation Lookbook, and Summer All Occasion Lookbook.
Blue Printed Aqua Dress
How gorgeous is this blue dress by Aqua?! I love the print, flowy fabric, and overall fit. It has a flattering v-neckline and a fit-and-flare silhouette. The fabric is lightweight and the length is perfect (I’m 5’4”). I styled it with a pair of heels but I’ll definitely wear it with sandals and sneakers this summer too!
Green Farm Rio One-Shoulder Dress
This green Farm Rio dress is so chic, breathable, and versatile. I’ve worn it with heels, sneakers, and sandals already and just love how easy it is to dress up or down! The one-shoulder neckline is really cool, the print and color are beautiful, and I love the length. You could wear this to dinner, lunch, running errands, or even to a casual beach wedding this summer!
White Eyelet Sundress Mini Dress
This cute mini dress doubles as a dress and coverup, making it the perfect beach vacation dress. It’s 100% cotton, so it’s super lightweight and breathable. I love the eyelet fabric, scalloped hem, one-shoulder neckline, and subtle puff sleeve. Style it with sneakers, heels, or sandals this summer.
Camila Coehlo Striped Knit Dress
This is one of the dresses I took with me to Vietnam, and I loved how sexy and elevated it made me feel. It’s a knit Camila Coelho dress with the coolest neutral striped print. It has sexy cutouts at the side, a halter neck, and it’s fitted. This is one of those standout dresses you can wear on date night or to a special event.
If you’re interested in what I packed for Vietnam and China, make sure you check out this post next!
Black One-Shoulder Me+Em Dress
When I first tried this dress, I knew it was going to be one of those dresses I’d wear over and over again this summer. You can wear this on a beach vacation by the pool, out to dinner, to any party, and even running errands with sneakers or flats…it’s that versatile! I love that the one-shoulder neckline adds a dash of sexy and modernity to the dress. It has a smocked bodice and a gauzy cotton skirt that’s breathable and lightweight. Oh, and I almost buried the lead, it has pockets!
Sweaty Betty Midi Dress
This Sweaty Betty dress was another one I took on my trip to Vietnam and it’s SO good. If you only buy one casual dress this summer, this should be it! It’s an activewear dress that’s perfect for travel, hot & humid climates, or any casual days this summer. The fabric is lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking and it’s VERY comfortable!
Green Printed Farm Rio Dress
When you find a brand you really love, that works for your body type, and that continues to make quality pieces, stick with it and purchase more from that brand. Farm Rio is one of those brands for me. I love their gorgeous prints and high-quality pieces. This Farm Rio dress is a stunner and would be perfect for a wedding or vacation. It has a gorgeous green print (a great color on so many skin tones), adjustable straps, and a flattering sweetheart neckline. I also love the bubble fabric straps…it’s just a cool, unique detail that sets it apart from other floral print dresses.
Farm Rio Blue Printed Mini Dress
This Farm Rio mini dress is 100% cotton so it’s super light and airy. It has long sleeves with smocked cuffs, a keyhole self-tie neck with beaded ends, and an adjustable drawstring waist. You can throw on this dress for just about any occasion this summer. Running around during the day, for vacation, as a coverup, out to dinner with heels or sandals…see what I mean?
(Listed below from left to right)
You may remember some of these dresses from a recent post I did featuring even MORE summer dresses here. Let’s dive in…
Aje Blue Printed Mini Dress
I love the cobalt blue color in this gorgeous Aje mini dress. It’s perfect for warm days and can be worn with sandals, sneakers, or wedges…it’s more versatile than you think!
Staud Wells Mini Dress
I have this Staud dress in the midi length in a different color and love it so much that I bought the mini version too! The fit is super flattering, I love the squared neckline (that you can wear a regular bra with), and the print is so pretty. It’s also very well-made and super high-quality.
Avara Tessa Dress
I recently tried some pieces from the brand Avara and loved the flattering silhouette of this dress! The print is so pretty and you can wear the sleeves on or off your shoulders. Oh…and it’s under $100. PLUS, you can use code BUSBEE15 for 15% off your purchase!
Farm Rio Tile Dream Maxi Dress
This is another gorgeous dress by Farm Rio! You can wear it off the shoulder or on, it’s super lightweight and breathable, it’s perfect for vacation, and it has an adjustable waist belt to get the perfect fit.
Vestique Blue Printed Midi Dress
This chic blue-printed midi has sexy cutouts and an open back. I also love the flattering neckline and double straps that make it feel unique and cool. You can style this with heels, wedges, sandals, or sneakers.
Pink Cinq a Sept Tweed Mini Dress
This pretty pink Cinq a Sept shift dress has white contrast trim, gold buttons, and is made from a mid-weight tweed so you won’t get too hot. It’s a super cute option for summer and it also comes in white.
L’Agence Lemon Print Tank Dress
This is more of a special piece, but it’s so gorgeous and worth sharing! We’re headed to Italy soon and going to a gorgeous restaurant in Positano where you dine beneath lemon trees. So naturally, I wanted to wear a lemon dress…and this one by L’Agence is just perfect. It’s the prettiest pink and the lemon print is definitely a statement maker! You could wear this on vacation, or to a wedding or special event this summer.
For Love & Lemons White Cutout Dress
This is the perfect, dressy little white dress for summer! The fit is super flattering, I love the open back, and the lace details are gorgeous.
Cult Gaia Zamariah Dress
If you’re looking for a serious statement making piece, consider this chic white Cult Gaia mini dress. I always say I like drama with my clothes, not my life…and this dress really brings on the drama! I LOVE the oversized, on-trend sculptural sleeves and plated satin fabric.
L’IDEE Opera Gown
If you’re headed to a dressier event, this halter neck gown by L’IDEE is incredibly chic. This brand has lots of really beautiful pieces you can check out here if you like the look of this dress but don’t love wearing white.
Bronx & Banco Lace Midi Dress
How gorgeous is this dress?! I love the mesh fabric and floral appliques, fun tulle on the skirt, the length is perfect, and it has modest coverage on the neck.
Bronx & Banco Two-Piece Set
This one is similar to the last dress but it’s actually a 2-piece set! It’s by Bronx and Banco and I just love how feminine it is with the beautiful floral details.
Rhode Lulani Dress
This is an older dress but the style is still available in multiple prints that are SO gorgeous. I linked a few of those below. I love this slight puff-shoulder and flounce hem which creates that coveted hourglass shape! I’m wearing it with wedges but sandals or slides would look amazing as well. This dress runs a bit small so I recommend sizing up at least one size.
Amanda Uprichard Saffron Midi Dress
Here’s a pretty and versatile white summer dress. You might remember this Amanda Uprichard dress from a few summers ago. It was a best seller! It drapes so beautifully and has simple but elevated details at the neck and sleeve that give it that little extra something. It’s also midi length…perfect for warmer weather when you want to stay cool but don’t want to show your legs. It’s still available in a few sizes and runs TTS.
Amanda Uprichard Daksha Dress
Remember what I said about finding a brand you love and sticking with it?? This dress is a shorter version of the Amanda Uprichard dress in the last look. I’m personally a big fan of BOTH the LBD and the LWD! Some people don’t like to wear black during the summer. But this dress really is perfect for summer! It’s lightweight, the perfect length, and the long sleeves are great if you don’t like showing your arms. It has a v-neckline, ruffled collar, and tiered hem which are feminine details that offset the black.
For Love & Lemons Maxi
OK, so this maxi dress may not be the one you throw on to run to the grocery store, but…it would be perfect for a beach vacation as either a day/dinner dress or a coverup. It is completely sheer but has a built-in nude bodysuit underneath. If you want more coverage you would just add a slip. The sexy plunging neckline is offset by the longer hem and sleeve length and the crochet fabric is stunning. This is a head-turning dress for SURE.
Which one of these summer dresses is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!
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You look great in everything Erin! But if I had to pick some faves, it’d be the first green Farm Rio dress, the blue/white Avara dress, and the sheer Love & Lemons maxi. If Farm Rio made larger sizes (their XL is smaller than the typical XL in the U.S.), I’d own several for sure. And I’d purchase from Avara (which does carry some larger sizes), but their return policies are so draconian that I will not try them. Love your content; keep it coming and be well.
That green Farm Rio dress is one of our favorites too, Renee! So happy to hear you are enjoying our content. Have a fabulous week. ~Team Busbee
I love that you wore the Patbo dress on a camel…lol, good for you!! It’s a gorgeous dress on you! Thanks for all the inspo, checking out the FP dress now. Have a great weekend!