We’re sure you’ve heard it…“Women over (insert age here) should not wear shorts”. We disagree. If you feel good in shorts, wear them. Erin always says to wear what makes YOU feel good! But we also get that some of you want to stay cool and comfy in the summer, and shorts just don’t do it for you. And that’s okay too! Maybe you prefer a bit more coverage, find shorts uncomfortable, or simply want to switch up your summer style? There are plenty of chic and casual outfit options when shorts are not your go-to. In today’s post, we’re sharing 5 casual summer outfits that will keep you looking fashionably cool in the heat…no shorts required. These breezy outfits will be your new favorites.
Denim skirts are a great alternative to shorts! In case you missed it, we shared a few favorites here.
Summer Outfits Without Shorts
Breezy Dresses
Dresses are SO good for summer. And a great alternative to shorts. Dresses made of light fabrics that have relaxed silhouettes are best when you want to look stylish but also want to stay cool. We want to show you 3 that are casual enough for every day, can be worn with sneakers or sandals, but could also be dressed up!
Sweaty Betty Midi Dress
First up is this racerback dress from Sweaty Betty. It’s the most casual option in this roundup and it’s a Team Busbee favorite. The fabric is so lightweight and airy and has the most beautiful movement to it. It’s like you aren’t wearing anything! Since it’s activewear, it’s moisture-wicking so this would be perfect for travel, in the humidity, a baseball game, being outdoors, or just something to throw on at home that won’t stick or cling to your body. Erin wore it with a sports bra underneath and you could also wear a racerback bra (we’ll link one below). Pair it with sneakers or sandals and get ready to be the coolest person in the room…both literally and figuratively!
Farm Rio One Shoulder Dress
This next dress is one Erin brought with her to Italy…and it’s another team favorite. The fabric is this beautiful light cotton that feels cool and wonderful on the skin. Farm Rio is known for their prints, but their fabrics are just next level. The one-shoulder neckline is such a stylish and effortless detail as are the beads at the end of the drawstring waist ties. The fit of the dress is lovely. It skims the body and floats away from it. Not tight. Not constricting. Not hot. This is one of those dresses you can easily wear with sneakers during the day and then swap those out for wedges or sandals when you want to dress it up.
Find more of the pieces Erin took to Italy in this post.
Gorgeous Blue Print Dress
Here’s one more dress you can wear this summer to stay cool and casual in the heat without going near a pair of shorts. This dress is by Avara and how beautiful is the blue print? Erin tested out this new-to-her brand and was super happy with the quality…happy enough to bring it along to Italy (it made the cut!). This dress is also lightweight, 100% cotton, and the flutter sleeves can be worn on or off the shoulder. And you can’t beat the $98 price tag! Erin styled the dress with some Valentino accessories during her trip for a high/low look. But you can wear a cute pair of white sneakers, sandals, or wedges with this dress…it’s very versatile!
Vest & Pant Set
Erin’s words… “There is NO other set that’s as good as this one!” She’s ordered and tried over a dozen similar lightweight trousers for summer, and these are SO incredibly flattering and comfy. Same with the vest…the best of the best. In fact, she loved this set so much that she now has it in white, black, and cream. It’s just THAT good. The white or cream set would be great options for a casual day of exploring on vacation or for a fun brunch with the girls. Sneakers are key to bringing out the more casual vibe of this look. The great thing about a set like this is that you can wear the pieces separately to get even more wear out of them.
The vest would look on-trend styled with a denim skirt or linen pants. The trousers would look so chic styled with a plain white or black t-shirt or tank…and they come in short, regular, and petite lengths too. They are lightweight, but not see-through. A perfect alternative for shorts. We have to admit, the hat really adds to the cool vibe of this outfit. It has 40 SPF built in and it’s currently on sale.
Midi Skirt and Tank
Erin has been looking for that perfect silk skirt for over a year now and…she finally found it! The fit of a silk skirt can be tricky. If the fabric is too light, all the lumps and bumps show. If it’s too heavy, it’s hot on the skin. Which is not so great for summer! This skirt from Quince is bias cut, super comfy, and has a hidden elastic waist. The fabric is a dream. It’s washable silk for one, but it’s also naturally thermoregulating to help maintain body temperature. Erin is wearing the color called Champagne and the monochromatic look is SO chic, but it comes in 12 other shades. Yes, 12. Add a tank or tee and you’re ready for a day of full heat. No shorts? No sweat!
This is one of those skirts you can wear now styled for summer but come winter (we know…nobody wants to think about that right now) you can also wear it with tall boots and a sweater. An all-season skirt for under $60? It’s a no-brainer.
Do you have an outfit in your summer wardrobe arsenal that you wear INSTEAD of shorts? Please share!
It might be no surprise that….the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is coming our way soon. If you want to follow along with what Erin is buying, ordering, and skipping, make sure you subscribe here. We’ll be on top of the best of the best, so you don’t have to spend hours shopping the sale (unless that’s your thing!)
I wear shorts, but don’t love them, so this post is so helpful. I have the Farm Rio dress and the Sweaty Betty black dress. They are both fantastic in the heat and I get so many compliments on both.
SO glad this post was helpful for you, Doreen! Both of those pieces are perfect for summer! ~Team Busbee