What makes a summer dress essential, in our humble opinion? First and foremost, it needs to have the range, baby. In other words, it should transition from day to night or the office to happy hour and beyond with just a few styling switches. And for summer, it also should keep you cool. Synthetic fabrics that leave you sweaty, or worse, swampy, can see themselves out until the temperatures drop. Last, but not least, must-have summer dresses should look just as stylish on their own as they do fully accessorized. They don’t always have to be effortless to put on, but they should look effortless while you’re out and about, as these 12 chic and essential summer dresses prove.
A maxi dress with spaghetti straps goes the extra mile in an unexpected fabric like denim. Look for denim that’s mostly cotton so you won’t have to worry about overheating, and add denim accessories for a street-style edge or a cardigan for a more formal feel.
No matter where this summer takes you, trust us when we say you’ll want to bring a nap dress along. Comfortable and versatile, it’s stylish enough to pass vacay muster, but works just as well for a comfy day at home.
For a dress that works as well in the office as it does at brunch, look no further than the floral midi dress. Whether you prefer to dress it up with vibrant pumps or down with sneakers, a floral midi goes the distance.
As in life, romance is up for interpretation when it comes to this style of summer dress. Romance could mean ruffles, a darling print, or a gauzy chiffon fabric.
A mini dress is a must-have for nighttime events in the summer. Offset a sky-high hemline with romantic details like crystal embellishments or ruffled embroidery.
If you love to be active, but are bored with bike shorts and separates, you’ll definitely want to add a sporty dress to your summer ‘fit rotation. We love an over-the-knee hemline in a casual cut that looks great with your fave sneakers.