Sharyn GreensteinOne must-have wardrobe basic is a simply-styled dress that can take you from daytime to nighttime (or from sitting on the couch binging Netflix to meeting friends for al fresco cocktails.) By simply swapping out your shoes and adding accessories, you can completely transform your look. Many of us have a little black dress in our closet, but there are lots of other options, especially during the warm summer months.
Look for styles that flatter your body type and help you feel confident. Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and tencel not only are breathable and comfortable, but they hold up far longer than synthetics. Have an hourglass figure? Look for dresses that accentuate the waist. A bit thick through the middle? Shift dresses or dresses with a flounce bottom will be great choices. Love showing some leg? Look for a mini dress. Lucky enough to be tall? On-trend midi or maxi dresses are fabulous choices. To elevate the look of the dress, swap out your birkenstocks or sneakers for a wedge sandal, layer a couple of necklaces, and add your favorite clutch or crossbody and you are ready to hit the town – or right now maybe just a friend’s backyard!
This Lou & Grey dress is made with their Signaturesoft jersey fabric which is incredibly soft and comfy. The side knot will help camouflage any belly issues. The shorter length is great for petite gals!
Jersey Twist Mini Dress $69.50
Denim dresses are closet staples (I own several) and shirt dresses are comfortable and effortless. This chambray tencel dress in faded denim by Mavi Jeans is lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and oh-so versatile.
Another great Lou & Grey option is this midi pocket dress in cocoa. Lighten it up with white or straw accessories now, and then add a black moto jacket and boots come fall.
Nothing feels more like summer than wearing an airy sundress. This Rails linen-blend dress comes in several colors, and the small blue daisies print on this one is sophisticated and fun. Great if you are comfortable showing some leg!
Madewell’s linen-blend tie waist midi dress comes in 3 colors. Everyone should have an easy-breezy white dress for summer, and this is a great option at 30 percent off right now! It also comes in petites but sizes are limited.
A simple tee shirt dress is like a blank canvas. Tie a sweatshirt around your waist with trainers and you are ready to run errands. Add a statement necklace and some tie wedge sandals to elevate your look. This beautiful shade of blue looks good on most skin tones.
This stretch v-neck shift dress from Eileen Fisher is in a classic, timeless silhouette. It also comes in black. Right now it is 50% off the sale price, which is a bargain for this high end brand known for quality and comfort.
Tiered dresses are very on-trend, and if you are looking for some arm coverage, this cotton dress would be ideal. The fringe on the sleeves adds a bohemian element, and the v-neck is figure flattering. A great transition dress for fall too.
A loose fitting maxi dress is a summer essential and this one comes in 3 colors. A lacy bralette would look great if you don’t love strapless bras. For day, pair it with slides and a ponytail. For evening, add some large hoop earrings, some bangle bracelets and a shawl to complete the look.