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Summer’s heating up! The Fourth of July has come and gone, New York City has experienced not one but two (!) heat waves, and so the time to shop for easy sweet summer dresses is now. After months of casual stay-at-home attire (shout out to our most loyal sweatpants and pajamas), the need for easy, stylish, single-item outfits is more essential than ever.
We’re most excited by dresses that show a little skin, like a puff sleeve mini or an open-back halter knit. Both will have you more than ready for all your fun reemergence summer plans—travel, celebrations, and nights out. And there are a handful of other exciting dress trends to look forward to wearing this season: colorful crocheted knits, printed frocks in standout brights, and eclectic prints should you want to make a statement. You also need to ready yourself for beach days and wedding season. For those, consider a nightgown-inspired day dress, a floaty floral frock, an essential all-white dress, or a good old fashion sundress. Picking up a few of the best summer dresses to live in all season long. The greatest part? They all clock in at $300 or less.
Photographed by Gabriella Schmidt, Vogue, March 2021
Dainty Day Dresses
A simple sundress is one of the most versatile pieces of the season. You can just as easily wear one as a beach cover-upas you could to a wedding (so long as you have the right accessories). If you pick a good one, the very same dress can be worn on weekend neighborhood strolls, park picnics, or even going out for a cocktail or spritz. Airy and light, a dainty day dress will be the hero piece in your summer wardrobe.
H&M sleeveless dress
$25
H&M
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Kate Spade New York mini gingham smocked dress
$298
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
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Missing You Already tiered midi-dress
$245
FARFETCH
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Dôen Eclipse embroidered midi-dress
$260
NET-A-PORTER
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J.Crew smocked-waist pleated dress
$148
J.CREW
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Faithfull the Brand Flora shirred gingham dress
$229
NET-A-PORTER
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Photographed by Nadine Ijewere, Vogue, December 2020
Hello, Legs
After a year of seeing our family, friends, and colleagues, exclusively from the waist up, it’s about time we gave our legs a chance to be seen, and the best way to do just that this summer is with a heightened hemline. You can and should take these mini but mighty options for a spin this season—after all, micro mini silhouettes were one of the standout trends from the spring collections. Take your pick between tiered baby dolls, smocked puff sleeve fit and flares, and backless halternecks.
Hill House Home Athena nap dress in mermaid
$100
HILL HOUSE HOME
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Solid & Striped the Parker striped cotton minidress
$238
MATCHESFASHION.COM
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Rixo Glorai crochet-trimmed minidress
$255
NET-A-PORTER
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LoveShackFancy Natasha dress
$295
LOVESHACKFANCY
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Reformation Desiree ruffled linen minidress
$220
NET-A-PORTER
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Sleeper Brigitte minidress
$260
SHOPBOP
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Photographed by Angelo Pennetta, Vogue, March 2019
Everyday Exuberance
Another spring runway trend this season is fantastical fashion, which brings bright colors and eccentric prints to everyday clothing. It’s only fitting we have fun frocks for a summer that will hopefully celebrate possibilities of a post-pandemic life. No matter the silhouette, striking over-the-top prints, and bold saturated colors feel just right for right now.
Farm Rio midi-dress
$195
FARM RIO
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Ganni shiny jacquard A-line dress
$265
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
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Staud color-block minidress
$265
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
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Chufy x Mango printed maxidress
$100
MANGO
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La Ligne floral long-sleeve shift minidress
$275
NORDSTROM
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Juliet Dunn mirror work rainbow minidress
$195
MATCHESFASHION.COM
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Photographed by Angelo Pennetta, Vogue, June 2019
Summer Whites
A simple white dress might not seem like much, but the perfect one can be a cure-all for summer style problems. Not only are they appropriate for just about every summer occasion, these romantic ruched, tiered, ruffle sleeve versions have been dubbed as summer’s unofficial uniform. From mini to midi dresses, these white day dresses allow for endless accessorizing options. Just swap your footwear, and top it off with a summer bag of your choosing, and your white dress will feel like new every time.
Rebecca Taylor Broomstick pleated dress
$285
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
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Everlane linen open-back dress
$88
EVERLANE
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SIR Alina ruched linen minidress
$220
BERGDORF GOODMAN
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& Other Stories embroidered sleeveless midi-dress
$149
& OTHER STORIES
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Ciao Lucia Gabriela smocked cotton A-line midi-dress
$295
BERGDORF GOODMAN
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Hill House Home Lucy nap dress
$175
HILL HOUSE HOME
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Photographed by Angelo Pennetta, Vogue, April 2020
Crafty and Crocheted
With the past year spent mostly virtually, clothing with tactility and visible craftsmanship has been more delightful than ever. Dresses you can touch and feel—whether it’s a colorful crocheted knit, or a sundress with 3D floral appliques, or a split fabric tank dress with a bit of fringe–these textured dresses are totally swoon-worthy for summer 2021.
Zara crochet floral dress
$70
ZARA
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Anna Kosturova Marsala striped crochet maxidress
$286
MYTHERESA
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Farm Rio maxidress
$275
FARM RIO
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Gimaguas Soller dress
$143
LISA SAYS GAH
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Akoia Swim Kerbau dress
$230
MODA OPERANDI
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Mango contrast-bodice jersey dress
$60
MANGO
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Photographed by Bibi Cornejo Borthwick, Vogue, August 2018
Work From Home (and Back to the Office Again)
How to feel polished for important Zoom meetings or stay cool on the commute to the office? A collared, crisp shirt dress or a clean-cut short sleeve t-shirt dress will be sure to get the job done. Plus, these styles don’t look overly professional if you feel like taking one for a mid-afternoon stroll, work break, or as a casual dress option for the weekends too. These are staple pieces that will make getting dressed for the office again so easy, they will make you feel as though you never left!
& Other Stories voluminous midi wrap dress
$149
& OTHER STORIES
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Cos T-shirt dress
$69
COS
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Max Mara Leisure Enfasi cotton jersey polo dress
$210
NORDSTROM
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Gesutz Lena smocked midi-dress
$200
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
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Michael Michael Kors pintucked floral-print cotton-poplin minidress
$165
NET-A-PORTER
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Twinset poplin cotton midi-dress
$259
FARFETCH
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Photographed by Durimel, Vogue, September 2020
Cut It Out
Since reemergence began, we have started to see cutouts in almost every silhouette—from bikinis to bodysuits, tops, and, of course, dresses. For a subtly sexy summer dress, consider one with a waist cut out or a low back. Thanks to their midi lengths, these dresses won’t ever feel overly revealing or too much like a club-ready number. In simple solid colors, you’ll have no problem dressing these up with heels and a clutch for hot summer nights or with flat sandals and a sun hat for warm summer days.
Zara satin-effect cut-out dress
$50
ZARA
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Alice + Olivia Havana cut-out dress
$296
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
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Farm Rio yellow open-waist midi-dress
$200
FARM RIO
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Staud Judy cut-out linen midi-dress
$295
MATCHESFASHION.COM
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Paloma Wool Say dress
$144
SSENSE
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Andrea Iyamah Reni midi-dress
$225
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
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