I Found Summer's Biggest Dress Trends on Amazon, Including My Go-To Breezy Styles

Irene Richardson
·8 min read

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Minis, midis, and maxis start at $20.

<p>Levi

Levi's / ASTR

We can host a lengthy fireside chat about how to define a sundress. If you want my two cents, it’s any dress I can wear in the stifling, dead summer heat and still feel like whirling around in a Coney Island teacup. I prefer a skin-baring, strappy EmRata look that turns me into streetwear royalty. But a Meghan Markle-style maxi dress is never out of the question, particularly for workwear. Whichever side of the aisle you fall on, the quintessential summer dress should flatter your form, not cling to your body, and be so stylish that you want to outfit repeat it until sweater weather arrives. Another way to avoid a skin-sticking fit is to shop the styles in breathable cotton and linen fabrics.

And, fine, I’ll admit I always feel smug when my coworkers pepper my outfit with compliments, even when I secretly know I simply slipped on a dress that morning without a second thought. The easy one-and-done outfit is a quick fix when I reenact the Fred Segal scene from Clueless, stranded in a pile of my clothes, looking for that perfect piece to complete a look.

Best Editor-Approved Summer Dresses on Amazon Overall

While pants have their time and place, for now, I’m ditching denim in favor of summer dresses. From minis to maxis and every length in between, ahead are several summer dress styles, including options on sale for Amazon Prime Day, which I’m wearing until it’s time to turn back the clocks (ahem, cover up).

Best Mini Dresses

No matter where you stand on the sundress debate, a mini style is a warm-weather staple that makes you feel up for doing just about anything. Even if you’re not into shorter styles, opting for design choices such as a full hem and capped sleeves can turn the dress into a more modest option for everyday wear.

Levi's Marcella Trapeze Dress

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

I envision floating through flowery fields and baking homemade strawberry pies in the Levi's Trapeze Dress. Its floral print, feminine lace-up top, and sweet babydoll silhouette lean into the kind of cottagecore romanticism my life needs during the dog days of summer. In reality, I’ll probably grab my tote bag and wear it endlessly to brunch, the farmers market, and any activity where I’ll be sweating, but still need to appear presentable. I’m confident the 100 percent cotton construction and roomier fit will allow me to remain cool.

The Drop Perla Shaped Waist Mini Dress

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

If a flower petal were a clothing item, it would be the Perla Mini Dress. In addition to the light rose color, the full hem opens up like a spring bloom, while its corset-style bodice adds another feminine element. Since it’s strapless, I plan on layering a light sweater over it to increase my costs per wear.

Best Midi Dresses

My favorite part about a midi dress is how it looks good with any kind of footwear. (Wedges, tennis shoes, and booties are all viable options here!) Plus, the calf-length style is flattering and looks good on practically anyone.

Astr the Label Suzy Dress

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

You can still incorporate whimsy and color into your everyday wardrobe without becoming a Jackson Pollock piece. This maxi dress uses a funky geometric pattern in neutral orange and pink tones to spice up your work wardrobe or give you a vacation clothing item you’ll actually wear more than once. Plus, the tie-back and smoked top are beyond cute, they’re also practical design details. The stretchier top construction fits various bust sizes, and you can adjust the back and shoulder straps for the most comfortable fit.

Gap Short-Sleeve Square-Neck Midi Dress

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

The smocked top, square neck, and drop-tiered hem make this throw-on Gap option a strong contender for my go-to nap dress. Like that celebrity-worn style, the dress has an easy elegance, with just the right amount of flare, notably the fluttery butterfly sleeves, to make it memorable. It’s a blank canvas for every summer accessory I’ve acquired including oversized fish necklaces and broad-brimmed sun hats. Actually, I’m already picturing how I will transition the cherry red color into my fall wardrobe with knee-high boots.

Best Maxi Dresses

Maxi dresses are a real workhorse of any closet. They’re there for you during the day while you work and again at night. The length alone makes them very classy choices for whatever is on your agenda, and the right print can make the look a real knockout.

Lilly Pulitzer Kailua Smocked Maxi Dress

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

It doesn’t take much to style the Lilly Pulitzer Dress. In addition to the attention-grabbing print, its tie straps add more visual interest. And, since it's on the longer side, I love how you can adjust the straps according to your height and avoid dragging the pretty hem on the floor.

Prettygarden Sleeveless Flowy Dress

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

A lot is happening here, and it’s all good. An asymmetrical neck shows off collar bones while the three-tiered skirt makes the dress appear fuller and elongates your frame. Personally, I’m all-in on a wilder print for summer, but the brand also offers the dress in neutral tones and patterns that’ll fit right into your office attire.

Best T-Shirt Dresses

By far the easiest way to get away with wearing pajamas in public is slipping into a T-shirt dress. Elevate it with a platform sandal and a few layered necklaces and no one is any wiser that you’re essentially wearing a comfortable nightgown to work.

The Drop Cora T-Shirt Midi Dress

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

Although its name makes a T-shirt dress sound inherently casual, longer options like the Cora Midi Dress elevate their look. Its split hem is another thoughtful design detail to show off your footwear (because why would we hide our strappy sandals?). Additionally, the silhouette fits a little closer to the body to make the dress appear more polished.

Molerani Casual T-Shirt Dress

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

Since T-shirt dresses are essentially a blank canvas for accessorizing, I can foresee wearing one every day of the week. Between its affordable price and dozens of color options, the Molerani dress might make that statement less of a hyperbole. Go ahead, try a few on for size.

Best Strapless Dresses

By its very nature, a strapless dress should be summer-approved, right? However, the no-sleeve style is typically more elegant than other options, which is very convenient for those of us with a fridge full of summer wedding invitations.

The Drop Standard Vienna Strapless Babydoll Mini Dress

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

If you’ve made it this long without an LBD (first of all, how?), then the Vienna Babydoll Mini should be your foray into the celebrity-worn style. Its mid-thigh length is appropriate to wear to formal occasions and casually, and the slightly looser fit won’t cling uncomfortably to your body while you move. If you want to spice things up, the dress is also available in a fiery red.

Baigram Strapless Bubble Skirt Short Dress

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

The bubble hem is the newest Y2K trend to (re)enter the fashion zeitgeist and may be my favorite comeback yet. Follow Kendall Jenner, Selena Gomez, and other celebs back down the nostalgic rabbit hole with this modernized version of the late 2000s style. The solid-colored options are easy to wear, but I’d opt for the two-toned version to punch up a neutral wardrobe.

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