All my clients are asking for short summer dresses to wear on the daily. An everyday summer dress is a must for anyone spending time in hot weather, especially if that heat includes humidity — eek! But before jumping into these hot weather frocks, let me clarify the title of this post. Each dress is not for everyone, what I mean by summer dresses for everyone is that no matter your body type, age, or coloring, you will find at least ONE everyday short summer dress for you on this list.
My Short Summer Dress Standards
In order to make my everyday short summer dress list, each dress has met these standards. It’s:
- Flattering for multiple body types
- Comfortable and/or has stretch
- Sleeveless or has short sleeves
- Made of sweat-friendly fabric (no silk or chiffon, etc)
- Versatile — most of these dresses can go from errands to lunch with a friend.
If it’s hot and you’re busy, you need that everyday summer dress to be a true throw-on and go! I don’t want you worrying about sweat, discomfort, or whether you’re presentable if you run into someone you’d like to get a compliment from.
Outerwear To Wear With Your Everyday Short Summer Dress
It’s probably too hot for a jacket, but that darn air conditioning just pumps away indoors like they think we’re polar bears in the wrong city. For this reason, I always carry outerwear on a hot day. Here are my favorite options for outerwear with a short summer dress:
- Scarf or Shawl: You can shove it in your purse as soon as you exit the icy hell of a building. You can also just hang it around your neck when needed, for an added pop of color to the plainer summer dresses on this list. For tips on how to tie and wear summer shawls, see this post.
- Denim Jacket: A classic choice. I prefer an oversized one for a chicer look.
- Short Jacket: Think bomber jacket or windbreaker
- Cinched-In Athletic Jacket: This creates shape and can be folded up and put in your handbag easily.
Shoes To Wear With Your Everyday Short Summer Dresses
Wear sandals or low sneakers with your short summer dresses. This is an everyday look, so I chose dresses that go with your everyday summer footwear. Here is a list of my favorite sandals and sneakers…
Best Short Summer Dresses
Below are all the best short summer dresses I have seen this season! I’ll continue to update this list as I come across more fabulous options…
LoveShackFancy Cotton Athalia Smocked Dress
Of all the dresses on this list, this smocked dress might be the summertime favorite. It is deeply flattering on everyone, you can wear a bra — or not! — and the color complements all skin tones. It’s available at Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, and LoveShackFancy.
Sizing: Available in sizes P-XXL. True to size.
Fabric: Cotton
ba&sh Maxine Ribbed Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-L
Fabric: 92% cotton/6% polyamide/2% polyester film
Frame Denim Bustier Zip Dress
This short denim summer dress by Frame fits absolutely incredibly on everyone! It’s available at Revolve, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus.
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-XL. True to Size.
Fabric: 85% cotton, (15% re-used cotton).
Bobi Draped Modal Jersey Mini Dress
This short summer dress is for standard to long-waisted women who like their thighs.
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-L. Runs a little large. Order your true size as well as a size down.
Fabric: 54% cotton, 44% modal, 2% spandex.
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Move It Dress
This dress is a bit boring in its design, but it feels like heaven.
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-XL.
Fabric: Spacedye is buttery soft performance fabric with a unique texture and exceptionally soft hand.
Zella Gwen Ponte Knit Tank Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-XXL. Order your true size as well as a size down.
Fabric: 45% Tencel® modal, 27% cotton, 18% polyester, 10% spandex.
Anemos the D K Wrap Mini Dress
This dress has no stretch and no zipper so it’s not for someone who has thicker shoulders or shoulder issues since you need to climb into it with a bit of maneuvering. It also requires nude underwear. If that hasn’t chased you away, it’s so fabulous for a hot summer day!
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-XXL. Looks best on women between 5’4″ and 5′ 8″.
Fabric: Viscose blend lightweight linen fabric.
Gap 100% Organic Cotton Shirtdress
Sizing: Available in sizes XXS-XXL. This dress runs large, so order a size down.
Fabric: 100% Organic Cotton.
LL Bean Women’s Everyday SunSmart Knit Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-XL.
Fabric: Soft jersey blend of 76% polyester, 19% lyocell, and 5% elastane, UPF 50+ rated fabric blocks at least 97.5% of UV rays.
Bobi Tank Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-XL.
Fabric: 100% Cotton.
Aqua Cotton Smocked Floral Print Dress
This is such an easy everyday summer dress for my younger readers. For my readers over 35, it looks a bit childish.
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-XL.
Fabric: 100% Cotton.
Madewell Maisie Mine Dress
This is such a great beach dress for super hot days. It’s very thin though and slightly sheer in the light.
Sizing: Available in sizes 00-16. A similar option is available in plus sizes here.
Fabric: 100 % Linen.
Rails Julie Mini Dress
This everyday short summer dress is best for lean ladies with a curve to their hips. It is available at Revolve and Rails.
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-XL.
Fabric: 100% ecovero.
J.Crew Maxine V-Neck Shift Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes XXS-3X.
Fabric: 100% Linen.
J.Crew Zip-Front Chino Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes 00-24.
Fabric: 56% cotton/44% TENCEL™ lyocell.
Good American Modern Tank Mini Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes 0-8.
Fabric: 45% cotton, 29% polyester, 15% spandex, 11% recycled cotton.
Athleta Ultimate Ease Dress
This everyday summer dress is best for women with small to medium busts, and those with minimal armpit fat.
Sizing: Available in sizes XXS-XL.
Fabric: 75% Recycled Polyester/25% Lycra.
Heartloom Katy Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-L.
Fabric: Self: 67% cotton, 33% polyester, Lining: 100% cotton.
Spanx Sunshine Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-3X.
Fabric: 59% Nylon, 41% Elastane.
Madewell Margie Linen Blend Dress
This everyday summer dress is available at Nordstrom and Madewell.
Sizing: Available in sizes 14W-24W, and in standard sizing here.
Fabric: 55% linen, 45% Lenzing EcoVero viscose.
Faithful The Brand Terre Mer Mini Dress
This dress is so fun and cute for the summer, but skip it if you have armpit fat.
Sizing: Available in sizes XS-XXL.
Fabric: Self 1: 100% cotton, Self 2: 100% rayon.
City Chic Tara Panel Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes 14-30/32.
Fabric: 100% Cotton.
City Chic Novalee Dress
This plus-size short summer dress is available at City Chic, Nordstrom, and Macy’s.
Sizing: Available in sizes 12-24. Runs large.
Fabric: 100% Viscose.
