Everyday Short Summer Dresses For Everyone

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:

1. Flattering for multiple body types
2. Comfortable and/or has stretch
3. Made of sweat-friendly fabric (no silk or chiffon, etc)
4. 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:

1. 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.
2. Denim Jacket: A classic choice. I prefer an oversized one for a chicer look.
3. Short Jacket: Think bomber jacket or windbreaker
4. 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…

• White Sneakers
• Gold Sandals (as seen in my daily look post)
• Flip Flops 
• Flat Sandals (also loving these)

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…

Michael Stars Liza Mini Swing Dress

Available at Michael Stars and Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 100% cotton

Bella Dahl Linen Belted Tunic Dress

Available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Bella Dahl.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: 100% linen

Bella Dahl Linen Belted Blazer Dress

You can see how I styled this blazer dress in my daily look post.

Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: 100% linen

Available at Nordstrom, also available in petite.

Sizing: XS-XL and 0X-3X

Material: 90% rayon, 10% spandex

Lovers and Friends Leah Mini Dress

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 65% viscose, 32% linen, 3% elastane; lining: 95% viscose, 5% elastane

Rails Edie Stripe Tie Waist T-Shirt Dress

Available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

Sizing: XS-XXL

Material: 100% cotton

Faithful the Brand Marinia Mini Dress

Another wonderfully structured dress that can be thrown on for a completed look with little effort.

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: self: 100% linen; lining: 100% rayon

Alexis Christy Dress

Available at Revolve and FWRD.

 Sizing: XS-XL

Material: self: 100% linen; lining: 100% polyester

Farm Rio Tropical Forest Sleeveless V-Neck Mini Dress

VSTYLE readers can get 20% off at Farm Rio right now with code VSTYLE20.

Available at Farm Rio and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 100% linen; lining: 100% cotton

Farm Rio Red Summer Foliage Mini Dress

You know I love Farm Rio dresses, so I just had to show you one more that I’m loving for the summer. And, VSTYLE readers can get 20% off at Farm Rio right now with code VSTYLE20.

Available at Farm Rio, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 100% linen

Simkhai Cleo Polin Balloon-Sleeve Pleated Mini Dress

Available at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom.

Sizing: 0-14

Material: 60% cotton, 40% polyester

Sanctuary The Only One T-Shirt Dress

Available at Sanctuary and Nordstrom (available in Plus sizes here).

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 55% organic cotton, 45% rayon

Omika Lani Mini Dress

Available at Omika.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 100% modal

Omika Amelia Mini Dress

Available at Omika.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 100% viscose

Veronica Beard Dewey Cotton Mini Dress

Available at Mytheresa.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 100% cotton

Ramy Brook Georgia Sleeveless Belted Mini Dress

Available at Ramy Brook and Bergdorf Goodman.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 83% viscose ecovero, 17% nylon; lining: 96% polyester, 4% spandex

Alice + Olivia Maryann Tie Shoulder Denim Mini Dress

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: 0-12

Material: 92% cotton, 6% elastomultiester, 2% elastane

Alice + Olivia Miranda Sleeveless Mini Dress

I adore denim dresses, and this short summer denim dress by Alice + Olivia will keep you cool. See more denim frocks in my post on the Best Denim Dresses.

Available at Neiman Marcus and Revolve.

Sizing: 0-14

Material: self: 100% cotton; lining: 98% cotton, 2% elastane

A.L.C. Aria Poplin Mini Shirtdress

Available at A.L.C., Saks Fifth Avenue, ShopBop, Bloomingdale’s, and Revolve.

Sizing: 00-14

Material: 100% cotton

A.L.C. Ryan Cotton Mini Dress

Available at A.L.C..

Sizing: 00-14

Material: 68% cotton, 32% linen

Alémais Salty Tie-Dyed Woven Mini Shirt Dress

Available at Moda Operandi.

Sizing: 0-10

Material: woven crepe

Vineyard Vines Marina Puff-Sleeve Mini Dress

Available at Vineyard Vines and Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 41% tencel, 41% viscose, 18% polyamide

STAUD Ellison Mini Dress

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: XS-XL. Runs small.

Material: 59% viscose, 40% nylon, 1% elastane

Agua Bendita Moana Dress

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: polyester blend

Aqua Jersey Tank Midi Dress

Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XS-XXL

Material: 93% rayon, 7% elastane

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.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Poshmark.

Sizing: XS-XXL. True to size.

Material: 100% cotton

ba&sh Maxine Ribbed Dress

Available at Saks Off 5th and Poshmark.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: 92% cotton, 6% polyamide, 2% polyester film

Frame Denim Bustier Zip Dress

 

This short denim summer dress by Frame fits absolutely incredibly on everyone!

Available at Poshmark.

Sizing: XS-XL. True to Size.

Material: 85% cotton, (15% re-used cotton)

Beyond Yoga Spacedye Move It Dress

This dress is a bit boring in its design, but it feels like heaven. Spacedye is buttery soft performance fabric with a unique texture and exceptionally soft hand.

Available at Beyond Yoga.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 87% polyester, 13% elastane

Rails Julie Mini Dress

This everyday short summer dress is best for lean ladies with a curve to their hips.

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 100% ecovero

Good American Modern Tank Mini Dress

Available at Revolve and Poshmark.

Sizing: 0-8

Material: 45% cotton, 29% polyester, 15% spandex, 11% recycled cotton

Heartloom Katy Dress

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: self: 67% cotton, 33% polyester; lining: 100% cotton

Madewell Margie Linen Blend Dress

Available at Nordstrom Rack.

Sizing: 0-16

Material: 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.

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XS-XXL

Material: Self 1: 100% cotton; Self 2: 100% rayon

Farm Rio Blue Wonderful Bouquet Mini Dress

A dressier option, I know! But I swear it feels like nothing once it’s on, making it an ideal everyday summer dress. And VSTYLE readers can get 20% off at Farm Rio with code VSTYLE20. Take a look at how I styled this dress in one of my daily looks.

Available at Farm Rio, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: True to size. Available in XXS-XL

Material: 55% cotton, 45% viscose

Everyday Short Summer Dresses From Years Past

I originally wrote this post on the best short summer dresses years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.

Lilly Pulitzer Parigi Skort Romper

Available at Lilly Pulitzer, Zappos, and Amazon.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 94% rayon, 6% spandex

Becca Breezy Basics Smocked Waist Cover-Up Dress

This everyday summer dress is a little see-thru, so it’s best worn over a bikini or with silky boy shorts and a matching bralette.

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: S-L

Material: 65% rayon, 35% polyester

Melissa Odabash Isabelle Embroidered Kaftan

Available at Poshmark.

Sizing: one size

Material: 100% viscose

Bobi Draped Modal Jersey Mini Dress

This short summer dress is for standard to long-waisted women who like their thighs.

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XS-L. Runs a little large. Order your true size as well as a size down.

Material: 54% cotton, 44% modal, 2% spandex

La Ligne Alba Mini Dress

Available at La Ligne.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 51% linen, 49% viscose

Closed Gathered Belted Denim Dress

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: Medium

Material: 100% cotton

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.

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.

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.

Spanx Sunshine Dress

Sizing: Available in sizes XS-3X.
Fabric: 59% Nylon, 41% Elastane.

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.

J.Crew Maxine V-Neck Shift Dress

Sizing: Available in sizes XXS-3X.
Fabric: 100% Linen.