Come July, my clients are always asking for the best 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 short 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 list of the best short summer dresses, each dress had to meet these standards. It’s:
- Flattering for multiple body types
- Comfortable and/or has stretch
- 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 Short Summer Dresses
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 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
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…
Marine Layer Camila Mini Dress
This short dress is especially flattering on pear body shapes. Plus, it has pockets, which you know I love!
Available at Marine Layer
Sizing: Available in XS – XL.
Material: 54% Hemp, 44% TENCEL™ Lyocell, 2% Spandex
SIMONMILLER Inna Sleeveless Poplin Mini Dress
This is one of my personal favorite short summer dresses this year. It’s so stretchy, comfortable, and CHIC! Plus, the tie at the waist flatters the belly. You can see how I styled it in my recent Daily Look post.
Available at SIMONMILLER, Nordstrom, and Anthropologie.
Sizing: XS – XL
Material: 72% cotton, 25% nylon, 3% spandex
Reistor Midnight Muse V-neck Short Dress
A simple, flattering throw on dress with POCKETS!
Available at Reistor
Sizing: Available in XS – 3XL
Material: 100% Bemberg™ Crepe
L Space Sunchaser Dress
Available at L Space and Amazon
Sizing: Available in sizes XS – XL
Material: 100% Cotton
Cinq à Sept Elina Gathered Shirtdress
Available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s
Sizing: 00 – 16.
Material: 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane
Express Ribbed Knit Scoop Neck Wrap Tie Mini Sheath Dress
This short summer dress is made of super thin fabric, so you’ll want to wear it with your 4-inch Nood pasties.
Available at Express
Sizing: Available in XS – XL. Runs large, order a size down.
Material: Rayon/Spandex
Celandine 100% Cotton Knotted Tee Mini Dress
OBSESSED. This is my go-to, throw-on short summer dress.
Available at Anthropologie
Sizing: XXS – XL
Material: 100% Cotton
SIR Linen Minidress
Available at Mytheresa
Sizing: US 0 – 10
Material: 100% Linen
ALÉMAIS Solstice Mini Dress
Available at ALÉMAIS, Revolve, Net-A-Porter, Harrods, and Anthropologie
Sizing: US 0 – 12
Material: 100% Cotton
Joe’s Jeans The Scoop Neck Mini Dress
Available at Bloomingdale’s, Revolve, Joe’s Jeans, and Amazon
Sizing: XS – XL
Material: 99% cotton/1% LYCRA®
Exquise The Tobie Button-Front Pleated Eyelet Mini Shirt Dress
Available at Anthropologie
Sizing: XXS-XL. Runs true to size.
Material: cotton, polyester, elastane
ALÉMAIS Michelle Mini Dress
Available at Alémais, Revolve, and Amazon
Sizing: US 0 – 12
Material: 100% European Linen
Modern Citizen Fallon Organic Cotton T-Shirt Wrap Dress
Available at Modern Citizen and Nordstrom
Sizing: Available in XS – 1X
Material: 92% Organic Cotton, 8% Spandex
Show Me Your Mumu Oxford Tank Dress
Another one of my favorite short summer dresses. You can see how I styled it my Daily Look post.
Available at Revolve
Sizing: XS-XXL. Runs true to size. Works best on women who are 5’4 or shorter. Also, skip this dress if you are busty — it’s made for C cups or smaller.
Material: 98% cotton, 2% spandex
Lauren Ralph Lauren Stripe Pointelle Stitch Tank Dress
Available at Belk.
Sizing: XXS-XXL. Runs true to size.
Material: 57% cotton, 43% viscose
The Upside Peached Lucette Pleated Dress
Available at Mytheresa.
Sizing: XXS-XL. Runs true to size.
Material: self: 72% recycled polyamide, 28% elastane; lining: 92% polyamide, 8% elastane
Faithful the Brand Marinia Mini Dress
This is a wonderfully structured short summer dress that can be thrown on for a complete look with little effort.
Available at Revolve.
Sizing: XS-XL
Material: self: 100% linen; lining: 100% rayon
Vix Gisa Short Dress
For style inspo, you can see me wearing this short summer dress in my recent Daily Look post.
Available at Vix.
Sizing: XS-XL. Runs true to size.
Material: 80% viscose, 20% silk
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
Karen Kane Fringe Trim V-Neck Dress
Available at Belk.
Sizing: XS-XL and 0X-3X
Material: 90% rayon, 10% spandex
Simkhai Cleo Polin Balloon-Sleeve Pleated Mini Dress
Available at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Sizing: 0-14
Material: 60% cotton, 40% polyester
STAUD Ellison Mini Dress
Available at Shopbop.
Sizing: XS-XL. Runs small.
Material: 59% viscose, 40% nylon, 1% elastane
Best 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.
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.
Sizing: 0-14
Material: self: 100% cotton; lining: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
Agua Bendita Moana Dress
Sizing: XS-XL
Material: polyester blend
Rails Julie Mini Dress
This everyday short summer dress is best for lean ladies with a curve to their hips.
Sizing: XS-XL
Material: 100% ecovero
Heartloom Katy Dress
Sizing: XS-L
Material: self: 67% cotton, 33% polyester; lining: 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.
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.
J.Crew Maxine V-Neck Shift Dress
Sizing: Available in sizes XXS-3X.
Fabric: 100% Linen.
Veronica Beard Roxanne Linen Blend Dress
Sizing: 00-16. Runs true to size.
Material: 55% linen, 44% viscose, 1% elastane
Good American Modern Tank Mini Dress
Availability: Available pre-owned here (6) and here (3).
Sizing: 0-8
Material: 45% cotton, 29% polyester, 15% spandex, 11% recycled cotton
