Want to look as cool as you feel this summer? Try these 37 summer dresses that you can throw on whenever it’s too hot for pants. Which, in my opinion, is always. From beach to brunch, work to drinks, and date nights to events, we’ve rounded up the best dresses to wear when it’s illegally hot but you want to look put together. Minis, midis, maxis, halters, off the shoulder and spaghetti straps – we’ve got all the options you need to look amazing come warmer weather.
Special details, like pretty prints and frilly ruffles? We’ve got those in spades! It’s never been easier to look like you put major effort in but in actuality, just threw a dress over your head and walked out the door. I’ve definitely drunk the Kool-aid and added more than a couple of these to my cart, and thanks to Prime shipping, they’ll be in my wardrobe in mere days! No more schlepping to the store in sweltering temps at the last minute to find exactly the dress you need for specific occasions, we’ve got them all covered in this list that you can shop from the comfort of your (hopefully air-conditioned) home!
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This Midi Sundress is So Good For Brunch
If you’ve got brunch on your calendar, you’re gonna want to snag this midi sundress to wear while you sip mimosas. It has a cute little cut-out under the bust that’s not too showy for daytime, too. And it comes in 31 pretty patterns from florals to stripes!
This Maxi Dress Has Pockets
What has pockets and over 26,000 glowing reviews? This comfy maxi dress! Seriously, I have this one and reach for it whenever the temperature soars. Plus, you can wear it into the fall when you add a cute jacket and booties.
This Swingy Maxi is the Perfect Beach Dress
Has there ever been a more perfect beach dress? I think not – this one’s light, airy and so easy to wear. The empire waist is super flattering and the patterns couldn’t be prettier.
This Flowy Maxi is So Elegant
Need the perfect daytime wedding or summer evening date dress? I gotchu covered. This flowy, ruffly maxi dress is elegance personified, with a little bit of sexy thrown in thanks to the wrap neckline and high-low hem.
This Cover Up Dress Pulls Double Duty
Need a cover-up dress that looks as good on the beach as off? Try this cute little jersey number that’s so easy to throw on and go. Bonus – it has pockets for your essentials, no purse necessary!
This Tie Waist Midi Looks Like You Tried
Want maximum style with minimal effort? Snag this beachy tie waist midi dress and watch the compliments roll in. It’s the perfect dress for travel, too, so you won’t get overheated while walking around the city or the shore.
This Sundress is So Romantic
The ruched bodice on this flirty sundress adds just the right amount of romance, plus the pretty patterns work so well on this feminine shape. Reviewers love the just-thick-enough fabric that’s not see-through and the little bit of stretch that helps the dress hug your curves in all the right ways. Available in 24 patterns and solids, it’s easy to find one that flatters!
This Plus Size Midi Couldn’t Be Easier
This plus-size midi dress is an instant outfit in the making, just add jewelry and accessories to dress it up, or go plain to keep things easy breezy. It’s made from a super comfortable t-shirt material but since it’s a dress, it looks like you put some effort into looking put together! It’s got excellent reviews for its flattering cut and how easy it is to wear – a definite winner.
This Short Sleeve T-Shirt Dress is My Fave
Whenever I have to get dressed but it’s so hot I’d rather go naked, I reach for this comfy short sleeve t-shirt dress. I can just throw it on and stay cool, plus it has my fave dress feature – POCKETS! It’s got nearly 3,000 stellar reviews for being everyone’s go-to dress when the temperatures climb, plus it’s so versatile and easy to dress up or down.
This Pleated Dress is Fancy Enough for Events
Need a dress that’s still as comfortable as a nightgown but looks a million times better? Try this maxi dress with a pleated skirt that’ll be your go-to for everything from baby showers to daytime weddings. The flouncy sleeves add even more interest – no one will believe you got this on Amazon instead of a fancy boutique.
This Off-Shoulder Dress is a Fantastic Lewk
Want to up the romance? This off-the-shoulder dress in pretty patterns will do just that, with its flowy style. Don’t worry about it slipping off your shoulders though – happy reviewers report it stays put whether you wear it on shoulders or off.
This Body Con Dress is So Classy
This midi body con dress is just the right amount of sexy and classy, and you can wear it to a ton of events from weddings to cocktail parties. It comes in beautiful, bold colors and some neutrals as well, and it looks good on many body types as the reader pics illustrate! With nearly 16,000 rave reviews, you know this one’s going to become a wardrobe staple.
This Tiered Midi is Beyond Cute
I can’t decide what my favorite feature is on this cute tiered midi dress – the smocked bodice for an excellent fit, the tie shoulders for an extra dose of cute, the length that even works on us shorties – too many highlights to choose! It comes in many adorable polka dot prints and a few solids. And it gets great reviews for the lightweight, airy fabric that’s just right for hot days.
This Faux Wrap Dress is Absolutely Gorgeous
I love the look of wrap dresses but it’s so hard to keep them closed without a lot of help from pins or hooks that might not be included with the dress. This faux wrap dress solves that problem and gives you the look you want without the hassle! The swiss dot texture is just right for summer, too.
This Ruffle Midi Dress is So Well Made
I can’t get over the sweet style of this ruffled midi dress that looks right at home at work, baby or bridal showers, or brunch. Reviewers absolutely rave over how well-made the dress is and how well it fits. Available in eight colors and three pretty patterns, you’ll love wearing this beauty all summer long.
This Spaghetti Strap Ruffle Dress is Stretchy
Go from brunch to beach with ease in this spaghetti strap ruffle sundress that comes in a million (ok, 37) solids and patterns. I love this bright stripe that’s trending this summer, it couldn’t look more festive or fun! Reviewers love how the stretch built into the fabric helps them get a custom fit that hugs curves in a flattering way.
This Halter Mini Dress Screams Summer
This halter mini dress with a cute neck tie in the back is the perfect casual dress for all your summer adventures. You’ll stay cool as a cucumber in the mostly cotton fabric (with a touch of spandex for a great fit) and sleeveless design. With 23 solids and patterns to choose from, the hardest choice will be picking your favorite!
This Ruched Sarong Dress is Casually Sexy
This ruched sarong tie waist dress is just the thing to throw over your bikini before you hit a restaurant. Heck, with the right accessories, you could even wear this body con number for dinner and drinks! The colors range from mild to wild and some even have long sleeves so you can wear it year-round comfortably.
This Baby Doll Dress Couldn’t Be More Adorable
Want the cutest dress of the summer? You found it in this ruffly baby doll mini dress! I’d wear this pretty much every day in warm weather. It comes in patterns and solids and two styles, mini and knee-length.
This Lace Off Shoulder Mini Dress is Event-Worthy
Summer wedding guest? Take notice – this lace mini just could become your favorite summer event dress ever. You’ll be able to bare your shoulders in the subtly sexy design, so this is a natural for date nights, too! If you’re throwing a low-key wedding of your own, it also comes in white which would make the sweetest casual wedding dress.
This Off Shoulder Dress Has the Coolest Sleeves
This romantic off-the-shoulder mini couldn’t be easier to wear. The tiered, ruffled bell sleeves add interest to an otherwise plain (but still amazing) dress. I’d wear this lounging poolside or as a beach cover-up, easy peasy dressing for when it’s too hot to care!
This Midi Dress is Great for Nursing
The reviewers have spoken, and it looks like this sweet ruffled midi dress is the ultimate outfit for pregnant, postpartum, and nursing mamas! The wrap style makes for easy access without taking your whole dress off, and the tie waist accommodates a little extra weight. Whether you’re in a mama phase or not, this beauty is flattering to all body types and great for family pics!
This Boho Midi is Too Cool for School
Boho babes, listen up – I found your new favorite boho midi dress in tons of cool patterns to make your neo-hippie dreams come true. It looks good in every season, whether you pair it with sandals now and booties later, and it’s lightweight enough that you won’t roast this summer. The material’s beyond soft, so it’ll basically feel like wearing jammies but you’ll look fab.
This Skater Dress is Comfortably Casual
Everything about this skater dress is perfection, from the (non-functional) buttons that add interest to the pockets for holding all your stuff! It comes in a ton of colors and comes in short-sleeved or long, so it’ll be your favorite year-round. It looks good on so many body types, too.
This Nightgown Dress Looks Amazing
Ok, so technically this maxi dress is a nightgown, but you’d never know it once you add accessories and cool shoes! If you, like me, are the type that values comfort over everything but don’t want to give up on style, I may have found your holy grail. Stick with the patterns on this one and guarantee no one will know it’s sleepwear!
This Plus Size Wrap Faux Dress is So Flattering
If you want to look great and feel confident, try this faux wrap dress available in plus sizes. Over 7,000 happy reviewers give this dress close to 5 stars for the perfect fit and amazing style. It comes in a bunch of pretty florals and solids, plus some are in three-quarter sleeves so you can wear this dress in cooler weather, too!
This Lace Cocktail Dress Is Great for Day or Night Events
This pretty lace cocktail dress is so lovely, it’s tailor-made for daytime or nighttime events in warmer weather. One cool bride even wore the white version to her low-key wedding! I love the slightly longer length that makes it so classic.
This Polka Dot T-Shirt Dress is Beyond Comfortable
If you want an adorable pick-me-up, pick up this polka dot t-shirt dress that’ll keep you comfy all summer long. Stylish reviewers love it for wearing to work, to dinner, or even just running errands! Available in lots of pretty colors and a few versions are long-sleeved for fall, too.
This Striped Midi Dress is Beachy Cool
I’d have this striped midi dress on repeat all summer for everything from lounging on a boat (hey, a girl can dream) to running errands to vacationing in a cute little seaside town. The length is perfect for chasing after young kids, too, since you can bend over without worry about flashing anyone. It also comes in florals or solids, but I’m partial to the nautical stripes!
This Sexy Maxi Dress Has a High Leg Slit
Found ya the best maxi dress for date nights in steamy weather! The high leg slit keeps you cool (and oh so alluring) while the fun tropical or floral prints set the mood. The crossover spaghetti straps in the back are such a pretty detail, too.
This Bell Sleeved Mini Dress Goes From Day to Night
I was looking for a cute little dress that could go from day to night on vacation so I didn’t have to overpack. This bell-sleeved mini number does the trick – dress it up with accessories and a belt or keep it casual with flip flops and it’s as versatile as all get out. It comes in 41(!) solids and patterns so you might need to grab a few if you can’t decide!
This Halter Maxi Dress is Backless to Keep You Cool
When it’s really hot but you have to look presentable, go for this halter maxi dress. The back is open, letting the breeze cool you down, and the fabric is lightweight and airy so you won’t overheat. It’s incredibly elegant, so much so that you could wear this to a summer wedding. Or you could just wear it hanging around, looking glamorous without even trying.
This Swing Babydoll Dress is Precious
Calling all cuties! Need a summer dress as adorable as you are? Get on board with this swingy baby doll mini in gorgeous brights or classic neutrals for a style that’ll keep you cool when it’s sweltering. The ruffle sleeves are the perfect finishing touch.
This Twist Dress Flatters All Bodies
Thanks to its gorgeous twist design, this fancy dress flatters all body types since it accentuates your best parts! Show off your pretty collarbones with the open neck and lovely legs with the slit skirt, while the dress beautifully drapes over your curves. From dinner dates to dancing to events, this dress is your partner in crime when you want to look like a total smoke show.
This Ruffle Mini Dress Has Almost 8,000 Rave Reviews
This ruffly mini dress will make you feel as cool as it looks, thanks to the light, frilly fabric and open back! It looks great on everyone from petite to plus-sized, as the reader pics show. It comes in sweet prints, solids, and even swiss dot for a total summer feel.
This Asymmetrical Ruffle Dress Goes from Work to Drinks
It’s hard to find a dress that goes from work to drinks as seamlessly as this asymmetrical ruffly number. The cute sleeves and ruffly skirt add interest to a standard dress that’s anything but basic! The fit and flare style is so flattering and the dress has some stretch so you’ll get an amazing fit.
This Crossover Skirt Mini Dress is Never Leaving My Body
I needed a comfy dress I could wear during daily mom life but that I could also dress up a bit for those rare dinners out with my hubby or girlfriends, and I found it in this cute crossover skirt mini dress. I love that it’s got a few layers so it’s thick enough to not show every bump and also isn’t see-through, but it’s not too hot for even the warmest summer days. Don’t just take my word for it, it’s got over 19,400 fans on Amazon right now!