The Summer Dresses That Never Go Out of Style
Dresses and summer go together like peanut butter and jelly. They’re ideal for hot weather because of their flowy nature, often come in bright, summery colors, and can be a style solution whether you’re heading to the beach or an outdoor dinner. Plus, many dress styles are classic, meaning you can wear them year after year without worrying that they’ll go out of fashion—but not all dresses are timeless and it’s helpful to know which items you can purchase to wear for years.
Here are the summer dresses that never go out of style.
A Linen Dress
During the summer months, linen dresses (and all linen clothing for that matter) are seriously in style. According to a recent article on Elle.com by Hadya Tuofiq, “[linen] will keep you cool and dry (it's both breathable and absorbant) in summer, naturally repels moths and gets better with age, plus, is sustainable since it's made from a crop that needs little water and no pesticides. Oh, and it's very chic.” By investing in a high-quality linen dress, you’ll have a go-to summer dress to wear throughout the season and to all kinds of gatherings.
Linen dresses come in casual options like button-front shirt dresses, in addition to dressier varieties like embroidered maxi dresses and smocked midi dress styles. Both options go well with low block-heeled shoes or flat sandals.
A White Dress
“White dresses for women are summer’s official-unofficial uniform,” wrote Rachel Besser for Vogue, “They’re comfortable no matter how high the temps may reach and they’re a great way to feel instantly styled without putting much thought into getting dressed.” In other words, white dresses—whether cotton dresses, linen dresses, or shirt dresses—are a summer style that can be relied on no matter the seasonal trends.
The Farmers’ Almanac states that “you’re not supposed to wear white after the holiday weekend is over,” nodding to an adage that refers to the no-white-after-Labor-Day rule. Whether or not you follow this rule (you definitely don’t have to follow it!), the essence remains: White is certainly a summer-specific shade. In other words, stocking up on white dresses will be a good idea for summers to come. And, yes, you can wear them after Labor Day weekend if you wish.
A Maxi Dress
Maxi dresses for women are a classic summer dress style that’s ideal for tall, petite, and women of average height. They’re flowy, flattering, and an easy piece to throw on for an all-in-one summer look. Their versatility and ease make them a summer dress that many choose to wear year after year.
Maxi dresses come in a range of colors and designs, so you can choose a print or color that’s in that season. Is paisley in? Get a paisley maxi dress. Are understated looks the “it” thing of summer? Get a black maxi dress. Either way, maxi dresses as a style remain timeless and a great summer dress to wear season after season.
A Shirt Dress
Shirt dresses are “a dress tailored like a shirt with a collar and buttons down the front. Also called shirtwaist,” according to The Free Dictionary. Shirt dresses are a style that is as timeless as a button-down shirt and comes in a variety of styles—belted options, sleeves styles, short-sleeved versions, and more. In the summer months, you can wear a shirt dress with a pair of espadrilles, open-toed block heeled shoes, or sparkly, flat sandals. Plus, the look is perfect for a day at the office when worn with one of your cotton cardigans, and is just as perfect for a casual summer picnic with your canvas tote tote bag in tow.
While shirt dresses are a timeless look for the entire year, they can be made into instant summer outfits when you choose the right color dress. For summer, wear a light-colored shirt dress to match the season’s light energy. Try a shirt dress in cream, light yellow, pale stripes, or even white to achieve a classic summer look. Throw on a sun hat and a pair of sunglasses, and you’ll be not only timeless but super chic, too.
In essence, dresses are a classic summer style that keeps you cool, comfortable, and trendy. It’s the season to fully embrace your favorite dress—and better yet if it's a style that never goes out of fashion.