Timeless Summer Dresses: Chic and Comfortable Styles for the Season
Bonjour mes amies! While dresses may not be my go-to choice, I often receive messages from my readers asking for dress recommendations, and as many of you are in the midst of the summer heat, now’s the perfect time to share. Dresses can be a practical and easy choice for summer, offering both comfort and coolness. I’ve been on the lookout for dresses that aren’t too frilly or flouncy and can be styled in various ways. Today I’m sharing some light and easy dresses to help you breeze through the rest of your summer.
Classic Shirt Dresses: Versatile and Timeless
Shirt dresses offer a versatile option that can be dressed up or down. Look for those with a flattering fit and breathable fabrics such as organic cotton or linen.
Eileen Fisher organic cotton ripple shirtdress – $188
A classic, breathable option that’s perfect for casual outings.
It’s hard to see in this image, but the fabric has a subtle grid pattern that adds texture and interest.
Nordstrom Stripe Belted Cotton Utility Shirtdress – $99.50
A stylish utility shirtdress that combines comfort with a structured look, perfect for everyday wear.
Also available in Teal stripe, sizes XX-Small to XX-Large.
Comfortable Cotton Poplin: Easy and Breezy
Eileen Fisher Washed Organic Cotton Poplin Dress – $228.00
A wafty cotton poplin dress with plenty of cooling ease. How pretty is this “Calypso” blue??
J.Crew Drop-waist Midi Dress in Striped Cotton Poplin – $198.00
A stylish striped dress that can go from day to dinner.
Linen Love: Cool and Chic
Linen is another fantastic fabric for summer, keeping you cool while offering a chic, relaxed look.
J.Crew Button-up Midi Dress in Linen – $198.00
A versatile linen dress that can be worn for both casual and more dressed up occasions (just replace the belt…)
Eileen Fisher organic linen classic collar dress – $125.40
A lightweight striped shirtdress with a relaxed silhouette, made from breezy organic linen. Currently 30% off!
Sizes XX-Small to 3X and Petites (runs large).
Bonus: Elevated Casual Set
For those days when you prefer dress-over-pants look, or if you’re like me and aren’t always keen on dresses, I’ve found the perfect product pairing that combines the ease of dresses with the comfort of trousers.
Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Wide Leg Pant – $178.00
These lightweight wide leg linen trousers are perfect for pairing with a simple top, specifically the dress option below. They offer an effortlessly chic look that’s just as stylish and comfortable as a summer dress.
Eileen Fisher Puckered Organic Linen Shirt Dress – $248.00
A versatile linen shirt dress that can be worn as either a dress or lightweight topper, providing the perfect mix of comfort and style for any summer day.
Finding the right summer dress is all about feeling comfortable, confident, and chic. Whether you prefer classic shirt dresses, breathable cotton, or cool linen, there’s a perfect option for everyone. And for those non-dress days, remember that stylish lightweight trousers can be just as comfortable!
Stay in touch
Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.
I seldom wear dresses because there are very few styles that appeal to me. The only one pictured here that looks chic is the J Crew with the dropped waist, but it would not be chic to display my arms at my age (70’s.) Dresses that lack a defined waist may be cool and comfortable but I feel dowdy in them. I’ve been searching for a dress for a fall wedding but have been unsuccessful and will no doubt end up in pants with a dressy top with a 3/4 or long sleeve.
Marie, I wonder if you’ve seen the brand Komarov? They carry it at Nordstrom. The dresses have a lovely built in shape, rather than a body hugging sort of style. Some of the dresses come with a pretty chiffon jacket, others have sleeve.
Since these are often purchased for an occasion, they are often resold on EBay, and other sites for a fraction of retail.
I purchased dresses for both of my children’s weddings, and really, only wore the dresses once!
I second the Komorov recommendation. Bonus – they are lightweight and pack like a dream
PS, I meant this comment for JB, who was talking about finding a dress for a wedding.
Marie, carry on with your cool and breezy everyday choices!
JB there is a brand call Alquema. They have a range of dresses mostly with 3/4 sleeves or for a wedding a dress with matching coat. They are very light weight and usually have a defined waist. Range has variety of colours and styles. They can be dressed up or down
Great issue. I mostly wear loose dresses in the hot weather and find them airier (is that a word?) than pants and tops. JJill , OhMyGauze and FreshProduce offer some modestly priced options. The LandsEnd cotton coverup dresses long and short are great for around the house, casual errands, etc. At home, I wear just a dress, but often to go out, I will add a very, very light and loose at the waist pant, which is a nice look and saves me from having to add full-leg sunscreen. Coolibar spf sells silky thin pants/capris/long shorts that are good for this. The long cotton capris from Fresh Produce are good also, and they have some nice linen blends that are thin. You have shown some athleisure pants recently that would work well also. Rayon blends with loose waists are comfy, as well. OhMyGauze sells “vests” that have varied cut hems and can be worn as dresses or tops over pants also. Great pockets. And LOL, I find the Eileen Fisher pieces always look better in person than in their online pics which seem a bit dowdy or utilitarian. She’s added some light muted green colors, too, that are attractive.
These are all nice hot-weather choices, but with so many summer sales going on, I found some lower-priced quality, short-sleeve linen dresses on Quince, Banana and other sites. I bought a linen button front shirt dress from Quince for $49 that’s now on heavy rotation, thanks to our scorching, humid days in Virginia.
I wore the Eileen Fisher organic puckered linen dress in Paris last month and it was a lifesaver on hot, sticky days. Light enough so the air seemed to flow right through the fabric and yet opaque enough to not be see-through – I cannot recommend it enough. Older women in France tend to wear dresses or skirts when it’s hot and there’s a reason for that!
Anthropologie has a surprising (to me) number of beautiful, cotton shirt dresses in very cool patterns and colors. My favorite has been the Soren, which is so reasonably priced for its quality. It also pops up frequently on resale sites in previous seasons’ colors.
I saw some lovely dresses in this post. Especially the J Crew one, although my arms need more coverage.
Greetje
Yes, I’ve had so many readers mention that it’s extremely hot where they live, so for this selection I went with short sleeves. I’ll be putting together a “dresses with sleeves” post once the pre-fall pieces start to show up.