Annual casual summer dress post. What are you finding?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Appreciate the thread. I'm trying to buy a few casual dresses in 1) a woven cotton or linen that 2) can be worn with a regular bra, and 3) aren't ruffled and tiered, and it's slim pickings!

Yes, why are there so many dresses out there that do not allow you to wear a proper bra? I know not everybody has my rack, but the number of women who don't need a bra with a dress is low.

I don't like strapless bras, and the convertible bras do not necessarily work with a lot of these dresses.

I actually think most of the dresses posted in this thread can be worn with a bra.

I posted upthread about being someone who burns easily, so I'm always looking for summer dresses that actually cover my back and chest and ideally even have sleeves (but in summer-friendly fabrics). Obviously any dress that meets those requirements would also be bra-friendly. I've seen a bunch in this thread.

Lots of dressier summer dresses have thin straps or open backs and while that's cute, they do pose logistical challenges. I look at most dresses like that as for someone with a very different lifestyle than mine. When I was 25 and looking for a dress to wear on a date or to a party or out to brunch, I'd wear stuff like that. Now I'm looking for something I can wear for errands, to stand around at a kid's party or activity for 2 hours, for travel/vacation (so walking and sight seeing and more kids activities), and especially for anything that can transition to work well. I simply do not have much use for a strappy sundress anymore, especially not something with cutouts or a low neckline. They are cute, but I have limited places to wear them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i just ordered this from lands end -- it might be hideous on, in which case I'll return it, but thought it might work with sandals as a cool, casual dress:

https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-linen-dolman-sleeve-peasant-above-knee-dress/id_376422?attributes=44967,32671&dysku=6104500&emid=usnews_trans_order-confirm&rrid=202405060837490000000000000000000000000000000009036500000000000000000000000000000661224905&hash=5bf07adbecbf80a45d5a0a9165cbefb2407822526588a145534258e91c912963&unhash=ab8373e092957fe7a4546053c408e3c2af9b304d62c6ce6a8514adb50c633569&rysid=661224905&cm_mmc=usnews-_-usnews_trans_order-confirm-_-null-_-null&email_hash=ab8373e092957fe7a4546053c408e3c2af9b304d62c6ce6a8514adb50c633569

That does look promising. It will all come down to the neckline, I think. Sometimes necklines like that look casual and relaxed on me, and sometimes it's very Chairman Mao. I am not clear why some work and some don't, something about how open they are and where they hit on my neck?

[Anonymous]

The uniqlo dresses PP posted are cute, and I may look more at those, but lord, they look terrible on the models! It's like they choose the thinnest model, then put a dress on her that's three sizes too big, and then tell her to slouch and act like her mom just told her she can't go to prom until her room is cleaned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i just ordered this from lands end -- it might be hideous on, in which case I'll return it, but thought it might work with sandals as a cool, casual dress:

https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-linen-dolman-sleeve-peasant-above-knee-dress/id_376422?attributes=44967,32671&dysku=6104500&emid=usnews_trans_order-confirm&rrid=202405060837490000000000000000000000000000000009036500000000000000000000000000000661224905&hash=5bf07adbecbf80a45d5a0a9165cbefb2407822526588a145534258e91c912963&unhash=ab8373e092957fe7a4546053c408e3c2af9b304d62c6ce6a8514adb50c633569&rysid=661224905&cm_mmc=usnews-_-usnews_trans_order-confirm-_-null-_-null&email_hash=ab8373e092957fe7a4546053c408e3c2af9b304d62c6ce6a8514adb50c633569

That does look promising. It will all come down to the neckline, I think. Sometimes necklines like that look casual and relaxed on me, and sometimes it's very Chairman Mao. I am not clear why some work and some don't, something about how open they are and where they hit on my neck?

that is such a perfect way to put it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i just ordered this from lands end -- it might be hideous on, in which case I'll return it, but thought it might work with sandals as a cool, casual dress:

https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-linen-dolman-sleeve-peasant-above-knee-dress/id_376422?attributes=44967,32671&dysku=6104500&emid=usnews_trans_order-confirm&rrid=202405060837490000000000000000000000000000000009036500000000000000000000000000000661224905&hash=5bf07adbecbf80a45d5a0a9165cbefb2407822526588a145534258e91c912963&unhash=ab8373e092957fe7a4546053c408e3c2af9b304d62c6ce6a8514adb50c633569&rysid=661224905&cm_mmc=usnews-_-usnews_trans_order-confirm-_-null-_-null&email_hash=ab8373e092957fe7a4546053c408e3c2af9b304d62c6ce6a8514adb50c633569

I have a white slip made of bamboo from amazon that would be perfect with that- and some very flat sandals. take me to the beach!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about your dresses from last summer?

You don’t get a couple of new dresses every year?

NP here- these dresses are very tempting but i realize i have dresses from last year and beyond that i love just as much and i know they look good irl.

[Anonymous]

I love swing or trapeze shirt dresses. I also tend to look neat in tailored silhouettes, but I find the structured top helps but the swing shape keeps me cooler/comfortable in DC summers. They are everywhere from old navy to tuckernuck or (DCUM favorite) Chicos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently bought this dress and love it, it’s super comfy.
https://factory.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/dresses/casual-dresses/short-sleeve-tie-waist-t-shirt-dress/BI142

That looks great for things like errands, kids soccer games, etc. I got this one on a whim at Costco of all places and it is the most comfortable thing I own:
https://www.costco.com/chaps-ladies'-crewneck-knit-dress.product.4000215307.html

That looks cute, comfortable, and is very affordable, but for me the sleeve design would make my shoulders look too slumped and the fabric would cling to and accentuate my cellulite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently bought this dress and love it, it’s super comfy.
https://factory.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/dresses/casual-dresses/short-sleeve-tie-waist-t-shirt-dress/BI142

That looks great for things like errands, kids soccer games, etc. I got this one on a whim at Costco of all places and it is the most comfortable thing I own:
https://www.costco.com/chaps-ladies'-crewneck-knit-dress.product.4000215307.html

That looks cute, comfortable, and is very affordable, but for me the sleeve design would make my shoulders look too slumped and the fabric would cling to and accentuate my cellulite.

I always like the idea of that type of dress, but the cellulite issue is real. They are typically very unforgiving and show every undergarment line and body lump & bump.

[Anonymous]

Try Marea.

[Anonymous]

I love La Ligne, overall, and they have some great dresses that fit what you seem to be seeking. https://lalignenyc.com/collections/dresses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love La Ligne, overall, and they have some great dresses that fit what you seem to be seeking. https://lalignenyc.com/collections/dresses

Pretty, but way too expensive

[Anonymous]

I recently got this Land’s End dress and am happy with it. I’m short and a bit roundish, but this hides it fairly well.
https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-gathered-waist-short-sleeve-dress/id_380131?attributes=30845,43307,43324,44256,44967

[Anonymous]

I got a nice dress from H&M last year. Cotton and not flattering but very chic and comfortable. Black and White graphic floral print.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Boden florrie dress might fit the bill. I have this in a few prints and I really like it.

Sorry here is the link https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/florrie-jersey-dress-surf-the-web-pineapple-geo/sty-j0849-bsp

Does Biden run true to size? I've never gotten anything from there, but this is cute!

Generally yes, although sometimes on the smaller side. Definitely read the reviews.