The perfect summer dresses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 42. My perfect summer dress is:

1. A light, 100% woven cotton, and NOT a knit jersey that get too hot, but mustn't be too see-through. If gauzy, it has to have a cotton lining at certain areas. Linings are often not cotton, so that reduced options.
2. It has cap sleeves or similar to protect my shoulders from the sun.
3. It has a waist because that's my best feature.
4. It goes down below the knee because I don't like my knees but not too long because it gets in the way when I walk the dogs.
5. It's a nice color or pattern.

Which is why I don't have a lot of summer dresses!

Nap dresses are great for this (and their cotton knockoffs)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 42. My perfect summer dress is:

1. A light, 100% woven cotton, and NOT a knit jersey that get too hot, but mustn't be too see-through. If gauzy, it has to have a cotton lining at certain areas. Linings are often not cotton, so that reduced options.
2. It has cap sleeves or similar to protect my shoulders from the sun.
3. It has a waist because that's my best feature.
4. It goes down below the knee because I don't like my knees but not too long because it gets in the way when I walk the dogs.
5. It's a nice color or pattern.

Which is why I don't have a lot of summer dresses!

Nap dresses are great for this (and their cotton knockoffs)

Can we stop with the nap dresses. They are EVERYWHERRRE. I also put them in the "trying to hard" side of casual when someone rolls up to the playground or a backyard party in one.

[Anonymous]

I wear things like this (including this specific one) https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/daily-practice-by-anthropologie-utility-mini-dress?category=dresses-casual-everyday&color=001&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

with Chucks.

[Anonymous]

For me, a perfect summer dress for DC summer is one that:
- does not require a bra
- is made from a lightweight woven cotton or linen
- barely touches my body
- does not cover my shoulders, back, chest, knees

DC is so humid and hot in the summer that I want to feel as though I'm barely wearing anything when I go outdoors. I want maximum ventilation! I have a dress that I got ~10 years ago from the target discount rack for $6, that is a lightweight cotton spaghetti strap with a slightly structured bodice, just above the knee. It basically touches your body at the chest an no where else. I haven't been able to find anything like it since. I'm going to try to disassemble it and use it as a pattern to make a copy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wear things like this (including this specific one) https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/daily-practice-by-anthropologie-utility-mini-dress?category=dresses-casual-everyday&color=001&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

with Chucks.

You wear a long-sleeved sweatshirt mini dress in the summer? Do you live in DC?

[Anonymous]

https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/dresses-and-jumpsuits/relaxed-fit-linen-shirtdress/BJ042?display=all&fit=Classic&color_name=navy&colorProductCode=BJ042

I have it three colors from last summer (when J Crew had a Baird McNutt linen line). Machine wash, hang dry, wear with Birks, Vans, Superga, or Converse. Buy one size down from your normal size. Also great as a swimsuit cover up. If you don't like real linen, which wrinkles, don't buy it. If you love real linen, like I do, it's a dream summer dress. You can wear a bra and it has pockets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/dresses-and-jumpsuits/relaxed-fit-linen-shirtdress/BJ042?display=all&fit=Classic&color_name=navy&colorProductCode=BJ042

I have it three colors from last summer (when J Crew had a Baird McNutt linen line). Machine wash, hang dry, wear with Birks, Vans, Superga, or Converse. Buy one size down from your normal size. Also great as a swimsuit cover up. If you don't like real linen, which wrinkles, don't buy it. If you love real linen, like I do, it's a dream summer dress. You can wear a bra and it has pockets.

I love this! I’ve been trying to have a no shopping may but this thread is tempting me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wear things like this (including this specific one) https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/daily-practice-by-anthropologie-utility-mini-dress?category=dresses-casual-everyday&color=001&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

with Chucks.

m
Not with socks and Tevas like the model

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp bully will flame this but I have this in two colors and it’s wildly comfortable, and washes and dries in the machine, never wrinkles etc. I wear it with just slides if I’m casual farmers market type thing, or can dress it up a little with sandals with a heel and a necklace, and can do a wrap, open cardigan or a jean jacket if it’s cold. It’s the perfect travel dress.
https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-cotton-modal-jersey-surplice-fit-and-flare-dress/id_362111?attributes=44967,27697&source=GS¤cy=USD&geo=US&skumv=5799547&promotion-code=NFWHY37&promotion-pin=0&cm_mmc=139971612&SC=pla_non-brand&CMPGN=11383290717&ADGRP=140518349464&KYW=&MT=&DV=m&PID=5799547&TRGT=pla-295613136660&gclid=CjwKCAjw682TBhATEiwA9crl34Vh0j2nnwQKjqt2KaJqhOGRxL4Fk_2M4FjDW5WQxvXQgITbZrB1sxoCLHwQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAjw682TBhATEiwA9crl34Vh0j2nnwQKjqt2KaJqhOGRxL4Fk_2M4FjDW5WQxvXQgITbZrB1sxoCLHwQAvD_BwE&CH=Google%20AdWords&_cclid=Google_CjwKCAjw682TBhATEiwA9crl34Vh0j2nnwQKjqt2KaJqhOGRxL4Fk_2M4FjDW5WQxvXQgITbZrB1sxoCLHwQAvD_BwE

I love this!!

I have four of these in short and maxi that I bought over the years. Have worn the short ones with bike shorts for kids activities and parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp bully will flame this but I have this in two colors and it’s wildly comfortable, and washes and dries in the machine, never wrinkles etc. I wear it with just slides if I’m casual farmers market type thing, or can dress it up a little with sandals with a heel and a necklace, and can do a wrap, open cardigan or a jean jacket if it’s cold. It’s the perfect travel dress.
https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-cotton-modal-jersey-surplice-fit-and-flare-dress/id_362111?attributes=44967,27697&source=GS¤cy=USD&geo=US&skumv=5799547&promotion-code=NFWHY37&promotion-pin=0&cm_mmc=139971612&SC=pla_non-brand&CMPGN=11383290717&ADGRP=140518349464&KYW=&MT=&DV=m&PID=5799547&TRGT=pla-295613136660&gclid=CjwKCAjw682TBhATEiwA9crl34Vh0j2nnwQKjqt2KaJqhOGRxL4Fk_2M4FjDW5WQxvXQgITbZrB1sxoCLHwQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAjw682TBhATEiwA9crl34Vh0j2nnwQKjqt2KaJqhOGRxL4Fk_2M4FjDW5WQxvXQgITbZrB1sxoCLHwQAvD_BwE&CH=Google%20AdWords&_cclid=Google_CjwKCAjw682TBhATEiwA9crl34Vh0j2nnwQKjqt2KaJqhOGRxL4Fk_2M4FjDW5WQxvXQgITbZrB1sxoCLHwQAvD_BwE

I love this!!

I have four of these in short and maxi that I bought over the years. Have worn the short ones with bike shorts for kids activities and parties.

PP in reference to the LE Aline sundress

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, a perfect summer dress for DC summer is one that:
- does not require a bra
- is made from a lightweight woven cotton or linen
- barely touches my body
- does not cover my shoulders, back, chest, knees

DC is so humid and hot in the summer that I want to feel as though I'm barely wearing anything when I go outdoors. I want maximum ventilation! I have a dress that I got ~10 years ago from the target discount rack for $6, that is a lightweight cotton spaghetti strap with a slightly structured bodice, just above the knee. It basically touches your body at the chest an no where else. I haven't been able to find anything like it since. I'm going to try to disassemble it and use it as a pattern to make a copy.

Rails has several dresses right now that basically fit this description, but they are well over the $100 mark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wear things like this (including this specific one) https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/daily-practice-by-anthropologie-utility-mini-dress?category=dresses-casual-everyday&color=001&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

with Chucks.

You wear a long-sleeved sweatshirt mini dress in the summer? Do you live in DC?

I thought the same thing. That dress looks sweltering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 42. My perfect summer dress is:

1. A light, 100% woven cotton, and NOT a knit jersey that get too hot, but mustn't be too see-through. If gauzy, it has to have a cotton lining at certain areas. Linings are often not cotton, so that reduced options.
2. It has cap sleeves or similar to protect my shoulders from the sun.
3. It has a waist because that's my best feature.
4. It goes down below the knee because I don't like my knees but not too long because it gets in the way when I walk the dogs.
5. It's a nice color or pattern.

Which is why I don't have a lot of summer dresses!

Kind of sounds like the christy dawn dress linked earlier on.

[Anonymous]

This dress is my dream. I ordered it on a whim, afraid it would be too shapeless, but it’s amazing. Super comfortable and flowy enough to keep me cool, but thick enough fabric that I don’t have to worry about a slip or certain underwear. Dresses up and down well. I have the green stripe and am going to buy the black as well. Size DOWN.

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/easy-t-shirt-midi-dress-black/sty-d0077-bla?cat=C1_S2_G4

[Anonymous]

This is (close) to 100 and super cute -

https://wearpact.com/women/apparel/dresses%20&%20s...our%20midi%20dress/wa1-wbm-svs

Ooh, I really like this and it's one I've been getting ads for even though I've never purchased anything from Pact. Maybe it's a sign.

Does anyone know how Pact sizing is? I'm worried that the small would be too large on top (I'm severely lacking in the boob area) , but I highly doubt that someone my not-that-small size (5'4, 115) wears an XS if that's the smallest size they make.

If anyone else has a flat, rectangular body like me, I recommend this boring but very flattering dress:

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/tie-waist-jersey-shirt-dress-navy/sty-j0887-nav

I'm always looking for something with a built in belt or a cinched waist. I can't do unstructured or dresses with tiers.