Sundresses are the sartorial harbingers of true summer. When it gets hot, we reach for them because they make us feel cool, and they make us look good while doing so. But most of all, we wear sundresses to coax the sun gods on. We crave the sun, and dress for it.
It should be said that a ‘sundress’ is not the same thing as a ‘summer dress.’ The latter can mean almost anything — from a come-hither white slip to a flamenco. All are fantastic. But FYI, if someone tells you that they have a great “summer dress,” just understand, it probably isn’t the same as what I’m talking about here.
A sundress is something that makes you feel comfy but just a little bit sexy, casual and cool at the same time.
Here are my top picks:
Set the scene with the Finer Things printed Midi Dress ($128 on freepeople.com) — I especially love it in the Ivory Combo print. It’s a beautiful standout with bright and gorgeous petal printing, craftsmanship, and also exceptional detailing.
It’s hard to imagine that some of the toniest runway brands out there are being eclipsed by a design as simple but as fetching as the Isa Cotton-Silk Dress ($190 on bananarepublic.gap.com). But it’s true: Banana Republic’s softly structured and beautifully flowing fit-and-flare hit is earning big fans, one poolside at a time.
Is there any space in this lineup for a leopard sundress? You bet your overpriced sunnies, there is. But it doesn’t have to set you back an entire weeks’ paycheck. The Women’s Leopard Plunging Neck Lace Up Maxi Slip Dress ($32.99 on target.com) is both a snazzy classic and an elegant surprise to wear under a denim jacket.
And sometimes something just simple, pretty, and blue is what the situation demands. Like the Blue Katama Tile Sconset Maxi Dress ($228 on vineyardvines.com), with adjustable straps, a crisscross back, and a tiered skirt — all of which add up to an ultra-flattering frock, and a terrific summer.
