I’ve discovered a newfound love for dresses this summer. I went through a lengthy period where dresses and skirts weren’t really my thing, but this year I’ve embraced them more than I have in years. Summer dresses are a wonderful way to stay cool but still look polished. And regardless of your personal style, it can be easy to find one that suits your lifestyle. Whether you like mini or maxi length, bold colors or neutrals, I’ve done the footwork to find something that might just work for you. Let’s go shopping!
Pick Your Length: Mini, Midi And Maxi Summer Dresses
I like to have a selection of different dress lengths to choose from in my closet. Lately, most of my selections have been midi or maxi length, but I do have a handful of mini dresses that I still like to grab now and then.
YES! I LOOK FORWARD TO #GROWINGYOUNGER
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE ME TO YOUR MAILING LIST.
Mini Dresses
I found this pretty and feminine ruffled floral mini dress. You can finish this look by adding a pair of brown slide sandals and some delicate gold earrings. If you like something more subtle, you can try this short sleeve shirt dress. It comes in crisp white and basic black, so I’d advise picking up both and these will be your closet staples for the rest of the season.
Midi Dresses
I’ve been loading up my closet with midi length dresses. They seem to be the most popular length these days, so they are pretty easy to find in a multitude of styles. When searching options for this post, one of the first pieces that I found was this tie-wrap midi dress. I love the bold stripe and the tie at the waist creates an illusion of an hourglass shape (for those of us that don’t have many curves). If you want a simpler option and still prefer the midi length, I like this cotton belted midi shirtdress. My favorite color is the navy, but it also comes in a beautiful orchid color and a floral print.
Maxi Dresses
If you love maxi length dresses, this sleeveless sundress from Amazon is the perfect option to stock up on. It comes in so many colors you can have them on constant rotation throughout the summer. I personally love the black and white bold printed color and the green apple color. With linen being so popular in the summer months and incredibly trendy this season, you can try this 100% linen tiered maxi dress. This is one that I would definitely wear over and over again. This would pair well with low profile sneakers or your favorite summer sandals.
Bold And Neutral Summer Dresses
Another way to have some variety in your summer dress options is to try a mixture of prints and patterns as well as some neutral styles.
Bold Prints
I’ve been partial to bold print dresses this year and found quite a few to choose from. One of my favorites that I found was this abstract print V-neck dress. This is a little dressier and would be perfect for a night out or a wedding guest dress. Pair this with suede black strappy heels and fun gold jewelry and your outfit is complete. I also really loved the pattern and color on this square neck belted midi dress. This is a good one to wear to work paired with a cardigan and heeled sandals if you work in an office or with some leather thong sandals if you are in a more casual environment.
Neutral Dresses
Finally, if you like your dresses simple and understated, meaning you gravitate toward neutral colors, I found a few that you may like to try for the season. First is this pique shirt dress from Zara. The intricate detail in the gold buttons is beautiful and the side draping detail to give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette. I personally love the beige color, but the white option is also an excellent choice for the summer months.
If you want something that is a little more forgiving in the fit, try this gauze maxi dress from Old Navy. It comes in a few assorted colors, mostly neutral shades but also in some bolder colors. The gauze cotton fabric is light, breezy, and perfect for a hot summer day.
Summer Dresses Expert Style Tips
- Don’t be afraid to mix it up. There are options for any style preference in this post. So don’t be afraid to dabble in all of them. I know it can be easy to find a style you like and stick with it, but don’t fall in that style rut. Try all different lengths, colors and silhouettes to keep your wardrobe interesting and fun!
- Keep your shoes simple. Almost all of these dress options can be paired with a leather sandal in brown or black. So, if you like a strappy gladiator style or slides or anything in between, it may be a good idea to invest in a top-notch pair so you can wear them comfortably all summer with your summer dresses.
- Shop high-low. As you build your assortment of dresses, take into consideration which styles you think you want to be mainstays in your closet and which ones you just want to try for seasonal fun. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more on those styles that you’d like to wear year after year. And for the ones you know will likely be one and done for the season, it’s perfectly OK to penny pinch.
Shop Summer Dresses 2025
Mini
Francesca’s Alexis Ruffled Floral Mini Dress, $28
Old Navy Short-Sleeve Shirt Dress, $30.99
Midi
Express Linen-Blend Striped Tie Wrap Midi Dress, $88
On 34th Women’s Cotton Belted Midi Shirtdress, now $47.70
Maxi
Wolddress Womens Casual Sleeveless Sundress, $29.99
Quince 100% European Linen Tiered Maxi Dress, $79.90
Bold Print
Vince Camuto Woven Abstract Print V-Neck Sleeveless Printed Midi Dress, $109
Donna Karan Women’s Square-Neck Buckled Sleeveless Midi Dress, $179
Neutral
Zara Pique Shirt Dress $49.90
Old Navy Fit & Flare Crinkle Gauze Maxi Dress, $30.99
Do you love to wear dresses in summer? What’s your favorite style?
– Carmen Turner
You may also like to read more of Carmen’s posts like Bold Spring Fashion Color Trend: How To Wear Orangeade and Summer Fashion Must-Have: How to Style the Voluminous Pants Trend.
This post contains affiliate links which may give us a commission at no additional cost to you.
Are you following Fountain Of 30 on Facebook, X, Instagram and Pinterest? We’ve got lots going on, so join in on the fun! Subscribe to our newsletter here. You don’t want to miss a post and promise not to bug you to death. Join our Facebook Group called Growing Younger where women discuss everything good and bad about being over 50. Additionally Lauren hosts a bi-weekly podcast called Beauty is a Bitch!
Please pin!
