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A cool ocean breeze is probably the ideal way to beat the summer heat, but for those of you surrounded by smoldering concrete—not idyllic water—sundresses for women are here to help. There’s a reason these airy pieces are a hero of warm-weather dressing: Equal parts effortless and elegant, sundresses for women—which are mostly made from lightweight cotton or linen—are uniquely suited to keeping you cool on the hottest days of the year.
Their easygoing silhouettes (whether in mini, midi, or maxi form) also solve one of the biggest challenges of dressing in the heat. You don’t need much else to feel put-together—just grab a cute beach bag, slip into some suede Birkenstock sandals, and push your shades onto your head. Oh, and don’t forget the hat—or your SPF.
With July 4th around the corner, your closet is probably already stacked with all your favorite summer clothes. Of course, if you’re still in the market for a cute dress for summer—there are some really good 4th of July clothing sales happening right now, FYI—scroll down to shop some of our favorite summer sundresses, including an embroidered linen shirtdress that’s perfect for wearing to the office and a one-shoulder number that wouldn’t feel out of place at a garden wedding.
Midi Sundresses
Not so hot take: Some of the best dresses are midi dresses. Endlessly wearable, these calf-length styles (or sometimes ankle-length, if you’re petite) provide enough coverage for work or dinner settings without overwhelming you in fabric. Their cropped length is also perfect to show off your favorite summer shoes.
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Mini Sundresses
If you’re a mini-or-bust kind of person in the heat, take a look at some of these beauties. There are cutout swing dresses, spaghetti-strap slips, elevated babydoll styles, and sleeveless A-line dresses with smocked details. No need to keep things neutral either—these short dresses are all about vibrant solid colors and prints.
Maxi Sundresses
What with their floaty fabrics and floor-grazing hems, there’s something so freeing about slipping into a maxi dress. While some flowy dresses can read too beachy or boho, there are plenty of long dresses you can wear out and about in the city. A few favorites include Dôen’s short-sleeve crochet and cotton eyelet dress, which is the ideal sundress in our book: It’s made to last and looks and feels weightless on, plus it can be thrown over a bikini as a cover-up or styled with barely there sandals for an alfresco aperitivo at your favorite restaurant. Farm Rio’s floral print dress is also a great option for an outdoor wedding—it’s not too fussy, but it’s also not your textbook beach dress.
