30 Dresses That Are Perfect For A Summer Party
Hello warm weather, we've missed you!
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1. A floral maxi, because nothing screams summertime like a loose yet chic maxi dress. It'll drape comfortably, so even if you're standing in hot temps for a long time, you won't feel like you've got sweat dripping down your back.
Promising review: "Okay, I am in LOVE! This might be my favorite Amazon purchase EVER. It's the perfect length the winged sleeves are beautiful and far more comfortable than I thought it would be. I want this dress in ever pattern!" —TA
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in sizes XS-XXL and 21 styles).
2. A black-and-white shift dress that has pockets so you can go bag-free to happy hour. Traveling light is honestly one of the best and underrated feelings. Leave that heavy purse at home!
Promising review: "This is such a easy dress. It fits true to size and the pockets are a huge plus. I'm super pleased. The material is light and the sleeve flair is so unique." —SMCR24
Get it from ModCloth for $34.99 (originally $69, available in sizes 2XS–4X).
3. A casual T-shirt dress perfect for a backyard BBQ or night spent walking the boardwalk. You can dress it up with wedges or dress it down with sneakers.
4. A cap-sleeve lace dress to wear to your next formal event. It'll work for a summer wedding, and yes, you can totally dance in it all night long.
Promising review: "Definitely buy this dress! I ordered my usual size and it literally fit like it was made for me! The v-neck is sexy but very classy. The dress is on the shorter side, but since I'm kind of short it was perfect. It definitely looks just as good in person! I wore it to a wedding and got so many compliments on it." —Amazon User
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in sizes XS-2XL and five colors).
5. An embroidered floral dress so you can show off that summer tan. You've been looking a little pale all winter...now is finally your time to flaunt that sun-kissed skin.
Get it from Forever 21 for $29.90 (available in sizes S–L).
6. A ruffled, polkadot swing dress that'll give you that Insta-worthy shot you've been hoping for. Paired with sandals and a killer pair of shades, you'll be changing your profile picture faster than ever before.
7. A wrap dress, because we all need an easy go-to option for family gatherings and reunions. Something appropriate but cute, obviously.
8. An off-the-shoulder maxi dress with a slide slit, because we love a little leg action. It's a must-pack for a weekend getaway.
Promising review: "Super cute, stylish, and true to size. I like that it can be dressed up or down, although the slit on both sides does give it a more casual appearance. Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. Love it!" —Ali C.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and in nine colors).
9. A fit-and-flare T-shirt dress that's comfortable enough to wear while running errands, but can then be dressed up for an evening get-together.
Promising review: "I bought this dress to wear to the Phantom of the Opera, hoping it would not disappoint...and I now want to buy one in every color! This is probably the best dress I've ever bought. It is super comfortable, fits perfectly, is so pretty, and you can dress it up or wear it casually. I plan on buying the one in red plaid to wear for The Nutcracker this year!" —Kirsten Long
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in sizes XS–2XL and 45 styles).
10. A palm-print, cold-shouldered dress with fabric so soft, you'll ditch pants forever. It also washes super well, so don't fear throwing it in the washing machine. It'll come out silky smooth.
Promising review: "I was a little nervous about quality and fit with the price being so low. This does not disappoint. The fabric is nice and light for and the quality is good. You can't beat the price. This is perfect for a beach wedding or vacation." —alicia gaysek
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in sizes 0X–4X and 15 styles).
11. A bold printed dress, because bright color in the summer is a must. The shoulder tie straps are adjustable, so you'll get a snug fit every time.
Promising review: "Absolutely happy with it. Beautiful rust combo color, full skirt, lightweight, and can be worn throughout the year. The adjustable straps are a great feature, and the dress has a short lining/slip underneath. I would highly recommend this dress for any age group!" —Knowles
Get it from Free People for $168 (available in sizes XS–XL and three colors).
12. A bodycon dress that'll make date night that much more exciting. Why? Because you look fantastic and you know it.
Promising review: "I LOVE this dress. I wore it for a wedding and actually had someone buy it right there because of how great they thought it looked! Great buy and fit as expected." —Christina Cruz
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in sizes XS-2XL and in nine styles).
13. A jersey mock-neck dress so comfortable, it'll literally feel like you're wearing pajamas out. It'll make lounging by a bonfire that much more cozy.
Promising review: "This may become my new favorite dress! It is soft, silky, drapes well, has arm holes that don't show my bra, doesn't wrinkle (hello travel dress!), can be dressed up or down....what more can I say! Great quality and fit." —D. Tobin
Get it from Amazon for $24 (available in sizes XS-2XL and six colors).
14. A knit dress to give off the right amount of tropical vibes. It's also incredibly affordable, so while it won't break the bank, it will garner a ton of compliments.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this dress. I have worn it to both a wedding and to a work awards party and got a MILLION compliments on it both times." —Heather Whitaker
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and 23 styles).
15. A button-up dress that'll honestly just make you happy. It's so versatile, you can wear it anywhere. Even as a beach cover-up.
Promising review: "This is my new favorite dress! The fit is amazing, the length is perfect, and I love that the loops for the buttons are stretchy to allow a little give in the chest area. It’s a very thin, lightweight material perfect for spring and summer, and I definitely recommend washing by hand." —Justine
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in sizes XS–2XL and 29 styles).
16. A cold-shoulder dress for when you want to show some skin, but not too much skin. The hi-lo hem provides full coverage, even on windy days.
Get it from Torrid for $44.17 (originally $58.90, available in sizes M–6X).
17. A denim shirtdress to dress up with a pair of fabulous hoops. Or you can keep it casual with a pair of Converse. Sneakers and dresses are on the the best combos. Period.
Get it from Target for $29.99 (available in sizes X–4X).
18. A spaghetti-strap midi dress that'll have everyone asking where you got it from. And yes, your answer will be Amazon and everyone will gasp and it'll be a moment.
19. A V-neck dress to wear to a graduation. Just think about how cute this number will look under a cap and gown.
Promising review: "This dress looks so much more expensive than it is. The fabric is nice and thick and the pleats are beautiful! And the pockets....oh, how I love a dress with pockets!! The adjustable criss cross straps across the back are perfect for making the top as high or low as you'd like." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes XS–2XL and in 31 styles).
20. A knotted skater dress for everyday wear this summer. Lunch date? Check. Drinks on a friend's backyard deck? Check. Late night pizza run post bar hangout? Check.
Promising review: "Such a cute dress! I ordered a small (I'm usually a two-ish in dress sizes) and it fit perfectly. The back waistline has a sort of elastic material so it can very easily fit slightly more petite girls or those who would wear usually wear a medium. I also love that you can tie the back, which makes the sizing even more flexible!" —Penny Yang
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in sizes XS–L and six styles).
21. A fluttered-sleeve dress that I personally am obsessed with. The vintage-esque print is all too adorable. You'll feel like you just stepped out of a '90s classic.
Promising review: "Nice fit-and-flare dress for spring/summer. Dress it up with wedges or dress it casually with tennis shoes or sandals. Love it!" —TEBP
Get it from Madewell for $98 (available in sizes 00–14).
22. A ruffled dress with a neck tie that'll turn heads when you walk in the room. The lightweight and breathable fabric means you won't sweat your butt off, even in August.
Promising review: "What a beautiful dress! I bought this ruffle hem party dress for a day outing and as you can see in the pictures, it looked awesome. It doesn't stretch out at all or lose shape after wearing it for a long time or after washing. The tie-neck and short ruffle hem makes this dress even more special for special events." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes XS–XL and seven colors).
23. An A-line cap sleeve dress to wear to work and evening drinks, without having to worry about changing. It'll transition perfectly.
Promising review: "I bought this dress for a wedding and it did not disappoint! It's super nice and comfortable. It feels like a quality cotton with a bit of weight to it without being heavy. The material surprised me and I'm thrilled with my purchase. I'm large-chested and I had plenty of room. I would definitely buy again. If you are on the fence, I was too, but went ahead and bought it. I'm so glad I did! Many compliments were received." —Deb Holcomb
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes S–2XL and four styles).
24. A sequined, short sleeve dress you'll feel extra glam in because of its sparkle. A night out spent dancing in a club? Don't mind if you do...
Promising review: "I love this dress. I’m 5’8” so I was a little concerned about the length, but it was past my fingertips and I never had to worry about it coming up. It wasn’t itchy either, which I definitely expected to happen throughout the night. I was never uncomfortable and received tons of compliments. I also didn’t notice any shedding sequins! I definitely would recommend, especially for the price." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $24.47+ (available in sizes XS–2XL and 10 styles).
25. A backless cocktail dress that'll let you bare some skin up top, but still get coverage on the bottom. And if you're ever feeling a bit chilly, you can always layer it with a jean jacket.
Promising review: "I was super skeptical about buying a dress online. But where I live cute dresses are hard to come by without paying a ton of money. I shopped around for hours and I came across this dress. It fits so well. It’s very classy and just overall gorgeous. You feel so fancy. I really love this dress." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in sizes XS–XL and nine colors).
26. A high-slit wrap dress so you can show off some leg when desired. It's incredibly comfortable on and is just dying to be packed for your summer vacay.
Promising review: "This dress is beautiful. The fabric is so soft and comfortable! It felt like wearing pajamas. I think you could easily dress this up with accessories for a fancier look or keep it more casual. I'm considering wearing this to a wedding this month with some long silver necklaces and maybe a different belt and some cute shoes." —cobalt1
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and three colors).
27. A button-up dress with a center peek-a-boo. Pair with a floppy hat and you'll be summer soiree-ready.
Promising review: "Loveeeee this dress! Fit perfectly. Adjustable straps, stretchy back, and tie front make for a more 'customizable fit,' which is great when ordering online. Definitely have some leeway in either direction. Material is comfortable and thick enough. I was worried about not wearing a bra and the top showing nips, but it does not! Perfect sun dress." —Lyndie C.
Get it from Amazon for $10.36+ (available in sizes S–XL and 22 styles).
28. A bodycon mini dress with a belt for cocktail parties. Matched with the right jewelry, it'll scream glam.
Promising review: "This dress is wonderful looking and wonderful to wear. It hugs and lays beautifully, achieving a very handsome bodycon-effect (as promised). The long sleeves allow me to wear this dress year-round. The material has a slight shimmer to it that makes it great as a cocktail ensemble. Very nice when you add patent leather accessories and shiny beads and baubles." —William M. Glass
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in XL–4X and seven styles).
29. A scalloped-edge dress all of your friends will want to borrow. Whether you actually lend it is up to you.
Promising review: "Just got this beautiful dress delivered! I am giving it five stars because everything is great about this dress! The fit and shape define your body very well, and the A-line cut makes it look neat and perfect for office wear." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in sixes S–2XL and six colors).
30. A rainbow-adorned dress that'll brighten any rainy summer day. The A-line structure is exactly the type of casual and comfortable mixture your wardrobe is looking for.
Get it from ModCloth for $65 (available in sizes XXS–4X and two prints).
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