We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. An off-the-shoulder dress with a gorgeously detailed scalloped hem for a modern-meets-vintage look that will have you hosting picnics in the park every other week just so you have an excuse to try *all* your favorite accessories with it.
Promising review: "I always get nervous when purchasing clothing on Amazon, but was very happy with this purchase. The material is a decent weight and the cutouts at the bottom of the dress are done nicely. I'm 5'5" and the dress hits just above my knees. I don't like my clothes tight, so purchased a 3X. It's loose and flowy and hangs just right. Overall, I'm very happy with the dress. I would go a size up depending on your shape and how you like your clothes to hang." —Kathryn Mathewson
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in sizes 0X–4X and 16 styles).
2. A simple bodycon tank dress you can pair with so! many! sweaters and accessories! that you'll style it in entirely new ways every week. Reviewers also love this dress for the thickness and stretch of the fabric.
Promising review: "Fits perfectly! I was surprised by how nice it feels. It's not see-through at all, which is great! I'm ordering additional colors. Nice summer dress. Pairs well with sandals as well as white tennis shoes and a jean jacket." —mssmtaylor
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in sizes S–XL and 37 colors).
3. An embroidered dress with flutter sleeves to make you feel like a lil' fairy woodland creature when the autumn breezes start to blow.
I bought this dress as a birthday present to myself (mood) and I love love love it. (That is me in the white version of the dress above, making my little sister take my picture, as one does.) It's so flowy and comfortable and the embroidery on it is vibrant and great quality. My favorite thing about it, though, is it pairs beautifully with pretty much every pair of boots I own, from Chelsea boots to cowboy boots (of which I have...perhaps too many). And the rich colors in the embroidery make it SUPER easy to accessorize or pair a jacket with.
Promising review: "9/10. It is so much cuter in person than I expected. I sized up because I wanted to be sure it would be long enough to be work appropriate and not be snug on me. Would be cute belted also I think. Can be layered and worn with boots in the fall. Very nice transitional piece. Not quite Free People quality but pretty close!" —Meaghan
Get it from Amazon for $16.45+ (available in sizes S–2X and six styles).
4. A pastel maxi dress with sweet puff sleeves you can wear on and off the shoulder and feel like you just stepped out of a storybook page every time you leave the house.
Promising review: "Ethereally beautiful!! This dress is absolutely LOVELY. It’s so lightweight, breezy, and comfortable. It fits perfectly, and the bodice has plenty of stretch so if you’re in between sizes, you could go either way. I actually sized down because I wanted to wear it on the shoulders and didn’t want the sleeves slipping off, but I didn’t have an issue with that at all. It’s wrinkly when it arrives, but a quick steam makes it look so much nicer and more expensive than it is. I got the sage-green color and it’s not see-through; it’s beautiful. (I actually returned it in favor of a color I thought I’d wear more, but if green is your fave then you’ll love it). Get this dress!" —Laura
Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in sizes XS–XL and in nine colors).
5. Plus the pastel mini dress version of it if your level of "frolic" demands a little more room to skip up a hill while singing your little cottagecore heart out.
Promising review: "THIS DRESS IS BEAUTIFUL. Easily the best-fitting dress I’ve ever had. The ruched part is thick so it helps hold my strapless bra up! But if you’re small chested you could probably go braless because it is thick!! Perfect length. And it’s lined! I’m obsessed — I’ve literally never done a review with a pic before but I had to as this dress is sooooo worth the money and doesn’t have the hype it deserves. Really nice quality. I’m legit going to order every color." —Erin Ernst
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and seven styles).
6. A tiered swing dress with subtle balloon sleeves for all those afternoons you're like, "Let's go out to frolic in the park, and by frolic, I mean take lots of cute pictures in the park."
Psst — reviewers love this dress, but recommend sizing down if you're in between sizes!
Promising review: "This dress is absolute perfection! I purchased for a Texas game day brunch — good burnt orange is hard to come by. The fit was impeccable — flowy without looking ill-fitting, and hit me just above the knee. I wore with cowboy boots and loved that I could chase my toddler around while still looking cute in this dress. The fabric is just thick enough to lay smooth and not cling while not being heavy. Not see-through at all. The balloon sleeves are EVERYTHING. Going to buy in more colors right now!" —FitGirlInFlight
Get it from Amazon for $17.98+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 28 styles).
7. A linen apron dress so uniquely tailor-made to your specifications that you can send them your measurements *and* choose from 36 different color and fabric types to get your most perfect fit.
LelaSilk is based a Vietnam-based Etsy shop established in 2017 that specializes in handmade clothing designed by a team of local artisans.
Promising review: "Absolutely gorgeous! Fits so well, and there are different buttons sewn into the dress to help adjust the size. I'm in love with this dress. I'd wear it every day if I could." —Laura B
Get it from LelaSilk on Etsy for $109+ (available in sizes XXS–XXL or custom sizing, as well as 36 colors).
Psst — this item ships for free!
8. A mini floral dress so cute that it may just, by sheer force of will, manifest a future wherein you own a little cottage nested between the sea at the edge of an overgrown woods. (Might have to try it on just to check!!)
Get it from Madewell for $84 (originally $108; available in sizes XXS–XXL).
9. A floral-print puff-sleeve dress you can wear on *or* off the shoulder, making it so versatile that OOPS, you may just need one for every single day of the week. TBH, it's this Nap Dress dupe's world and we're all just vibing in it.
Promising review: "So happy with my purchase! I received many compliments when wearing this dress and it makes sense, because it’s lovely! It’s super comfortable, too. It’s beautiful to wear out but also comfortable enough to wear around the house. It’s just as beautiful on the shoulder, though I prefer it off, but the great thing is that it stays put whichever way you should choose to wear it. I highly recommend it!" —Melanie Grace
Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and eight styles).
10. A smocked fluttery-sleeve maxi dress so cute that the minute you try it on, you'll become That Person in the group chat setting up the next hang just so you have bountiful opportunities to show it off. Bonus: This one comes with POCKETS.
Promising review: "This summer dress is a must have! I must have worn it at least once a week all summer long. It’s so comfortable and the material is breathable, even on humid days. The pockets are ideal and the flutter-cap sleeves couldn’t be cuter. I ordered a large for just a little better wiggle room and glad I did because it fits perfectly. I wore it with white sneakers, sandals, and espadrilles so it’s very versatile." —Nikki Scott
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in sizes 4–10 and six styles).
11. A super-lightweight gingham puff-sleeve dress that will probably earn you a one-way ticket to either BreadTok (i.e., where you watch attractive strangers press flowers into freshly baked bread and live vicariously through them) or into a live-action Disney movie.
I own this dress in pink and I am quite frankly *obsessed* with it. It felt like a bit of a risk because only two other reviewers had tried it when I bought it, but boy howdy was it worth it! This is very lightweight, supremely comfortable, and gives off just the right amount of whimsy without seeming too out of place. (I did, in my Main Character Moment, take it to Central Park to read, and can attest that it gave me some rom-com heroine energy I am still feeding off a week later.) I will warn that it's a *tad* thinner than I thought in that I definitely had to pair it with flesh-toned underwear, but it's not see-through. Overall, very well-constructed, comfy, easy to slip on and off, and perfect for hot weather.
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in sizes S–XL and five colors).
12. A tank dress (with POCKETS!!) you'll be especially grateful for both in the high-temp summer weather *and* when you can pair it with some cute denim in the fall.
Promising review: "This dress is so simple and versatile...I bought four! I wear it around the house almost like a house dress or lounging wear, around town, over a bathing suit, and even to bed. It is really comfortable. As far as fit goes, it is the smallest bit too low in the bust. I do find that I am pulling it up in the chest in public, which I’ve remedied with a bralette underneath. I ordered a medium. A medium fits looser and natural, how I like, but I could probably fit into a small if I wanted a snugger fit, which might remedy the looser bust. The silhouette of the dress is a loose hourglass shape with a baggier hip and room in the gut. I love it!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in sizes XS–4XL and in 37 styles).
13. An off-the-shoulder smock dress with a cute side slit you can get in a ton of adorable prints, all of which subtly say to the world, "Yes, I am the main character on this street today, and you will acknowledge me as such."
Promising review: "Bought this for our couples beach photo session in Oahu and it was PERFECT!!! I received endless compliments whenever I’ve worn this: to dinner, the farmers market, shopping…anywhere and everywhere! The sleeves stay in place and don’t ride up or fall down, very flowy. Buy two!!! You won’t regret it! :)" —Christi
Get it from Amazon for $28.99 (available in sizes XS–3X and 23 styles).
14. A halter-neck sundress you can pair with a chic pair of sunglasses and take out on the town like the local micro-celeb that you are (your neighbors could NEVER).
Promising review: "This purchase completely exceeded my expectations. Dress is well made and SOFT. It’s also has a slip underneath, which is awesome — no fear of undies showing! Waist is elastic. Comes with a detachable belt so it can be worn with or without." —MsMGR
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 28 colors).
15. A versatile tunic maxi dress you can get in so many cute colors and prints that you might wanna preemptively add some new hangers to your cart so you can fit 'em all in your closet.
Promising review: "This actually fit very well. It can be dressed up with accessories or worn casual. The quality of the material was nice and the fabric allows your skin to breathe. I wish this same dress came with a V-neck." —jacqui k
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in sizes L–4X and 16 styles).