5 Dress Styles I Absolutely Love for Spring and Summer

Dress season is upon us! It's that time of the year when sleeveless dresses, linen dresses, maxi dresses, flowy dresses, shirt dresses, and more all come into focus. I love a dress year-round, but especially during the warmer seasons because there are so many options to play with. Here are five dress styles that I absolutely love for Spring and Summer.

1. A Linen Shirtdress

Okay, let me disclose right away that I'm a total sucker for a good shirtdress! I have a good number of them, and am always on the lookout for the next one to add to my collection. I am partial to midi and maxi shirtdresses because I find them versatile and easy to wear as part of casual weekend outfits, or work outfits. On the material front, I have seen shirtdresses in just about every type of fabric, the light ones and the more substantial ones; however in the Spring and Summer, my preference is a linen shirtdress.

Dress: Calvin Klein via Nordstrom (similar here) | Sneakers: Coach (similar here or here) | Belt: via Amazon | Tote: Banana Republic (similar here or here) | Sunglasses: via Amazon | Earrings: Jennifer Zeuner

This light beige linen shirtdress is as breezy as it looks! And it checks a lot of my style preference boxes: cap sleeves, long length, quality material, assorted sash belt (even if I typically replace those with a leather belt!). One way to style this shirtdress is to pair it with sneakers, a wide leather belt, and a large leather tote for an easy weekend outfit.

Dress: Calvin Klein via Nordstrom | Jeans: Target | Heels: Sam Edelman (similar here or here) | Belt: old (similar here) | Bag: via Etsy | Sunglasses: via Amazon | Earrings: Jennifer Zeuner

Another look that works well with this Calvin Klein shirtdress is to pair it with jeans. Shirtdresses are a great way to give blue jeans a flowy and sophisticated vibe.

Spring and Summer are the perfect time to incorporate bold color in your wardrobe and this colorful orange midi shirtdress is an effortless way to do so. I love the convenient popover design, the functional side slits, and the safari-style pockets. Those give the dress a stylish utilitarian vibe! For this look, I went for a bold monochromatic palette by pairing the dress with a matching leather belt and matching leather strappy mules. To add a luxe touch, I added a metallic gold handbag and chunky gold earrings. This elevated casual dress outfit can be worn as a daytime event dress outfit or a work dress outfit (with a work tote). A shirtdress like this can also be worn with sneakers and a tote as a weekend outfit, or worn as a colorful cover-up on your beach vacation. 

2. A (Maxi) Full Dress

Dress season is also twirl season! And twirling is best achieved with a full dress. Full dresses typically have a fitted bodice and a full, flowy skirt that allows for easy movement. For the Spring and Summer, I prefer a sleeveless full dress in a lightweight breathable fabric such as cotton or linen. When it comes to styling, full dresses are a great choice for effortless casual outfits.

One easy way to style a full dress is to pair it with a wide belt, flat sandals, and a large bag. Straw tote bags are my go-to during this time of the year. A black full maxi dress is a true multitasker and can be worn casually as part of a weekend dress outfit, a picnic dress outfit, or even a vacation dress.

Dress: via Macy's | Sandals: Coach (similar here) | Bag: via Gilt | Sunglasses: via Amazon 

If you want to elevate your full dress to wedding-guest-outfit level or cocktail-party-dress-outfit level, I suggest pairing it with a streamlined leather waist belt and dressy pumps or strappy sandals.  

This black maxi dress is versatile and a perfect choice for Spring and Summer thanks to its soft cotton material, the ruffled sleeve details, and the lower-cut round neckline. I also love just how full it is! Perfect for twirling if that's your thing 😃 And whether you go for a casual brunch outfit, or a dressy special occasion look, adding a belt to a full dress is a stylish way to accentuate the fit-and-flare silhouette. This dress fits true to size and is definitely tall-girl friendly. I am wearing a size 8.

3. A Ruffle Dress

It doesn't get more feminine than a dress with some ruffle details. Ruffles add a delightful touch to Spring and Summer dresses. Whether they cascade down the neckline, trim the hem, or embellish sleeves, ruffles evoke a sense of romance and playfulness. Ruffles also create visual interest and add movement to an outfit. Different dress styles come with different types of ruffles. Some dresses have minimal ruffle detail, others have statement-making, voluminous ruffles. All are a go, depending on the occasion. For daytime and casual wear, I like the smaller ruffles. For special occasions, I'd say big ruffles are the way to go. 

Dress: via Macy's (similar here or here) | Strappy Sandals: Nine West | Earrings: via Etsy | Sunglasses: Chloe

This green ruffle dress caught my attention thanks to its minimal yet distinctive ruffle details, its vibrant Kelly green color, and its playful asymmetrical neckline. I also love that it comes with an assorted sash belt and is made of cotton which makes it super comfy in hot weather. A colorful ruffle dress such as this one is a great choice for Summer daytime parties, weddings, and even Sunday brunch. For this daytime party look, I styled it simply with matching green strappy sandals and gold accessories. Ruffles alone are like an accessory to a garment so best to not overwhelm the look with too much jewelry or extras.  

4. An Eyelet Dress

The way I see it, an eyelet piece is a must-have for the warmer seasons, especially for Summer. Eyelet is typically made of cotton and is characterized by small patterns and open work. The appeal of eyelet during the warm season is primarily its breathability. Who wants to smolder themselves in heavy, synthetic fabrics when it's hot? Not me! Eyelet is usually seen in tops and dresses. In this post, I talked about how to pair an eyelet top with jeans. When it comes to dresses, eyelet is a good choice for effortless Summer style.

Dress: via Macy's (similar here) | Sandals: Franco Sarto | Straw bag: Target | Belt: old (similar here)

This eyelet dress is simple without being too plain, just like I like it! I think eyelet clothing should be simple as packing too much detail on eyelet fabric can result in a frumpy piece. This tiered maxi dress has an off-shoulder neckline and pockets. Those are a big deal for me when it comes to purchasing dresses. My hands need a place to rest from time to time! As always, I'm gonna judge a dress by how tall-girl friendly it is, and this one definitely hits the mark. It's a casual and feminine dress that looks best when styled casually with raffia straw flat sandals, a straw Summer tote, and a belt. An eyelet dress like this one is definitely vacation-dress-outfit appropriate and great for casual weekend outings.

5. A Pleated Dress

I am sure we can all agree that pleated skirts are a year-round wardrobe staple. But what about pleated dresses? In my opinion, those also deserve the staple status. Pleats are an effortless and classic way to add texture to an otherwise simple dress silhouette. Pleated dresses typically have a dressier, more polished vibe that makes them a great pick for Spring Summer workwear and special event outfits. Pleated dresses also feature lightweight fabrics that are comfortable to wear on hot days.