Dresses in red, white and blue, respectively, from designer Sandy Liang, Zara/ Massimo Dutti and Tuckernuck.
By Janet Kelly
FOR SOMEONE who writes about fashion, it’s kind of sad that my summer dresses spark little joy. Oh, wait, I do own a jersey shift with an abstract print on the front (from Agnes b.) that I like, although it’s getting a little long of tooth. As for the season itself, it’s more wane than wax at this point, but there’s still warm weather to come, which means barbecues, weddings; birthday parties, et cetera, to attend.
Lately I’ve been thinking about what I wish for in a summer dress. Comfort and easy maintenance top the list as does fit; a breathable fabric is key in hot weather, and a midi or a tea is my preferred length. Pockets are most appreciated.
Below I’ve found eight I’d be happy to wear these last few weeks of summer and some right into fall.
A waist-cinching belt, full-ish skirt and three-quarter sleeves add up to a winning silhouette, and the heavier linen fabric extends its wearability into fall. The Vittoria Dress from Rails sells for $268.
I wrote about this Frank & Eileen lean and long shirt dress ($328) in blue back in May. I like it even a little better, for late summer, in pale peach.
You don’t have to love linen to like this boho dress ($550, Shopbop). You could wear it over a bathing suit, but why not show it off at a fall cocktail party?
Even though it’s a tad longer than my preferred length, the fluttery sleeves, flowy skirt and ikat pattern make it the dress I’d want to wear on my end-of-summer vacation (if I were going on one). It sells for $315 at Tuckernuck.
I debated whether to include this Sandy Liang “sailor” dress ($495, Nordstrom) with it oversized, lace-trimmed collar. Too gamine, too sweet, you say? Counter that vibe with a leather moto jacket in the fall.
A cover-up dress in breezy gauze that can go from the beach/lake/pool to lunch beyond the water is one I can get behind. Because of the color, I’m thinking it’s less see-through than, say, one in white. No pockets, but it’s a wallet-friendly $79 at L.L. Bean.
This long linen dress exemplifies the beauty of simple lines. It’s pricey—$199—for Massimo Dutti, that is, but worth the statement it makes.
Ohhh, the Massimo Dutti dress. Sexy, and linen. Who could ask for anything more?
Janet
I am tired of all the maxi dresses – none can be worn by anyone under 5’7”! By the time you shorten them so you are not tripping on them you have ruined the hemline and paid a fortune!
Please do a column on transitional dresses that aren’t for only tall women!
There are not so many knee-length dresses out there–at least that I’ve seen. But I hear you and I’ll do a column for early fall.
The Vittoria dress! Yes! And at $268 the price is right.
Yes, good choice!!