Simple Summer Dresses

When the days get hot and sticky, a woman wants a small collection of simple summer dresses at hand to keep her cool, comfortable and stylish even when sweating. For decades, a light and easy dress has been the outfit of choice for women, all summer long.

Just because a dress is simple doesn't mean it isn't fabulous.

Women living in warm climates often had to suffer through the summer days as slaves to fashion. While fabrics may have been lighter, the layers still meant some discomfort was to be expected. The idea of clothing as being practical began in the 19th century, and summer dresses were distinguished by being white and made of linen or a lightweight cotton or silk.

By the 1920s, the idea of the simple summer dress took hold and would only get stronger from there. Many of the summer dresses that were popular in that decade would not look out of place on the streets today. There is a reason styles of the 1920s tend to be revisited again and again, especially for summer clothes. A short-sleeved or sleeveless dress, knee-length and drop-waisted with an overall loose fit, is a perfect garment for a hot day. And whereas in the 1920s it would be worn with stockings, some foundation garments and a small brimmed cloche hat, in the modern era women can go bare-legged and top the dress with a wide-brimmed hat for full facial sun protection.

The need for simplicity, combined with practicality, continued through World War II but lost some ground in the 1950s. Women still wore great dresses, but many of them featured heavy construction and required stiff foundation garments to look their best. However, it was also an era of beautiful fabrics, which still distinguishes a lovely summer dress today.

Simplicity in clothing can take on whatever definition works best for you, but at no point does it have to mean something is plain or dull. A lack of fuss is not the same thing as a lack of style. What distinguishes a simple summer dress is its wearability and practicality. It is usually made of a cool, breathable fabric like cotton or linen – something that can wash easily and hang dry. It has a minimum of construction, which is not to say it won't be fitted. True, a classic sheath looks and feels great, but a sleeveless dress with a fitted bodice and A-line or circle skirt will also keep you cool while looking fabulous.

Simple summer dresses are simple because they come with a minimum of adornments, but that allows you to dress them up or down as the occasion dictates. A monochrome dress has a whole different look when worn with a lively necklace. In the evenings, you can add a jacket or cardigan to change the look yet again.

One of the best aspects of having a simple dress is that you can have a smaller wardrobe. During tough economic times, it's best to make smart clothing investments in just a few good items, easily accomplished with some basic wardrobe planning. Women used to wear the same few items throughout the summer, and there is no reason why you can't do the same. A light dress can be washed every night, hung out to dry and is ready to be worn again the next day. With a few different accessories, it becomes a different dress.

Although not many people have the luxury of time, some women are finding that a way to save money and yet have a varied wardrobe is to do some home sewing. While it can sound intimidating, a basic sheath dress is one of the easiest items to sew. Even a beginner can make this dress in less than a week, whereas an experienced sewer can finish it in hours. What better way to have a basic yet unique wardrobe?

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