Summer Dresses

Styles of Summer Dresses

Prior to the 1920s, it was unheard of for a woman of any class to wear a sleeveless dress. But after World War I, styles changed drastically and women’s fashion crossed the Rubicon, with hems rising to the knee and evening dresses baring shoulders. During the day, a dress would be slightly more modest, but summer dresses were looser and more comfortable than they had ever been.

The Sleeveless Dress

The sleeveless dress, often with wide straps, a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt has been the mainstay of summer fashion for women in some variation or other since the 1920s. No wonder – it is comfortable, practical and pretty. Because it is sleeveless, it is easier to keep clean. A cotton dress could be hand-washed, hung up and worn again the next day. A simple sleeveless or halter dress can easily go from day wear to evening wear with a few accessories. If you want to hold down your spending, you really only need one or two good dresses to get you through the summer.

The Shift Dress

For women who don’t want a fitted dress, a shift dress is also perfect for summer. Popular since the late 1950s, a slim but loose shift dress in a bold pattern such as stripes or florals looks great while keeping you cool. Pair it with a big hat and cute sandals and you’re ready for the heat and the humidity.

Empire Waist Dresses

If you want something slightly in between, an empire-waist dress, either with or without sleeves or straps, is a lively dress any time of year. In summer, a lightweight empire mini-dress over short leggings or jeans is a great look that combines cute and casual.

The Best Fabrics

Traditionally, a summer dress was made of linen, muslin or silk – light and natural fabrics that breathe well and have nice flow. True, linen does wrinkle terribly, but it also holds its shape and keeps you nice and cool. These days, you’re more likely to find cotton or even hemp rather than muslin or silk, except for a more expensive party dress. This is a shame, because organic silk is one of the best fabrics there is to wear in summer, as it breathes, flows and remains cool to the touch, besides looking beautiful.

If you don’t want to wrinkle too much, 100% cotton is usually your best bet. Not all cotton is created equal. Preferably, you want organic cotton, but this can be harder to find. However, a cotton that is supple and soft will feel nice against your skin and keep you comfortable, as well as hold its shape – great for a wider skirt.

Since the advent of man made fabrics in the 1960s, many summer dresses have been made of rayon or polyester. These fabrics certainly don’t wrinkle or fade as readily as a natural fabric, and they are easy to take care of, but it’s best to steer clear of them in a summer dress. They don’t breathe, so you will defeat the purpose of keeping comfortable while looking great.

Caring for Your Dresses

While most women have a few dresses in their wardrobe these days, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to maintain their dresses for a few seasons. A summer dress that becomes soaked with sweat easily goes limp and needs regular washing. It’ll last longest and best if you hand wash it after wearing in a gentle liquid detergent, roll it up in a towel and then hang it out to dry. That will keep your dress looking perfect all summer long – and next summer, too.