With the warmer months and summer coming around, it is time to put away your coats and jerseys and bring out the fresh and fun summer dresses. If you have never owned one before, or want a new one for a particular occasion like a family picnic or get-together, here is everything you need to know about the world of summer dresses.
Sundress
The most common and versatile type of summer dress is the sundress. Not only can you find them in many colours and patterns, but they are ideal for almost any occasion in the warmer months.
For a picnic, you can pair it up with some wedges or sandals, something casual and comfortable like Melissa fisherman sandals works perfectly. For a more formal event, you can wear heels; and for a day at the pool or beach, you can go barefoot.
Cover-up dress
When it comes to women’s dresses, there is arguably no more useful one than a cover-up dress. While they often can’t be as formal as other dresses on this list, they are still perfect for those hot days and the ones you spend poolside.
Designed to be worn over a swimsuit, they are perfect for almost every body type and are great for getting the “dressed up” summer look in seconds.
Maxi dress
The maxi dress is the choice for those who want to look dressed up as much as possible throughout the warmer months. Not only are they very chic, but they are also easy to wear and style.
They are another dress style that suits almost any body type, and once again, they come in such a wide range of colours and patterns, you are sure to find one that suits your style and taste.
Wrap dress
The wrap dress is another summer essential, perfect for a night in the town or office. They come in both knee and full-length, with the wrapped part of the dress allowing the wearer to create a flattering silhouette.
You can get wrap dresses in two lengths, making them ideal for day and nighttime activities and events.
Backless dress
If you want something slightly more risque but still fall into the category of a summer dress that is fit for family picnics and events, you can opt for a backless dress. Not only do they offer a great twist on a traditional summer dress, but they add that extra oomph to any look.
They are also ideal for a night on the town or date night and will leave you feeling incredibly relaxed and comfortable, with a touch of simple and elegant sexiness that is difficult to match.
How to pick the perfect summer dress
While there are no hard and fast rules when picking a summer dress, there are a few things to remember to ensure you choose the right one for you.
Fit
When it comes to fit, there is usually a lot of leeway. The one thing to remember is that you are going to be wearing this dress when it is hot; therefore, you don’t want something that sticks to your body and is suffocating.
While most summer dresses are designed to be a bit loose, depending on the style, you can choose one that is a size bigger than you would usually wear.
Colour
When selecting a colour, it almost entirely depends on what you like and does not like. Since a summer dress is typically something you wear on its own, along with a pair of shoes, you can be a lot more experimental concerning colour and pattern.
Material
Regarding choosing a dress material, there is only one correct choice; cotton. As mentioned above, you want something that is loose-fitting, comfortable, and breathable; no material does all of this better than cotton.
Simple or bright?
The last thing you need to do is decide if this dress will be the focal point of your outfit or something more simple that is accentuated with accessories. While this isn’t a concern for some, it is a question the more “fashion-forward” people out there ask.
If you want it to be the focal point, choose something bright, colourful, and eye-catching. You can also use one or two dresses like this to create a summer capsule wardrobe. Choose a neutral colour with no pattern if you want it to be more reserved.
This summer, there is no need to be caught lacking in the summer dress department. Using all the tips and information above, you are guaranteed to be the best dressed at the next family picnic or event and stay cool, calm, and collected throughout the warmer months.
*By Andy Brams.
