15 Summer dresses under $150

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There are several sleeveless options here, which I don’t usually do, but—as I have noted before—that is what a cotton cardigan is for. And I think in general summer is a time to make peace with your upper arms and bare them with impunity: despite the fact that I am now doing yoga five times a week, mine are far from toned, but I can’t be bothered to cover them up when it gets really hot, and neither should you. (Meanwhile, there are a number of sleeved items to choose from here as well.) I am crazy for this dotted dress: the shoulder ties make it so feminine.

Striped dresses can be tricky and hip-widening, but this one gets all flowy on the bottom half, which is nice and forgiving.

This neon pineapple print is just good fun.

An elegant black silk dress that is just the right amount of sexy.

The wide waist-tie on this shirt dress makes for a trim silhouette.

Of course I like the black embroidery on this blue dress, because black and blue together is the best. Also, this looks insanely comfortable.

The ruching on the sides of this plus-size dress keeps things from coming off too boxy.

This also comes in black, but I think the white is so fresh.

Just a really flattering, easy shirt dress.

tank dress just made for kicking around on the weekend.

Really simple, but very pretty.

This tassel-front dress is very Ulla Johnson.

A lovely Liberty of London floral on a very femme-y dress.

The tiered look here is very chic.

This one would be tricky if you needed to wear a bra—and I know that most of us do—but I think it’s so damn cute I had to include it.

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17 Thoughts on 15 Summer dresses under $150
    Mouse
    1 Jun 2017
    7:22am

    I’m roughly a size 6, but I really appreciate your not ghetto-izing plus sizes. It’s great to see them mixed in with everything else, because we’re all women. Also, I like to wear thing oversized and I might try some of them!

    Here’s to hoping others follow your lead…..

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    Dianne
    1 Jun 2017
    8:23am

    Thank you for the options for us larger gals!

    I’m on the border of straight sizes and plus sizes-so every shopping trip is a hit or miss adventure. A brand may have many options for me this season may have none the next season,so I’m open to exploring- I have to be. For me there is no such thing as a “go to” brand.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

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    Lisa
    1 Jun 2017
    8:32am

    Love this!! Thank you!!

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    c.w.
    1 Jun 2017
    9:52am

    I want to give a shout-out to:

    https://www.lacausaclothing.com/collections/dresses

    Someone on this site mentioned this and as a result I’ve purchased three dresses from them and love each one. Their fits are loose so would probably fit a number of different body types.

    Love that polka-dot dress!!

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      Sara
      1 Jun 2017
      11:10am

      Yay, that was me! So glad you’re a fan!

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    Caroline
    1 Jun 2017
    10:21am

    Good choices!
    So while this suggestion is not sexy in the slightest..
    As in; never wear when you’ll be showing your bra later😂
    I get tons of use out of my “NuBra” in the summer.
    Yup, it sticks right on..
    Yes, it ridiculous.
    Yes, it even lifts a little.
    No, this won’t work if your busty,
    But it’s perfect if you just can’t deal with bra straps that day.
    Promise.

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      S.
      1 Jun 2017
      3:37pm

      Yup. I hate these things AND get tons of excellent use out of them every summer…

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        Caroline
        1 Jun 2017
        4:19pm

        😂same here!

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    Viajera
    1 Jun 2017
    10:51am

    So it turns out that either Mango has no stores here, or I am bad at searching. Too bad, they make some cute things.

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      Heather
      1 Jun 2017
      2:24pm

      They have pretty decent mail-order if that helps. Sizing can be a bit iffy, but I think they have free shipping + free returns, so ordering 2 sizes and keeping the one that fits could be an option.

      Kim, I also appreciate the range of sizes here, and I prefer less-expensive stuff for the summer, since I’m rarely in the office and it’s mostly just gonna get sweated in/ice tea spills/etc. Nice all around!

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    Darcy
    1 Jun 2017
    12:45pm

    Friends, how to handle a bra with the dotted dress?? Looks not possible. Am I wrong? Clue me in. thx!

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    Darcy
    1 Jun 2017
    12:46pm

    Those of you jonesing for a tank dress, give American Giant a look. The quality is high every time.

    https://www.american-giant.com/womens-dresses/

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    Judy
    1 Jun 2017
    1:23pm

    Like others above, I want to thank you for rounding up some cute choices for the chubsters among us.

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    Gables girl
    1 Jun 2017
    11:05pm

    I just picked up the Mango dress on Amazon

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    Eloise
    1 Jun 2017
    11:07pm

    I love summer dresses and was super excited to see this post until I remembered that I just bought six (yes, six!) longish dresses from Eay Off the Beaten Oath on Main Street in Annapolis, Maryland (if you don’t count the two I bought two months ago to replace the one I bought. Few years ago and wore so often it fell apart on me). The store doesn’t have much of an online presence, but if you live in the area, check them out! Co-designer/owner Angelique is as delightful as her cotton dresses which come in solid colors and vibrant prints, some of which are quite Libertyesque.

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      Eloise
      1 Jun 2017
      11:11pm

      And, I’m five foot 2 inches on a good day and the dresses still fit me

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    Meg
    6 Jun 2017
    12:20pm

    Longtime lurker, first-time poster. I am echoing the thanks for including larger sizes in your lineup. Like Dianne I am in the ghetto between l/xl straight sizes and plus so I appreciate the tips! Please keep them coming!

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Kim France

I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.

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