Despite my best efforts, I still wear black more than any other color, and this doesn’t change once summer hits. Black dresses are just so easy and versatile, and I like to keep things interesting with bright accessories and maybe more jewelry than usual. I bought this Veronica Beard dress last summer (and probably showed it to you then) and I’m not surprised to see they brought it back, because it is so sexy and curve-flattering.
Here is a nice, flowy option for days so hot you don’t want to wear anything at all.
A sundress is a slightly young look, but one that I still really like, and you can always cover up with a light cotton cardigan.
A sweet and flirty little confection.
A simple wrap dress that I’d accessorize with a bunch of necklaces.
This shirtdress has a very subtle black-on-black textured stripe thing going on that I like a lot.
A pretty silk dress that’s pretty well-priced for a silk dress.
Such a feminine choice, but not too girly either.
A cute cotton embroidered number that looks like it could be Nili Lotan, but is in actual fact Mango.
The neckline here is just lovely.
I feel like this is a slightly dorky picture of this Theory dress, and that it would be quite graceful in person.
I like the slightly asymmetrical hem here.
A good T-shirt dress is just a smart summer investment.
I like the Grecian details here.
A simple tank dress works quite well as a beach cover-up too.
I really dig the twist-front detail here.
If you’re feeling flush, here’s a gorgeous specimen from Zero+Maria Cornejo. It exceeds the GOACA price limit, but I promise you’d get infinite wear out of it.
I’d wear this with bright espadrilles and an armful of bracelets.
This is an extended sizes option, which I’m pointing out because it’s not that obvious from the picture. I think it’s pretty adorable.
I’m not really showing prints in this post, but I made an exception for this striped, ruched Allsaints tank dress because it is just so good. It lingers in my shopping cart as I type.
The ruching is quite strategically placed here.
I’m pretty certain I showed you this Vince dress before, but now it is marked nicely down. With a belt it would be aces.
A silky popover shirtdress to throw on whenever.
Thank you for this! I too love wearing black, even in summer. For me it feels sophisticated to wear a black dress with lightly tanned skin and either bright or nude shoes.
I personally avoid black like the plague in the summer. I’m a PALE ass natural blonde, so not only do I look like a ghost in it, I hate the sun/being hot and it attracts the sun! But some of these are so great I may rethink my policy 🙂
The Mango
The Eileen Fisher
and that outstanding AllSaints
are all ones I’d wear and wear and wear….
good golly my poor checking account!
SideNote: I did take the plunge and purchased the Everlane elastic waist chinos. In coral. I may look like I’m wearing scrubs for a children’s hospital, but most colors were already sold out in my size!! Talk about popular!
Your round-ups are always so good, Kim, but this one is wonderful. Mango is making killer stuff, and the Free people and Veronica Beard dresses are amazing.
(Small voice) so sundresses skew young, right? I got one which is old/vintage Lanz. It does seem junior but it goes well past the knee, has pockets, and is just flattering- the cut is kind of empire-ish.
I’ve seen a lot of GOACAs who look great in a sundress. As long as you feel good in it, wear it and enjoy it!
Both the Mango dresses are so cute, I clicked on over to see about buying. But the largest size they offer is an 8. GRRRRRR.
That bummed me out too. I loved the white-button one.
I love this post. When I saw the header I knew it was going to be a dilly and you surely hit it out of the park. I can’t wait for part 2 (or 3 or 4 😄). Hope your book is going well, can’t wait to read it!!
And thank you for featuring one from Violeta!!
Yes, thank you for the Violeta one! SO CUTE. Sold out in my size, sob, or I would have bought.
And PLEASE pull the trigger on the Allsaints dress. I try not to urge others to, y’know, conspicuously consume, but it is SO FREAKING CUTE.
Every one of these dresses is AMAZING!!THANK YOU!!
I love so many of these, thank you!
Black is my favorite color, but it is tricky in summer, a season that always leaves me wondering how to dress.
Last year I bought a black silk Sezane wrap dress with 3/4 sleeves. I wore it last winter with boots and sliver jewelry and big scarves, but I think it will also work in summer with tan-colored sandals and gold jewelry. I’m going to stalk that Veronica Beard as well—hopefully will go on sale or hit the consignment sites!
P.S. I have the Eileen Fisher tank dress, and while it can look frumpy on the page, in reality it’s great—very versatile and also just a bit sexy. And if you want the length just a bit shorter than shown, order the petite.
I love the Nili Lotan dupe from Mango! It’s something I’ve been looking for (But it’s got to be larger than an 8! Anyone have an idea for me? So 14)
The ruching on the Theory is very appealing, as well.