Best Summer Dresses You Need Now
Do the perfect summer dresses exist? Since the warm-weather season is in full effect and we’re already searching for one-and-done styling hacks to keep us looking chic in the heat, ModeSens fashion director Jing Leng and influencer Dominique Bird styled three stunning silhouettes their own way before taking them out for a spin in Austin to find out for themselves.
The spring runways featured a scintillating mix of summer dress styles to wear for any scenario from a low-key brunch to a black-tie wedding. With that in mind, our in-house style experts zoned in on breezy French dresses, eye-catching slips, and ever-classic LBDs—updated for the season with corsetry and side splits. Each elegant look held that same runway-promise of hitting the dress code mark at more than one event.
Look 1: The Romantic French Dress
The Dress: DÔEN's Cotton Maxi Dress
Jing’s Conclusion: “The material is super soft and lightweight, which is perfect for warmer days. I love how the cute floral print and romantic puff-sleeves add a feminine touch. Plus, the shirred panels really define the waist. I added contrast with floral pink sandals. I just need to grab a straw hat et voilà, this would make an ideal summer dress for a picnic!”
Look 1: The Romantic French Dress
The Dress: Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Ruched Puff Sleeve Mini Dress
Dominique’s Conclusion: “It gets so hot here in Texas that I really wanted to find a summer dress that breathes, and this cotton style does exactly that. I love white against my tattoos and olive skin because it makes me look tan, while black can end up looking harsh. I usually opt for super feminine styles and this one is just the thing for a night out with my husband.”
The Dress: Réalisation’s Albie Dress in Dazed Noir
Jing’s Conclusion: “I love the milk-maid design. It has such a classic, vintage French vibe and the olive paisley print is so pretty. It’s flattering, too, because of the slim A-line silhouette. I paired it with PVC sandals and micro-sunnies to add a modern touch. I’d wear this for a trip to a museum or on a date.”
The Dress: Reformation Off-White Frankie Maxi Dress
Dominique’s Conclusion: “I wore this recently on a girls’ trip to Paris and it was perfect! I adore the Picasso print and the trending 90s style is a huge part of its appeal. I love styling it in different ways—I’ve layered it under a sweater and paired it with knee-high cowboy boots, which look cool because of the split at the back. I plan to wear it again to an upscale restaurant with a good bar.”
The Dress: Reformation Juliette Midi Dress
Jing’s Conclusion: “Less is more here. Dominique and I coincidentally choose the same midi dress with a spaghetti strap and front split, which elongates the leg. I love the sweetheart neckline and cinched waist that skims the body. It’s the most simple, well-tailored black dress. I took inspiration from the French by adding red accents, with ballet shoes and a Savette bag. It’s a great outfit for brunch or coffee at the cafe I love around the corner from our place.”
Look 3: The Long Black Dress
The Dress: Zara Slip Dress
Dominique’s Conclusion: “I love the subtle corset here—it’s a detail that’s been trending everywhere. It’s flattering and really pulls everything in at the waist. It also meant I didn’t have to wear a bra, so it was super comfortable. This is the dressiest of all the looks I tried. I think it would work best at a fundraiser or a black-tie wedding. Something with a dress code.”
When it comes to determining the perfect summer dress, breathability, tailoring, comfort, and flattery all rank high on our style aficionados’ list. Add in longevity—that plays into and surpasses current trends—and you might just have discovered perfection. For more summer dresses that check all the boxes, explore our edit below.
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