Stylish summer dresses that leave something to the imagination? Right this way. (Kohl's/Macy's)(Kohl's/Macy's)
Back in my 20s, I was very much an "age ain't nothing but a number" kinda gal. Why let how old I was dictate what I wore? Fast forward a few decades, and I get it. There are certain things I used to don often that I would never dare step outside the house in now. Chief among them? Short skirts and mini dresses.
When making fashion recommendations for others, I'm usually mindful of things like this. But on one of my recent summer dress articles, a reader named Kitty remarked, "As a senior citizen, I am looking for something slightly below the knee and with a short sleeve. These choices don't meet that criteria." Challenge accepted!
I began my hunt with lots of confidence. How hard could it be to find a not-too-long, shoulder-covering summer dress? Turns out, more difficult than I anticipated, hence Kitty's conundrum. But I'm not a quitter, and eventually I came across a few (OK, 10!) stylish picks I hope the mature ladies out there will appreciate and find helpful. They all offer plenty of coverage, have some flattering design details built in, and best of all? Not one is more than $50. Here's to lots of cute summer dresses in your closet, no matter your age.
I firmly believe that no summer wardrobe is complete without a white dress, so I'm telling you — grab this one while it's 50% off. It has beautiful, billowy sleeves that conceal the upper arms and an elasticized waist that nips you in at the midsection.
"Love this dress. Get tons of compliments when I wear it," one fan shared.
"I LOVE this dress. I have several in different prints," one super fan wrote in their review. "It's lightweight for Arizona summers and figure-flattering for most body types. I have several from last year, so the quality is good. I travel a lot and they don't wrinkle easily, plus [they] wash up nice. I would definitely recommend this dress to a friend."
What more is there to say? Oh, it's available in six colors and sizes XS-XXL.
If you're looking for a versatile dress that'll work for many settings, you've found it. The V-neck isn't too low, and the ruffled sleeves and hemline give it an extra special touch.
"I absolutely love this dress," one wearer raved. "It fits true to size and is very flattering. I’m 5’5" and the length is perfect for me. I feel that it would look good on most any height. The material is a nice weight, not too thick, not too thin and doesn’t cling to the wrong places. It has just enough stretch."
Available in four pretty prints, this knee-grazing dress has dainty puffed sleeves and a waist-defining tied belt that you can adjust to your liking. It's machine-washable, and more than 70 shoppers have given it five stars.
"Perfect dress for me," one customer commented. "Just love it. So hard to find something that suits my taste, budget, age and physique. First dress I've bought in decades."
People who've purchased this printed dress say it's perfect for special occasions this season.
"Winning wedding-guest dress," someone shared. "Soft, comfortable, quality fabric. Liked the colors, puffed sleeves, lace on the shoulder [and] longer midi length. I tried on many different dresses and this one was the winner in the end! Wore it to an outdoor wedding and felt it was perfect for the occasion."
Another shopper added, "This dress is great for a formal event while still feeling comfortable and flowy. It fits the body nicely while not being too restricting. The material is great and supportive."
If Gap Factory isn't on your radar, here's a reminder to take a look. The more affordable Gap offshoot is filled with wardrobe classics you can wear year after year. Prime example? This mixed-material dress that feels like a comfy tee up top, with a flattering full skirt at the bottom.
"This is a super cute dress!" shared one buyer. "I love the colors. I own the blue and the tan/brown. They are very flattering, easy to wear and have my favorite thing in a dress: pockets." It's also available in black and a muted pink.
When the last thing you want to wear is a dress that hugs in all the wrong places, you'll be glad you have a popover pick like this in your wardrobe. Keep it from looking too tent-like by pairing it with heels or wedges, statement jewelry and a bold lip color.
"This dress is so comfy!" noted one shopper. "[It] Is great for casual-dress occasions and lightweight and cool for hot weather. Looks good plain or you could dress it up with a neck scarf or a belt. Washes up nicely as well."
Whether for work, church or any other occasion that requires a little gussying up, grab this gorgeous pleated dress while it's on clearance at Macy's. The scuba crepe material is stretchy and supportive, and the skirt is lined so you don't have to worry about it being see-through.
"Exactly as expected and then some. Very pleased. Superb!" one shopper commented.
Going to a garden party or outdoor wedding this season? No need to thank me for finding the perfect dress for your festivities. This pink floral pick is a total knockout with romantic flutter sleeves and an alluring cowl neck. Best of all, it covers you in all the right places without feeling dowdy or matronly. It's available in sizes 14W-24W.
A simple, stretchy dress that's soft and comfy? Who could resist? While this style may initially seem plain, that's exactly why it's so appealing. It's an ideal canvas to dress up (or down) according to your personal style and the occasion. This pick will look just as good with white sneakers and a denim jacket as it will with heels and a drapey shawl. It's available in five colors.
Shared one initially hesitant shopper: "I was leery of this style but I’m so glad I took a chance. I wore a white jean jacket over it and it looked real cute. I wore it to a wedding and felt very comfortable in it. The material is so soft [that] it feels like I have nothing on. I highly recommend this dress."
I firmly believe that no summer wardrobe is complete without a white dress, so I'm telling you — grab this one while it's 50% off. It has beautiful, billowy sleeves that conceal the upper arms and an elasticized waist that nips you in at the midsection.
"Love this dress. Get tons of compliments when I wear it," one fan shared.
If you're looking for a versatile dress that'll work for many settings, you've found it. The V-neck isn't too low, and the ruffled sleeves and hemline give it an extra special touch.
"I absolutely love this dress," one wearer raved. "It fits true to size and is very flattering. I’m 5’5" and the length is perfect for me. I feel that it would look good on most any height. The material is a nice weight, not too thick, not too thin and doesn’t cling to the wrong places. It has just enough stretch."
When the last thing you want to wear is a dress that hugs in all the wrong places, you'll be glad you have a popover pick like this in your wardrobe. Keep it from looking too tent-like by pairing it with heels or wedges, statement jewelry and a bold lip color.
"This dress is so comfy!" noted one shopper. "[It] Is great for casual-dress occasions and lightweight and cool for hot weather. Looks good plain or you could dress it up with a neck scarf or a belt. Washes up nicely as well."
Whether for work, church or any other occasion that requires a little gussying up, grab this gorgeous pleated dress while it's on clearance at Macy's. The scuba crepe material is stretchy and supportive, and the skirt is lined so you don't have to worry about it being see-through.
"Exactly as expected and then some. Very pleased. Superb!" one shopper commented.
Going to a garden party or outdoor wedding this season? No need to thank me for finding the perfect dress for your festivities. This pink floral pick is a total knockout with romantic flutter sleeves and an alluring cowl neck. Best of all, it covers you in all the right places without feeling dowdy or matronly. It's available in sizes 14W-24W.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
