Looks that tell the world you're conquering summer in style at prices that say you're doing it with smarts. (Amazon)
What feels better on a scorching summer day than shedding a pair of sweaty shorts and a tee and slipping into a light and breezy sundress? Not much! We're always on the lookout for the best seasonal styles, but sometimes you want to prioritize comfort (i.e. not sweating buckets) over cute. But here's the thing: You can have both. In fact, we’ve come across a dozen delightful options at retailers like Amazon, Abercrombie & Fitch and Nordstrom Rack that deserve a spot in your closet. The best part? Every single one of them is on sale for under $50.
Here are our picks for the best (and comfiest) summer dresses at stellar prices, but don't stop there: We've also rounded up Amazon's most flattering one-piece swimsuits and coverups. (Even better? They're all under $40!)
A Yahoo reader favorite, this top-selling maxi dress — up to 80% off in certain colors — doubles as a coverup for the beach or pool. Its flowy silhouette skims the body, so it's incredibly flattering. Choose from 15 colors.
This cute and comfy maxi dress has it all: a flattering design, cute slit and handy pockets!
This vacation-ready casual cutie has an A-line silhouette that skims the body and hits just above the knees. The best part? It has pockets! Choose from 35 colors and prints.
"There’s something about the simple design and the soft gentle stretch of the fabric that makes the fit very flexible and forgiving," wrote one of nearly 28,000 five-star fans. "This pretty dress also skims over any 'lumpy' areas you might want to camouflage ... It's comfortable, pretty, flattering and a great price!"
Made of a polyester-rayon-spandex blend, this tiered maxi is light, soft and flowy, with a nice amount of stretch and thickness to elevate comfort and prevent undergarments from showing through. The high waistline helps create a flattering silhouette, and the tiered design adds a little visual flair. There are 30 colors to choose from and it even has pockets. Who doesn't love a dress with storage?
This A-line style is another fashion hero. Pretty ruffled sleeves complement a smocked waist and airy tiered skirt for a silhouette that hides tummy or hip concerns. This pretty light apricot style is down to $49, and there are 26 other colors also on sale at varying prices.
"Received so many compliments after not being totally sure about the color! It is perfect for a hot day when you have to dress up… Super flattering and also very comfortable," gushed one fan.
Meet your year-round wardrobe workhorse. This flowy wear-anywhere dress makes for a perfect summer pairing with sandals and a sun hat. And we love this look with a knotted bottom, to keep it clear from waves during long walks on the beach. Prices vary by color and print — 19 options are available ... and all have pockets (we love pockets).
Choose from 40 different colors and patterns in sizes up to 2XL — prices vary depending on your selection, but this floral number will get you the best discount (over half off!).
If springtime was a dress, it would be this magical number. The lightweight, swingy frock comes in 39 warm-weather-worthy colors and patterns. With the gathered tie-waist, this dress creates a flattering silhouette and can be dressed up or down.
Statement sleeves are all the rage this summer, so we're particularly enamored with these fluttery cap lovelies, which are just right for keeping shoulders sheltered from the sun's rays. This dress is available in 27 colors, including neutrals like black, white and khaki; pastels like mint and sky blue; and bold brights like peacock and rose.
The waistline is well-positioned to hide any bulges, while the shirred top makes for a slimming silhouette. Reviewers praise the fabric for being breathable and non-clingy.
"I bought this for a baby shower and was pleasantly surprised how comfortable it was. The material is breathable and thin without being sheer," said a buyer. "It is a very flattering shape. It is long enough that it isn't a mini-dress but not too long to be a maxi dress. ... This is a repeat wear for me!"
Prints, prints and more prints — 23 options in total, with an additional 10 solid-color choices in pastel and neutral hues. From bold geometrics to romantic florals, this splashy stunner hits on all the right notes for a stylish, sunny-season wardrobe update. The fabric is soft, breathable and stretchy without being see-through.
"I'm pear-shaped. I carry my weight in my butt, belly and thighs," explained one shopper. "I have an apron belly from having babies. I'm very self-conscious about it. I have a very hard time finding things that fit my lower body and aren't huge on my upper body. This dress was wide enough for my bottom, but didn't drown my upper half."
This shirt dress is business on the top, party on the bottom. At the top, you have a utility-style short-sleeved shirt with a snappy collar. There's elastic at the waist to comfortably cinch you in. And on the bottom, there's a full A-line skirt that flows when you walk or dance. The dress comes in regular, petite and tall sizes. Choose from khaki, black and sage green.
"This dress has the shape of my dreams! Wide angled sleeves that keep their shape, snatched waist, maxi length A-line skirt that goes to just above my ankles and with pockets (not just on chest but in the skirt!)," said a shopper. "Overall, this is a dress with a shape/style and price point that is perfect/rare to find, so I had to snap it up! In love with it!"
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
