15 Dresses to Throw On and Get Out the Door

This bright summery frock is flowy enough to hide the lunch baby without looking like you’re trying to hide the lunch baby.

What we look for in a warm-weather dress: covered up enough to wear in an air-con situation, but the lightweight cotton never feels too heavy in the heat.

Rhode ($425)

This 100% linen (read: cool) shift with raw-edge short sleeves and hem is just the right amount of Wild Wild Country.

Staud ($295)

Hand-blocked silk in a flattering-to-everyone V-neck midi dress with a generous elastic waist? Summer beach-to-brunch perfection.

A tank dress with wide straps, a removable belt and side slits? Welcome to your works-with-every-shoe linen-cotton summer bestie.

Mara Hoffman ($495)

We heart a full skirt that has pockets to stash everything from valet stubs to seashells you collected on the beach.

The ’70s vibe of these pastel stripes in breezy cotton gauze is very on trend and Cali cool. Wear it with clunky boots or heels to up the fashion factor.

A crisp cotton A-line dress is usually functional but a little ho-hum. This band-collar little number flips the script in a sexy fire-engine red.

Cream-hued dots bouncing around a salmon-hued midi dress? Just try being in a bad mood while floating down the street in this.

Zara ($70)

That favorite T-shirt you reach for first in your Marie Kondo’d drawer? This is the equally comfy and flattering dress version you need hanging in your closet. (Pair it with a chunky belt if you’re feeling fancy.)

Life’s too short for your sleeves to always match, and your fashion-forward self is showing that in this cool-girl shift. It goes with flat sandals as well as strappy heels.

M.D.S. Stripes ($149)

The jersey cotton summer dress is updated with a bi-level hem and ’80s-influenced leopard print. (Pink and black? So chic.) With nude cork heels and a straw bag, you’ll have the best outfit at the luncheon.

Who What Wear ($45)

We know: “Florals for spring, how revolutionary.” But actually, they are when they are rendered  in ginormous scale on a tie-waist frock that has a trendy skirt ruffle for extra oomph.

Let’s say you’ve been tanning or toning or taking your limbs to the gym (maybe all three, overachiever). Then by all means show them off in this flared affair in embroidered eyelet.

Vici ($64)

And now a new decade to plunder for outfit inspo: the 1880s. This high-necked, puff-sleeved dress looks like you got it at a really cool vintage store, only it’s been engineered to fit modern bodies and there’s no musty secondhand clothing aroma to get rid of.