13 Pretty Summer Dresses That Are All Under $100
by The Candidly Team
Never are we as “hopeful” about an item of clothing as when we shop for a dress.
A good dress promises to be an easy “solution” - a solitary item that we throw on without having to think about, and poof, we look excellent.
But oh how dresses can let us down. Finding one we love (or even like) usually takes stumbling through a void of ill-fitting skirts, weird, clingy fabrics, unreachable zippers, and sad, squished boobs. It can get…not fun.
So when we set out to find not 1 but 13 summer dresses that look, fit, and feel gorgeous on our actual non-6ft-size-2 bodies, but don’t cost hundreds of dollars, sure, we were hopeful. But we were also realistic. And that made us picky, like really, reeeeeaally picky.
And my friends, we think it paid off.
Somewhere on this list is a dress for you. The Dress. The one you’ll be reaching for with confidence any warm day of the year. And, oh yeah, it will cost you less than $100. We won’t keep you waiting. Into the void you go.
1. The Daytime Dress That Works For Every Occasion
1.State Strapless Ruffle Tiered Dress
The brilliance of this dress is that the floaty top and bottom get balanced by the waist-nipping elastic bodice, so you get the perfect hourglass shape, while wearing something blissfully light and airy. We stopped fearing strapless when we realized it actually makes arms look better than almost any short sleeve. Plus, it’s machine washable, which makes it a low-maintenance staple in our closet. The top is basically its own bandeau bra, but if you need extra support, we suggest #13 on THIS list.
Price: $89
2. The Perfect-Fitting Wrap Dress
Quince Tencel Jersey Midi Wrap Dress
The true beauty of a wrap dress is you get all the clean-lined, chicness of a more fitted midi but with that extra sweep of fabric across your midsection that skims and flatters and doesn’t leave us feeling like every “bumpy bit” we have is on full display. This dress has the added benefit of being buttery soft, so our skin thinks loungewear, while our brain thinks out-on-the-town. Plus, the price gives us permission to get it in more than one color!
Price: $60
3. The Most Prized Maxi Dress In Our Closet
The moment we swooped our head into this dress, pulled its stretchy top down past our stomach, and let its billowy skirt slip to our ankles, we knew it was something special. Then we looked in the mirror, and our suspicions were confirmed. This is unequivocally the most flattering maxi dress we’ve ever put on our bodies. The top is soft and fitted, while the skirt is full and lovely. The sizing goes up to XXXL. It’s one of those dresses that feels a little magical when you wear it, and you can wear it to pretty much anything. We love it in black, but it also comes in a summery white HERE.
And fine, we admit it. This dress is more than $100…by $8. Which isn’t nothing. But we assure you, it’s the best $8 you’ll spend this season.
Price: $108
4. The Floaty, Romantic Dress Of Our Dreams
Summersalt The Easy Breezy Eco Voile Tie-Shoulder Dress
Noticing a breezy theme here? Granted, we’re a little spellbound by things that feel as good as they look. And nothing feels better in warm weather than soft, wispy fabrics, flattering cuts, and pretty prints. Such is the case with this perfect dress. Wear it with THESE espadrilles and THIS basket bag, and suddenly, you’re a whole new version of yourself, a version who strolls instead of scrambles, who knows precisely which melon to buy at the market, and who can’t be bothered to dine indoors. You know? Breezy.
Price: $95
5. The Necessary Party Dress
Modern Citizen Mila Layered Tank Dress
A trick to picking out yet another dress to wear to yet another event is to choose a fit that you know you’ll feel deeply comfortable in (and therefore won’t be adjusting all night) but in a color that adds intrigue and excitement. We love the Goddess fit of this dress paired with its marigold hue. Add to that the fact that we can give it a cold machine wash rather than bothering with dry cleaning, and no formal dress has ever been easier. You could sleep in it it’s so cozy, and yet, it will draw more compliments than you may be comfortable with. Especially when worn with #2 on THIS list.
Price: $79
6. The Summer Wedding Guest Dress
French Connection Afina Ruched Midi Dress
We could write a whole article dedicated to the loathsome task that is picking out a wedding guest dress. Oh wait - we did! But sometimes we get lucky and find something like this. The ruching, the 3/4 sleeve, the not-too-tight column skirt. Every detail aligns to look gorgeous on every shape human. And while we’re all in for the hot pink, they also have it in black…and white…and blue!
Price: $96
7. The Only Fitted Dress We Wear Constantly
Everlane The Ribbed Tank Dress
A fitted rib dress is one of those things we love in theory, but when it comes down to physically wearing one, we suddenly feel less certain. Why willingly wear a dress that’s gonna cling to every inch of our bodies? And we know, the answer should be because we love our bodies, but can’t we love our bodies, and also enjoy a little breathing room? This dress has the clean lines and killer silhouette we’re drawn to in a fitted midi, but with a sliiightly more relaxed fit that looks great on curves. We like to cinch it at the waist (as we did HERE) or to wear it under a light button-down. There are so many ways to style it, and because it fits so beautifully, we find ourselves styling it all the time.
Price: $78
8. The Airy Dress We Throw On Over A Swimsuit
You know that “vacation feeling” you have after spending hours at the pool when you decide to head to lunch and want something nice and airy to slip on (and to slip out of your wet swimsuit under)? This is that glorious dress. And it’s even more glorious with THIS perfect poolside sandal.
Price: $98
9. The Ideal Warm-Weather Work Dress
Quince 100% European Linen Button Front Dress
We still get stupid about big buttons (maybe it’s a Corduroy generation thing?), but it’s actually the breathable linen and tie-waist that make us wild about this dress. It’s a staple we can wear to work from May to September, but also to brunch or dinner, a book club or the beach. And if you’re someone who looks good in earth tones, the color selection will make you weak.
Price: $50
10. The Easiest Weekend Dress
J. Crew Striped Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress
A smocked bodice is a dream for curvy gals. But also, in truth, for everyone. This dress is supportive and stretchy right where it needs to be and loose and lovely everywhere else. And it sizes up to 3X.
Price: $49.50
11. The Jersey Dress That Looks Gorgeous On Curves
A comfy, tailored dress you can wear Monday morning or Saturday eve and always look an Audrey Hepburn level of refined. The subtle pleating and pockets make it extra flattering on curves. It sizes up to 22, comes in petite and long, and feels like we’re in a literal t-shirt.
Price: $85
12. The Flattering Floral Dress
AQUA Printed Halter Neck Midi Dress
There’s nothing that compares to the comfort of a smocked top that adjusts to our ever-fluctuating waists, but this dress also has the floatiest skirt, so we feel light and airy and still supremely flattered by a fitted bodice. It’s a summer vacation in dress form. Naturally, we wear it with THESE sandals.
Price: $98
13. The Effortless A-Line Maxi Dress
Abercrombie Crinkled Textured Smock Waist Maxi Dress
The smocked waist. The ruched shoulders. This dress is a masterclass in creating a shape that looks good on every shape human. Plus, it’s so gauzy and breathable, it’s a struggle not to throw it on every sweltering day. Thankfully, you can machine wash on cold for easy, repeat wearing.
Price: $66
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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