Keep Your Cool in This Summer’s Hottest Dresses

Warm-weather dressing can be challenging, especially when navigating too-cold air conditioning inside and sweltering temperatures outside. Instead of keeping a sweater in your bag at all times, try opting for something with three-quarter sleeves. The extra coverage offers warmth in frigid offices or restaurants, but because it’s cotton poplin, you won’t risk overheating the second you step out in the sun. 

As soon as summer hits, we say the more linen, the better — and so does Katie, who just bought this dress herself. While short dresses aren’t for everyone, you’ll want to make an exception for this one. It lets your legs breathe but isn’t so short that you’re risking unintentionally revealing your assets every time you reach for something. The A-line silhouette is reliably flattering, and it comes in five colors, most of which are finished with chunky back buttons that give it some quirky character.

Tank dresses are a perennial go-to, thanks to their throw-on-and-go nature, but the fabric can make or break them. Too thin and all your undergarments show, too thick and you’re left sweating uncontrollably due to a lack of breathability. This one gets it right with a thick, slightly stretchy cotton-spandex blend that skims the body effortlessly, making shapewear optional. Some note that it runs snug through the bust and suggest skipping the white if opacity is a concern, but otherwise, the praise is consistently high. 

If you don’t love to bare arms, flutter sleeves offer coverage without compromising breathability. Pair those with linen and you’ve got a match made in cooling clothing heaven! The delicately embroidered hem and split neckline are elegant details that turn this LBD into an effortless, full outfit, no flashy accessories required.

Katie owns a few of these silk L’Agence dresses, and they’ve never let her down. She layers them under blazers for the office, swaps in a cardigan for casual polish, and lets them shine solo with heels and a statement necklace for dressier events.

Equal parts professional and practical, this midi dress does double duty: It’s sharp enough for the office, yet relaxed enough for a picnic. The basketweave texture, inspired by classic canvas suiting, adds structure and sophistication while creating a natural-looking drape. Fully lined for comfort (read: no clinging), it also earns high marks for breathability in the heat. The included belt? A bit polarizing according to reviews, but thankfully, entirely optional.

Bra-friendly straps and pockets? We didn’t think such perfection was possible. This frock proved us wrong. Made from an activewear-inspired fabric designed to wick away heat and moisture, this garment gets high marks for staying cool, even in triple-digit temps. It dries quickly, making it ideal for repeat wears on vacation (even if you’re hand-washing it in a hotel sink).

Tall shoppers, take note: This dress has the extra length you’ve been looking for. It hits just below the knee on the 5’10” model, and tall reviewers rave about the fit. On petites like Katie, it wears more like a maxi, which we have no problem with. Meaning, it looks good no matter what your height. Sisterhood of the traveling dress, anyone? Add in four-way stretch and a heat-wicking fabric, and you’ve got a summer-ready staple that moves with you and keeps you cool.

No one wants to spend vacation time ironing everything that came out of the suitcase in a crumpled heap. That’s why wrinkle-resistant fabrics, like the dress this is composed of, are a game-changer. Designed to hold its shape straight out of your bag, it also features princess seams for a figure-friendly (but not clingy) fit, and a back slit for added movement, allowing you to easily stroll, not shuffle.

Sure, you could toss any old oversized T-shirt or button-down over your swimsuit, but where’s the fun in that? Go ahead and indulge in a new cover-up. This one from Land’s End is cut from an adorable eyelet fabric that’s extremely breezy thanks to the holes, and you could wear it as a duster over shorts and a T-shirt or a tank dress when you’re not at the beach or pool. Do be warned, you’ll need to slather on SPF to prevent a polka-dot sunburn. 

The summer wedding guest dress of your dreams has arrived. Our jaws dropped when we stumbled upon this design from Banana Republic. The fabric is soft and stretchy without looking like athleticwear, and the mock neck and bodice draping oozes vintage glamour. It’s fully lined to avoid sheerness, and an invisible zipper at the back makes stepping into it easy-peasy. 

Consider this Victoria Ratliff approved, and not just because it’s from a White Lotus collaboration. Created to be vacation-ready, the silky cotton will keep you cool in the stickiest of climates, and the puff sleeves and tiered skirt minimize skin and fabric contact, which is essential when you’re out and about in hot weather. 

Denim probably isn’t what you think of when you’re on the hunt for lightweight attire, but this one is different, we promise. It’s made from a blend of cotton and Tencel, which makes the fabric noticeably lighter than your old blue jeans, and the boxy fit keeps it from clinging to your body uncomfortably. Style this with white sneakers and statement sunglasses for afternoons strolling around town, or sandals for something a bit more dressy. 

Technically, it’s a cover-up — but we plan on wearing it out for drinks with friends this season. The one-shoulder fit, finished with a crisp cotton strap, nods to nautical without veering into costume territory. It’s meant to be flowy, but some suggest sizing down for the best fit.