The Perfect Dress for Summer

There is something about summer that makes me expect everything to be easy breezy. I think it’s a throwback to when summer meant freedom from most responsibilities and everything moved just a little slower. Especially in the South where you have to cut your way through the humidity. Even though things don’t really slow down anymore, I still embrace that easy, breezy mentality when it comes to my summer wardrobe. My staples turn toward lighter colors and breathable fabrics, with only the occasional all-black outfit. When I want simple but classic, I tend to gravitate toward dresses. Since they’re basically the whole outfit, they’re easy to wear. If you want to look put together while running around doing your errands, finding a cute but comfortable dress should be high on your priority list. For the hot second I’m not in the A/C I need something that won’t leave me overheated as I walk down the street. I know I’ve talked about white dresses recently, and that is still something I need in my summer wardrobe. But the perfect dress for summer is a midi length linen, button down.

A linen dress is always a staple, but this summer it’s very on-trend. This is one of those perfect pieces that you don’t think about how much you wear it until it’s time to replace. Since they are so popular right now, luckily you can find them at every price point and every color.  I personally lean toward white or neutrals because they look more classic and can be worn season after season. I remember a black linen button down dress by mom had when I was growing up that I could easily put into my rotation today.

To be honest, I don’t know anyone who likes constantly ironing or steaming their clothes, so it’s probably better to go with a blend or a breathable fabric that has the linen look. To be the perfect dress for summer, the whole point is to look casual but still put-together. That effect is completely ruined when your dress is a mess of wrinkles. Plus, the trouble with linen is that it can be so simple, yet so expensive. And it seems like the more timeless it looks the more it costs. It’s pretty easy to find a dress with a lot of extra details like funky buttons or a trendy belt, but the whole point is that you want to be able to wear it next year and ten years from now.

I was actually pretty slow in joining the bandwagon. I would see a dress that I thought looked casual but still elegant and then see that it also came with an elegant price tag. Since I was unsure if I would get my wear out of it, I was hesitant to spend too much. And then I found the perfect dress. The price was just at $50 and I loved the eyelet detail. Another thing that never goes out of style. It has been so comfortable and easy to throw on for Saturday morning errands. These types of dresses pair so well with plain leather sandals or elevated espadrilles. I knew it was perfect for a Saturday morning adventure with my mom trying to find sunflower fields I remembered from when I was growing up. It turns out there’s a sunflower trail in northern Louisiana and they are everywhere!

Below I have linked a few great contenders at different price points, including what’s left in stock of the dress I’m wearing.

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