Whether you’re planning to spend your summer strolling through Manhattan or touring the cobblestone streets of Lisbon, there is likely one detail you shouldn’t overlook when shopping for the perfect summer dress to wear all season long: the fabrics and styles that are going to keep you as cool and comfortable as possible. When the sun is beaming down on you while you stroll through the park or sit down for brunch, there are four things you need: Your hair up in a bun, tiny sunnies that don’t actually cover your eyes, open-toed shoes, and a light cotton summer dress.
Today we’re narrowing in on the latter essential. Before you sit down to spend potentially hours scouring the internet, simply scroll through the below roundup. Whether it’s to throw on for a casual Saturday afternoon or pack in your suitcase for your next vacation, a cotton dress will fit the bill. From white eyelet (a personal favorite) to bright, summery prints, there’s a style for everyone. We’ve rounded up the best cotton summer dresses so you can skip the hours indoor surfing the web and instead head outside for your next picnic in the park (clad in cotton, of course).
I can’t believe this pretty Shopbop pick is both on-sale and pretty well-stocked, but I won’t be taking any chances by waiting to buy it.
Cult Gaia knows how to make my jaw drop, and their latest batch of sultry cutouts are no exception.
In case you were eyeing the rosette-adorned number in the opening photo.
Filing this under: dream vacation wardrobe.
This waistline though!
I think this might just be the LBD to end them all.
WWW readers are already all over this breezy, compliment-inducing pick.
Don’t call it a nightgown—it’s a full-on slip dress and cool wedding party option.
The kind of effortless piece that hardly looks it.
The rising label that insiders are absolutely abuzz about. I’m fawning over this ruching.
Pretty neckline.
Simple, understated, and totally ’90s-inspired.
This shade of orange just feels like the coolest option for the summer.
I can’t believe it took my 15 slides to show you a floral dress. Aren’t you proud of me?
I’m suddenly so obsessed with drop-waist dresses like this.
I’m already seeing this flood the streets of lower Manhattan, so I predict it’s going the be the one Ref dress everyone buys.
Immediately yes.
Oooh.
This neckline is straight out of a Meg Ryan movie in the late ’90s, and I love that about it.
Breezy.
Snakeskin print is on its comeback tour. My pick? Khaite’s printed tube dress.
Wear this retro sneakers like a pair of Sambas and call it a day.
French women would be all over this simple find.
The ’90s Prada energy is palpable here.
Everyone needs a simple tube dress like this in their summer wardrobes—including me.
I know I’m late to the game, but I’m absolutely swooning over all the pretty dresses from this brand on Nordstrom.
The ruching detail is very spring 2023.
From the color to the texture, no one will believe this dress was only $130.
To wear with flat sandals during the day and strappy heels at night.
Preppy girl summer is upon us. This print, shape, and color all give me big country club energy.
Just wait until you see the back.
Prints like this are low-key genius because they’re easy to match with any color accessories.
I haven’t stopped thinking about this perfect full-skirt dress since I spotted it on Elsa Hosk herself.
Obsessed with everything about this.
Yes to this buckle detail.
Miaou dresses are notorious for being deceivingly comfortable. The Thais Dress is made from a stretch mesh so it’s hardly an exception.
No need for jewelry when your dress is this pretty.
I can already hear the “Where did you get that?!” comments rolling in.
That’s hot.
This neckline just gets me.
Can someone please explain to me how this is under $100? K, thanks.
