fashion

15 Dresses to Throw On and Get Out the Door

Think of it as one-and-done dressing. You promised your date/agent/interviewer you’d be there in half an hour, but Waze says it will take that long to drive. So...deep breath, throw on your beloved new frock and swipe some lipstick on in the car. You’ll look so fab, no one will care if you’re a few minutes late.

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Madewell

Pleated Midi

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

Rhode

Bell-sleeve Maxi

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)

Staud

Long And Linen

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

Staud ($295)

Barneys

Silky Resort Vibe

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

Mara Hoffman

Buttoned-up Tank

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)

Shopbop

Pink With Pockets

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

Barneys

Sorbet Stripes

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.

Barneys

Poplin Chic

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.

Zara

Buttoned And Bias Cut

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)

Topshop

T-shirt Ease

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.)

M.D.S Stripes

Asymmetrical Attitude

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)

Target

Lightened-up Leopard

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)

Anthropologie

Gonzo Floral Shirtwaist

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.

Vici Collection

Leggy Flare

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)

Matchesfashion

Prairie, But Fashion

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.

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Dana Dickey

Senior Editor

Dana Dickey is a PureWow Senior Editor, and during more than a decade in digital media, she has scoped out and tested top products and services across the lifestyle space...
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