Dresses are difficult items to add to our wardrobes for all sorts of reasons, especially when you’re after a casual frock to wear in hot weather that isn’t too clingy, short and skimpy. But if you’re patient, you’ll build a good dress collection over time.
Some of the dresses below have been winners on clients. Others have received good reviews, or simply caught my eye. Some options are available in petite and plus sizes, or different colour options.
- City Chic 'Hot Summer Days' Print High/Low Maxi Dress: A vibrant high-low maxi with a great fit despite the spaghetti straps. The smocking creates a very nice shape. Streamlined, comfortable and versatile. As good with flat sandals. Read the rave reviews.
- Boden Clemmie Shirt Dress: A classic sleeveless dress with a waist tie that works well for curvy body types like pears and hourglasses. The pockets are sublime, and the fabric lush. Fun colours and fab length. Might run a size small.
- Maeve | Anthropologie Belted Gingham Dress: Summer Gingham Fabness. Best on those who can fill it out. The great drape offsets the bold pattern. Read the rave reviews. Runs big.
- White House Black Market 3/4 Sleeve Floral Print Shift Dress: A good dress on a narrower hip. Smart Casual. Fun over leggings or cropped straights too.
- J.Crew Lace-up shirtdress: An easy breezy dress that works best on a straighter figure.
- Velvet By Graham & Spencer | Anthropologie Lantern Embroidered Midi Dress: A little Boho Fun for tall gals. You have to be okay with the volume of this dress. Size down.
- Boden Nathalie Dress: A classic linen sheath for casual days at the office, or as casual wear with flats and a slubby scarf. Works well on a straighter and curvier figure. Good on a larger bust and wider hip. You might need to size up.
- Vineet Bahl | Anthropologie Embroidered Caftan Dress: Caftan Fabness for apple and inverted triangle body types. Size down. Gorgeous over white jeans.
- Boden Evelyn Dress: A dressier frock for a smaller bust and wider hip. Fabulous pockets. Might run a size small.
- Boden Phoebe Jersey Dress: A super soft dress to wear with very casual footwear. Works on a range of body types. Might run a size small.
- Everlane The Linen Shirt Dress: A classic linen shirt dress to wear as is or over cropped jeans. Best on a straighter body type or apple shape. Both the blue and black are fab. Plenty of length for tall gals.
- Gap Denim popover shirtdress: A denim shirt dress suited to straighter petites and apple shapes. Short.
- Karen Kane Stevie Asymmetrical Tank Dress: A great dress for taller, curvier ladies who like to wear black in Summer.
- The Great The Camper Shirtdress: A fab shirt dress for Team Tall. Suits a range of body types. You might need to size down.
- Eileen Fisher Hemp & Organic Cotton Handkerchief Dress: Easy breezy handkerchief dress that suits a range of body types. Luxurious drape. Good on petites too. Size down.
- Ann Taylor Stripe Cold Shoulder Flutter Sleeve Dress: Cold Shoulder Striped Fabness. Read the rave reviews.
- Karen Kane Embroidered Handkerchief Hem Dress: I'd prefer to see this dress with casual flat sandals, but good on a range of body types. Weighty fabric with excellent drape. Might run a size big.
- Vince Plaid Shirtdress: A fab frock for Team Tall, and gorgeous over cropped straights. Luxurious fabric. Size down.
- PERSONA BY MARINA RINALDI Dizione Plaid Shirtdress: A fun checked frock for tall plus-sized apple shapes. Streamlined and playful.
- Caslon Linen Shirtdress: A classic shirt dress in a breezy linen WITH pockets. Fab weighty fabric. It might run a size big. Best in the solid blue and stripe (the fabric of the olive is not as weighty). I bought this in the stripe last year and love wearing it over cropped white straight leg jeans, or on its on with flat white sandals and pearls.
- Kit & Ace Highs And Lows T-Shirt Dress: A high-low T-shirt dress for the narrow-hipped and straighter figure. Runs a size small.
- Caslon Chambray Shirtdress: Lightweight denim shirt dress with plenty of length for tall gals.
- Kit & Ace Wave Dress: A knitted architectural dress with sufficient length for tall girls. Its asymmetrical waved drape is fabulous. The armholes might be a little wide, especially when you're petite with slender ams and short in the waist. The tapered hem adds plenty of structure.
- Everlane The Silk Square Shirt Dress: A fun silk sack dress in a yummy shade of emerald. Voluminous but the fabric drapes back onto the body which tempers its roominess. Size down.
- Boden Talia Dress: A classic sheath that looks as good with white sneakers and flat sandals as it does with a casual wedged espadrille. Might run a size small.
- Boden Romilly Dress: Fab midi for Team Curvy. Might run a size small.
- White House Black Market Cold-Shoulder Pleated Soft Dress: A Grecian dress that's begging to be worn with gladiators. Best on a curvy figure, and forgiving on the midsection. Gorgeous shade of blue. Size down.
- Moulinette Soeurs | Anthropologie Lizzy Sleeveless Dress: A good frock for both a curvy and straighter figure because the jersey moulds to the body but does not cling. Size down. Works well on petites, and taller gals.
- UNIQLO Women Crepe Camisole Long Dress: A '90s blast from the past. A crepey slip dress that works well over a T-shirt. Plenty of length for tall gals.
- Everlane The Cotton Poplin Collarless Shirt Dress: A short dress so probably best as a tunic if you prefer more coverage. Streamlined roomy fit, and works well for a larger bust and curvier body type. Vertical stripes are slimming.
- Floreat | Anthropologie Henrie Midi Dress: Gorgeous sundress that's luxe and lined. Read the rave reviews.
- Moulinette Soeurs | Anthropologie Tilda Silk Dress: Romantic and very alluring. Read the rave reviews.
- Gap Softspun knit tie dress: An easy casual T-shirt dress to wear with sneakers. The front tie adds just enough oomph. Best on a straighter figure. A little clingy so not for muffin top.
- Everlane The Striped Cotton Poplin Shirt Dress: A shirt dress for Team Tall Avant Garde. Looks good with chunky flat sandals, or sneakers. Best on a straighter figure. As nice in the blue stripe.
- Ann Taylor Gingham Ruffle Sleeve Shift Dress: An easy pop-over dress that can be worn to the office if the length is not too short. Works best on a less curvy figure. Fun fashionable pattern. Read the rave reviews.
- Ann Taylor Ruffle Sleeve Shift Dress: An easy pop-over dress that can be worn on its own or over cropped straights. Works best on a less curvy figure. VERY breezy. Dress it down with sneakers or flat sandals.
Visit the collection page to see the items alongside my descriptions.
