Who says you can't wear sundresses any longer? Certainly not us! Here are the best, lightest frocks for summer.
Modeling their own sundresses above: Lesley Dormen, left, and Amy Kawadler, right, on NextTribe’s Beach Retreat
A friend recently asked a question that stumped me: “Can we still wear sundresses?” I hadn’t ever thought to question that; I wear them all the time. But my friend told me that she knows women our age who are reluctant to wear something strappy and don’t think they’re appropriate, even during the sweltering heat. Where do these ideas come from?
A sundress, by definition, is something you wear in the sun, maybe while you want to get sun, or maybe not. Perhaps it has camisole straps; possibly it’s short; maybe it’s long and in a natural fabric. But in any case, you’re going to have more skin in this dressing game. That’s what may make some of us hesitant to wear them. We’ve done stories about arm insecurity, but a light wrap or even a featherweight jean jacket can take care of that.
The other reason many women our age resist the sundress look is that it often seems impossible to wear a regular bra. Yes, a strapless or razorback bra is needed for many designs, but several styles we picked below are “bra friendly.”
Also, for many of the frocks below, you can wear a tank or a T-shirt underneath for more coverage and less chance of a peekaboo bra show. Other ideas for added modesty: a lovely scarf to cover up some of the chest bareness or necklaces layered down the front to add panache.
Here, 14 summer sundress styles that you can rock in an easy, breezy way.
Read More: 9 Swimsuits for Women Over 50 That You’ll Actually Wear
We Like It Bold
This Bohemian maxi is long on sexy elements, and the colors look like powerful strokes of a paintbrush. We love the full-bodied skirt, which infuses femininity into the silhouette. By a new favorite designer: ba&sh.
Level Up
Make your summer special with a dress as cool as linen, styled with a cold shoulder and an asymmetric neck. So next level! By Dissh. Shop Now.
Sheath Music
Whistle while you elevate your warm weather work wardrobe with this sleek sheath dress that can move perfectly from the board room to after-work beverages. From J. Crew. Shop Now.
Maxing Out
Tropical maximalism for every body in a plus size. Sow the seeds you’ve planted with swaying leaves, a summery halter neck, a maxi length with a flirty slit on the leg, and an open back for day or night. Shop Now.
Covering All Bases
Easy-peasy beautiful rib knit cotton is perfect for warmer days, especially in a cling-free, breezy, shoulder-baring, and oh-so comfortable midi. By Land’s End. Shop Now.
Eyelet on Style
The mod beauty of a (sort of) barely-there eyelet halter embraces the mystique of deep summer. By Vineet Bahl for Anthropologie. Shop Now.
It’s All Up to Hue
Tonal dressing in a warm summer shade like a hug from the sun. Open detailing on bodice, body-hugging, smocked back, and a flowy skirt make an extraordinary statement. By Farm Rio. Shop Now.
Simply, Summer
Simple, straight slubbed-cotton midi dress for everyday ease is a breeze to layer, wash, and wear. By Boden. Shop Now.
Meow This
Made with 100% cotton, this terrific tiger print frock features scooped front and back necklines, a low, dropped waist, and a full gathered, maxi length skirt. Oh, and it also has two handy side pockets too. By Everlane. Shop Now.
Snappy and Strappy
Airy trapeze-style tiered midi dress with a billowing silhouette, flowing, A-line fit, and sweetheart neckline with adjustable shoulder straps in a hue not to be missed. By Banana Republic. Shop Now.
Well-Shirted
What’s not to love about a good shirt dress? This crisp number comes with a belt, a full, flouncy skirt, and—hallelujah—pockets! By T. Tahari. Shop Now.
The Gold Standard
Glossy, glow-y, and a true winner. We especially love the smocked back. From The Gap. Show Now.
It’s a Cinch
Adjustable waist-cinching to appeal to any style mood, made for easy packing and easy wearing. As comfortable for a day’s light hike as a night on the town. From Title Nine. Shop Now.
Flirty from Top to Bottom
A special dress for a special occasion, with a swingy, fringe hem that falls above the ankle, a flattering halter neckline, and a keyhole cutout at the center. By J. Crew. Shop Now.
We Like It Bold
This Bohemian maxi is long on sexy elements and the colors look like powerful strokes of a paintbrush. We love the full-bodied skirt, which infuses femininity into the silhouette. By a new favorite designer: ba&sh.
Level Up
Make your summer special with a dress as cool as linen, styled with a cold shoulder and an asymmetric neck. So next level! By Dissh.
Sheath Music
Whistle while you elevate your warm weather work wardrobe with this sleek sheath dress that can move perfectly from the board room to after-work beverages.
Maxing Out
Tropical maximalism for every body in a plus size. Sow the seeds you’ve planted with swaying leaves, a summery halter neck, a maxi length with a flirty slit on the leg and open back for day or night.
Covering All Bases
Easy peasy beautiful rib knit cotton is perfect for warmer days, especially in a cling-free, breezy, shoulder-baring and oh-so comfortable midi. By Land's End.
Eyelet On Style
The mod beauty of a (sort of) barely-there eyelet halter embraces the mystique of deep summer. By Vineet Bahl for Anthropologie.
It’s All Up to Hue
Tonal dressing in a warm summer shade like a hug from the sun. Open detailing on bodice, body-hugging smocked back, and a flowy skirt make an extraordinary statement. By Farm Rio.
Simply, Summer
Simple, straight slubbed-cotton midi dress for everyday ease is a breeze to layer, wash and wear. By Boden.
Meow This
Made with 100% cotton, this terrific tiger print frock features scooped front and back necklines, a low, dropped waist, and a full gathered, maxi length skirt. Oh, and it also has two handy side pockets too. By Everlane.
Snappy and Strappy
Airy trapeze-style tiered midi dress with a billowing silhouette, flowing, A-line fit and sweetheart neckline with adjustable shoulder straps in a hue not to be missed. By Banana Republic.
Well Shirted
What's not to love about a good shirt dress. This crisp number comes with a belt, a full, flouncy skirt and again--allelujah--pockets! By T. Tahari.
The Gold Standard
Glossy, glow-y and a true winner. We especially love the smocked back. From The Gap.
It's a Cinch
Adjustable waist-cinching to appeal to any style mood, made for easy packing, easy wearing. As comfortable for a day’s light hike as a night on the town. From Title Nine.
Flirty From Top to Bottom
A special dress for a special occasion, with a swingy, fringe hem that falls above the ankle, a flattering halter neckline and a keyhole cutout at the center. By J. Crew.
A version of this story was originally published in July 2019.
