How To Wear A Dress in Summer 2019

This summer is warmer than expected. Every time I ask myself “what should I wear”, I tend to choose dresses over skirts and shorts.

Let’s face it, dresses are easy to throw on. Unlike wearing skirts and shorts, I don’t have to think about which tops to pick especially when I am pressed for time.

The next question is how do I look stylish in them?

In this blog post, I invited one of my dear friends on URSTYLE who has a marvellous sense of style, Sharee Muench to join me in sharing a few styling tips.

Here are 17 stylish outfits featuring mini, midi and maxi dresses.

Mini dress

Mini dresses can be fun, cute, flirty and sexy. With the right fit, proper footwear and accessories, you can definitely rock the look in style.

This Mimi gingham mini dress is absolutely adorable. To add an element of sophistication, pair it with these classy Chloe Gosselin slip-on sandals and a neutral straw tote. You can wear this outfit to a brunch date, a weekend birthday party or gallivanting around town.

It’s fun to wear vibrant colours in the summer. The gorgeous Emilio Pucci Acapulco print smocked mini dress in the set below is a perfect example. To make the dress pop, choose neutral accessories to create the balance. The Tory Burch flats keep the ankles exposed which creates a longer line for your legs.

A common misconception about mini dresses is that they are only appropriate for a night club. Some women may mistakenly think they can not wear a short dress if they are past the age of 30. A loose mini dress is less “restrictive” when worn outside on a hot summer day than the usual shorts and t-shirt combination.

This Norma Kamali jersey dress, when paired with Franco Sarto heeled sandals and Kayu St. Tropez straw tote, makes a great stylish casual choice for walking around during the day and into the night.

For a magical night on the town, an elegant short dress does double duty by being sophisticated and sexy. The two sets below are great examples.

A rich deep colour palette is the first way one can start building a mini dress look that is not too youthful. A lacey dress, like the Jonathan Simkhai shown below, is always a perfect choice for that special evening.

Choosing dark metallic accessories, such as these Stuart Weitzman sandals and Bottega Veneta clutch, instantly adds intrigue. An unexpected “individually you” twist is guaranteed to make everyone admire not just the outfit, but also the woman wearing it. This Janessa Leone hat will do just that.

This BCBG Maxazria Selina layered A-line dress combines modern classics with pure elegance. The Valentino Garavani rockstud pumps bring an element of fun and sassiness. Finish the look with the Topshop Clo ring clutch. You are now set out to enjoy a lovely evening with family and friends in style.

In the mood for a monochromatic outfit in soft neutral? This Faithfull Birgit polka dot mini dress might just be what you are looking for. Match it with these fabulous Rene Caovilla crystal embellished satin sandals, the Miu Miu straw shopping bag, and the Linda Farrow cat-eye gold-plated sunglasses. You are ready to step out into the world like a true fashionista.

Midi dress

For many of those “What Should I Wear” questions, the midi dress is the answer.

If one is uncomfortable wearing extreme dress lengths, mini or maxi – MIDI.

If one does not know if an outfit needs to be retired at the end of the day or keep going into the night – MIDI.

There are fashion guidelines for certain situations: office attire, a day at the beach, black tie event, romantic night on the town, etc. When one is unclear on proper dress – MIDI.

Here are two looks made with medium length dresses for occasions when one debates being overdressed vs. underdressed. Either would be a great choice for shopping with the girls, sightseeing on vacation, attending a casual outdoor evening gathering, OR??? As a bonus, both looks have all day well into the night staying power.

For a more casual and comfortable look, style the dress with high quality flat sandals and straw or bamboo bags as demonstrated in the two sets below. The voile tiered cami dress from Nicholas in set 1 and the striped cotton dress from Edit in set 2 both offer a flattering relaxed fit that’s perfect for a walk on the beach or exploring the place you are vacationing in.

Maxi dress

I love airy, versatile and fashionable clothing in the warm weather. Maxi dress is undoubtedly a wardrobe staple in the summer for women of all ages.

The following two outfits featuring striking patterns will guarantee that you stand out from the crowd. The Rochas printed maxi dress in set 1 and the Diane Von Furstenberg striped knot detail dress in set 2 both offer flowy and irrefutable feminine appeal. Pair them with flats or heels and accessorize with trendy bags and earrings for a stylish look for various special occasions.

If bold and bright colours and patterns are not for you, the breezy and simple maxi dresses featured in the two sets below are wonderful options.

A hat not only provides shade to your face on a hot summer day but also can upgrade the chic of the entire look. Perfect for having lunch or dinner on a patio.

Depending on where you live, you may experience a temperature drop in the evening. Opt for a long sleeve maxi dress like the Jacquemus striped knit maxi dress shown below. Layer it with a denim jacket or a blazer which can provide additional warmth without compromising in style.

About The Co-Author

Sharee Muench

Sharee works as a Controller by day and has been at her current job for 22 years. One of her great joys is spending time every Sunday putting together 5 outfits for next week’s “professional career woman” looks to wear. Not only does she select the clothes, she chooses matching bags and shoes. Then she decides on jewelry, maybe a scarf, sometimes even a hat.

She has 2 dogs that are the loves of her life. They both retired from their “jobs” last year. Before that, her girl dog was a top Agility dog in her breed. She and Sharee traveled almost every other weekend going to Agility trials. Her boy dog was a R.E.A.D. certified therapy dog. 2 nights a month, he and Sharee volunteered at a local library helping young children get over their fear of reading out loud in school by reading to a dog. The theory is that a dog does not make fun of them when they read, like other kids in school may do, so the dog builds their confidence.

Sharee’s love of fashion came from her mom who loves to sew and knit, and takes time to look perfectly put together even if she is just going to the grocery store. Sharee feels lucky that yet today, her mom still makes many of her clothes. These talents did not pass onto Sharee, but her sense of style did.