Five staple summer dresses to show off your curves

From the best everyday t-shirt dress to an effortless showstopper!

June 4, 2021 11:52 a.m. EST

It's officially summer dress weather! Our style expert Meredith Shaw believes a dress is the easiest way to dress - it's one piece, so you don't need to think about what goes with what. They are generally a much easier piece to order online without trying on because they are a more forgiving fit. They are generally more timeless and less trend-driven so you can get more wear over multiple years. Not sure what to look for in a good summer dress? Meredith shows off five staple summer dresses to show off your curves!

1) The T-shirt Dress

This is the summer t-shirt dress we all need in our wardrobe (with a stellar size range of 00-40). This Geneva dress is a best seller for good reason because it's a t-shirt dress with shape - the side swoop is the secret to its flattering silhouette. Styled with a super casual baseball cap and runners, this look gives us very cool girl NY vibes!

SHOP: Universal Standard T-shirt Dress, $150

2) The Smocked Dress

Let's talk about the phenomenon that is the 'nap dress.' This style has sold out time and time again by Hillhouse, and now we are seeing so many homages pop up everywhere like this one by Eloquii. The mid-length with smocked bodice is perfect for curvy ladies, and the frill at the shoulder adds a little flare. This monochromatic lavender vibe has us stopping and smelling the flowers!

SHOP: Eloquii Smocked Dress, $120

3) The Sweet Spot Dress

Have your summer peek-a-boo moment with 'the sweet spot dress.' This dress has the best of both worlds, with straps thick enough to wear a bra, and the tie allows you to go bra-free. This look from City Chic Dress and a flirty red lip—do we need to say more?

SHOP: City Chic Dress, $119

4) The Showstopper Dress

Ready to live your best caftan life? We're bringing Palm Springs to you with this showstopping look from Gussied Up. This beauty will have everyone turning their heads and stopping to ask "where did you get this!?"

SHOP: Gussied Up Maxi Dress, $122

5) The Floral Dress

This light and flowy fabric is everywhere right now, and it's perfect for those hot summer days! The best thing about a floral dress like this one from Addition Elle, is that you can style it so many ways—from dressing it up with heels to keeping it simple with no accessories. Add in some edgy accessories to completely transform the look, giving off more of a badass floral goddess vibe.