Photos by iStock/Julia Stankeych/Deagreez/Nurdanst
Now that summer is here, it’s time to ditch the sweatpants in favor of cute dresses.
While you can never go wrong with a cotton or linen number to beat the heat, there are a host of styles to choose from that are classic, on trend or both. We spoke to Kim Rodriguez, personal stylist and shopper of Miami’s KR Personal Style, about the top styles to try now.
Post-Pandemic Chic
As we hopefully move further into a post-pandemic world, a few summer dress styles are going to be trendy and generous in terms of fit. "[Shirtdresses are] always stylish, but coming out of a pandemic, when people have been in sweatpants, loungy, casual clothes, that’s a very easy style to go into because it’s comfortable,
it’s not fitted, it’s typically in cotton or linen so the fabrics breathe really nicely, they feel nice on your skin, it allows for some easy weight gain or weight loss,” Rodriguez says. Similar are dresses with voluminous cuts, like caftans, tiered dresses and dresses with stylishly gathered smocking. “It’s comfortable and it’s stylish and it helps allow for changes in our bodies,” Rodriguez says.
Great Lengths
Maxi dresses are a staple by summer dress standards, but the midi style, reaching the mid-calf, is also a new classic. For summer 2021, Rodriguez says their shorter sister is also in the mix, but don’t worry if that’s not for you. “Minis [aren’t] going to be appropriate for everyone, but we will see a lot more of that for the spring,” she says. “That’s a big push for spring and summer. If that’s not for a particular person, there’s always going to be something in the stores that’s appropriate for everyone.” Expect to see some slits in all these styles of dresses as well.
Bold or Bust
Now that we’re outside more than we have been in the last year, count on a parade of bold colors — even more so than our summers of the recent past. “This particular year it’s vibrant colors, especially bright, bright pinks. You’ll see a lot of that. You’ll still see your pastels, but I think after the year 2020 people are ready for some brightness and freshness,” Rodriguez says. It’s time to have fun with your color palette, also adding to your bright pinks some exciting yellows and cool aquas.