If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you know I’m usually super casual. The large majority of my posts feature outfits with jeans or some sort of denim shorts. It’s just how I roll. Occasionally I do share a t-shirt dress or a maxi dress, but even when I do show a dress, they are usually pretty casual.
HOWEVER.
On occasion, I do feature dresses that are a bit more fancy than a t-shirt dress. And I actually do get quite a few requests for dress recommendations for all sorts of events.
So, today is all about dresses!
I’m going to start out by featuring some new dresses, and then we’re going to take a look back at dresses I’ve featured over the last couple of months that are still available. I’m hoping it will be helpful to see all of these dresses rounded up in one spot! A 1 stop dress shop, if you will.
NEW DRESSES
I love a shift dress. It’s my very favorite kind of dress. Why? Because a shift dress disguises the belly and shows off the legs, and I usually want to do both. I always joke that I could weigh 3,200 pounds and would still have small legs. Every single ounce of weight would be in my belly, boobs, and face. #notcool This means that shift dresses are always my friend.
This one is great!
dress / turquoise earrings/ knotted bucket bag / must have wedges
This particular shift is long sleeve, but I will definitely wear it all the way through summer. It’s a light and airy cotton that is embroidered, so it still has a summery feel. When going to church or an event, if my legs are showing, I typically like to have my arms covered. Same can be said for the opposite situation. If my arms are bare, I like to have my legs covered. #yep #iamold
For size reference, I’m wearing an x-small, so I would definitely suggest sizing down at least 1 size. I’m almost 5’4″.
dress / turquoise earrings/ knotted bucket bag / must have wedges
You first saw this bag in my The Power of Accessories post last month, and I’m still having a lot of fun incorporating it into outfits. It’s great carried like this as well as a cross body. Click HERE to see it styled with jeans and a brightly colored cardi.
dress / turquoise earrings/ knotted bucket bag / must have wedges
This next dress surprised me. First of all, it’s ONLY $16.99, so my expectations weren’t super high. But I have to say, I was impressed!
It’s an embroidered print (not real embroidery), but I actually didn’t mind that like I thought I would. And I of course love that it’s a shift. It’s a cute little fit and perfect for a beach vacation! The ruffle hem sleeves are a pretty little feminine detail, and I like the fact that the sleeve goes down the arm (closer to the elbow). For size reference, I’m wearing a small and its a relaxed fit. And you can click HERE for the best strapless bra in the world.
off the shoulder beach dress / square beaded earrings / round rattan cross body / clutch with wooden ring / slide sandals
I did not keep this dress for myself, but I still thought it was worth sharing. The colors are gorgeous and vibrant, it’s 100% boho and has a quintessential Free People vibe. It’s strapless, but crazy comfortable with a stretchy and smocked back. And the front of the dress has the silicone sticky stuff on top to help the top of the dress stay put.
I thought this dress was a lot of fun, but it was just a little too much dress for me, especially on my 5’4″ frame. I think this would be really great for you taller gals. I’ve linked it to Lord + Taylor below (where I grabbed it), but it’s also available on the Free People site where it has excellent reviews if you want to check those out.
For size reference, I’m wearing a small, but it runs quite large. Definitely size down.
strapless maxi / turquoise earrings /must have denim jacket / reversible cognac tote / orange slide sandals
Next up, a DARLING floral skirt. The first thing you need to know is that it’s a pull on skirt with an elastic waist (and NO buttons or zippers). #fistbump #youarewelcome
I think it’s beautiful, and I love that it’s different than anything else that I currently have in my closet. The bold floral print with the soft blush background is such a great combination. And the elastic waist obviously means that it’s incredibly comfortable. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium in the skirt.
Also, pay attention to the jewelry in the picture. So pretty!
I. LOVE. THIS. OUTFIT.
white tee / earrings / necklace / must have denim jacket / pull on floral skirt / layered bracelet / reversible cognac tote / must have wedges
This smocked off the shoulder dress is gorgeous. I have trouble finding dresses with zippers that fit me (if I get it large enough in the chest, it’s often too big across the hips), so I particularly love dresses that just slip on. It’s sweetly smocked across the bodice and little cap sleeves, and the gauzy material can be dressed up or down. I dressed it down here, but it could be dressed up easily with a pair of heels and a sparkly clutch and jewelry.
For size reference, I’m wearing a small.
smocked maxi dress / coral and turquoise drop earrings / resin hex bangle/ coral clutch / must have wedges
I’ve got another skirt option for you! This striped skirt was darling, but even with my must have wedges it was too long for me. Still, I wanted to make sure you taller ladies saw it! I’m wearing a small.
white tee /square beaded earrings / must have denim jacket / pull on striped skirt/ round rattan cross body / layered bracelet / must have wedges
This is definitely on the dressier side, and I think it would be a great staple for many of us to have in our closets. It’s fully lined (you can see the black lining under the sheer top), and the flutter sleeves and hem are perfectly girly.
It doesn’t have any stretch in it, so I sized up to the medium (but this is actually often true to size for me in dresses like this). I picked up these super comfy block heels and this clutch for my upcoming Macy’s post, and I think they are awesome closet staples. The brand is know for shoes that are comfy, and these are stupid comfy. I’m definitely keeping them. They are $110 and perfect for office wear as well. I also love the blush and grey combo.
flutter sleeve embroidered dress / similar hot pink earrings / black envelope clutch / black block heels
Another awesome shift dress! I showed this to you in the blush floral a couple of week ago while wearing a size medium. Here I’m wearing a medium petite, but it’s not just shorter, it also seems to be pulling a bit across the chest. I guess I’m going to have to keep the regular medium in this dress.
If you are under 5’4″, the petite should be great for you!
split neck dress / rainbow beaded earrings / knotted bucket bag / must have wedges
This dress is stretchy, incredibly well made, and fits like a dream. The shoulders look like they are hanging down a bit too far, but that’s just because I didn’t have it zipped all the way since I was the only one at home. The navy and pink combination is very striking, and the bell sleeves are darling. I’m wearing a 6 in the dress.
This brand specializes in great dresses, and you can find other options HERE.
bell sleeve shift dress / similar hot pink earrings / hot pink heel options
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PREVIOUSLY HIGHLIGHTED DRESSES
The rest of the post is filled with dresses that you’ve seen me feature before, but I thought it might be helpful to see them all in one place. They are all currently available. I’ll link the original posts in case you want to click over for detailed thoughts and sizing information.
Click HERE for the original post.
floral maxi / denim jacket / turquoise beaded earrings / multi cord magnetic bracelet / orange suede slide sandals / blush pink tote
This dress is from last year, AND IT’S BACK! It was definitely a favorite of mine last year, and it became a fan favorite as well! And it’s 40% OFF right now!!!
You can see that it can easily be dressed up or down. I’m wearing it with turquoise earrings and wedges on the right, and pink heels and earrings on the right. It’s a great little black dress for lots of different occasions!
flutter sleeve tie waist dress
Need an easy dress? Look no further. This one is easy, breezy, and perfect for spring and summer. I’m wearing a small, but size down if between sizes.
Click HERE for the original post.
orange floral smocked dress / earrings ON SALE/ must have denim jacket (“sweet” wash) /navy and tan bag strap / zip top tote / must have wedges
This dress is an oldie, but goodie.
This is a great basic black dress that can easily be dressed up or down. You could even pair it with my favorite denim jacket and shoreline converse! It’s a great price for a wonderful basic at UNDER $50. I’m wearing a small in the dress, so it’s true to size for me.
crepe shift dress / must have wedges
Here’s one more that’s been around for awhile. It comes in 11 colors and is only $45! I sized up to a medium in this one, and it’s still a body conscious fit.
It somehow manages to be universally flattering on a myriad of body types. The ruching is magical.
body con tank dress / must have denim jacket (“sweet” wash)
I FOUND THIS ONE ON AMAZON! And it’s ONLY $18.99!!! It’s comfy, has a great swingy fit, and IT HAS POCKETS! For size reference, I’m wearing a small. (There’s another camo dress option HERE. It doesn’t have pockets and the pattern is a bit darker, but it’s under $15.)
Click HERE for the original post.
camo dress / earrings / must have denim jacket (“sweet” wash)/ round rattan cross body / slide sandals/ multicolor bracelet / solid bracelet
So when scrolling Amazon, I somehow stumbled upon this flutter sleeve dress. When I saw the fantastic reviews and the low LOW Price (UNDER $22!), I knew I wanted to give it a try. I almost ordered the black, because it’s my safe place….but I thought the red was darling.
The flutter sleeves are a little aggressive, but I actually like them. It’s not see through, and it’s a medium weight fabric. If you go check it out online and scroll down to the reviews, you can see it on lots of different people of different sizes and shapes (and in several different colors)!
I sized up to a medium, and I definitely needed it in the bust and for the length. I’m only 5’4″, so if you are really tall, this dress probably won’t work for you.
And let me say it again. It’s UNDER $22!!! Soooooooooooooooo many readers got this dress and love it too!
Click HERE for the original post.
red flutter sleeve dress / multicolor beaded tassel earrings / must have wedges
This DARLING jumpsuit isn’t a dress, but I’m including it because it totally functions like one. Sizes keep going in and out of stock (my guess is some random returns that are popping up), so if your size isn’t currently available, just keep checking!
And if your size is available, get it now because it won’t last long. It’s a great ponte knit, and I LOVE THE FIT. I mean, it makes me feel taller and skinnier than I’ve ever felt in my life! #FORREAL
It is effortlessly chic, and I cannot wait to wear it. It feels like luxurious pajamas. I’m telling you, it’s AMAZING. It’s stretchy, comfy, has an elastic waist, AND POCKETS!
I’m wearing a medium because I ordered up to make sure I had plenty of room in the chest. I need to get it hemmed, but I didn’t want to get the petite and have it be too short. I’m 5’4″ and wearing really tall wedges! (If you don’t need extra room in the chest, I wouldn’t size up. Just stick with your regular size.)
And now that we are heading into off the shoulder and spaghetti strap season, go ahead and get this strapless bra. I’ve talked about it on the blog countless times, but it will change how you feel about strapless bras. It’s so comfy, I don’t have to pull it up, and I sometimes wear it even when a strapless isn’t required. IT’S THAT GOOD.
Click HERE for the original post.
off the shoulder jumpsuit courtesy of Gibson (plus size jumpsuit HERE) / bracelets / earrings / wedges
Since the above is having stock issues, you can click HERE for a super similar version that looks to be fully stocked!
I’m totally smitten with this dress from the LIY collection. I’m in a medium. The dress is fully lined and beautifully made. Perfect for church, showers, graduation, etc.
Click HERE for the original post.
floral shift dress courtesy of Gibson (plus size dress HERE)/ favorite earrings / must have wedges
Want a super cute t shirt dress for $16.99? I GOT YOU.
It’s super soft, it comes in 13 colors, AND IT HAS POCKETS. I’m wearing a medium in this dress, but I’m pretty sure I need the small.
Click HERE for the original post.
t shirt dress / must have denim jacket (“sweet” wash) / tassel necklace / favorite earrings / round straw bag/ slide sandals
CHECK OUT THIS DRESS!
It’s a really soft jersey fabric, has a swingy fit, and will be perfect to throw on for an instant outfit! Paired with my denim jacket, my favorite tassel necklace, and some shoreline converse….you can’t go wrong. In the summer, it will also look great with wedges or sandals. Heck, it would even work with flip flops at the beach!
And listen to this…THIS DRESS IS ONLY $18! And it comes in 12 colors. For size reference, I’m wearing a small
Click HERE for the original post.
t shirt dress / my favorite tassel necklace / denim jacket / shoreline converse / cross body bag
LADIES! This dress is adorable and an incredible deal at just under $65. The bodice is fully lined (except for the last couple inches of hem) and the lace is so pretty. The sleeves are absolutely gorgeous. They are fitted up top and then bell out to a slim and understated bell. It’s a really pretty look.
I sized up to a medium (lots of reviewers said it ran small), but even the medium was pretty snug on me.
It slips on over the head, which I actually prefer to a zipper. The material does have a tiny bit of give, but like I said, even the medium was a bit snug. Keep in mind that dresses tend to run small on me (because of my boobs and rib cage). I love the white, but it also comes in navy and a light pink.
Click HERE for the original post.
white lace dress / green earrings / must have wedges
THIS ONE IS A SHOW STOPPER Y’ALL! This long Mexican embroidered dress is begging to be taken on a beach vacation. It’s meant to be worn off the shoulder (seen on left), but I thought it was just as cute worn on the shoulder too (on the right)!
The dress is stunning. It is very well made and the embroidery work is beautiful. For size reference, I’m wearing a small. In this picture, I’m wearing it with my must have wedges and it’s still plenty long on me. I’ll wear it with flat sandals too, even though it will be quite long without the wedge.
I haven’t washed it yet, but it has perfect reviews, and one person talked about how it washed perfectly with no color bleeding.
If you don’t like the length, it comes in a short version in several colors (white, turquoise, red, navy, and black) too!
The colors are BEAUTIFUL, the embroidery work is GORGEOUS, and the dress is FABULOUS.
Click HERE for the original post.
long Mexican embroidered dress / earrings / blush and gold stretch bracelet set / wire bracelet set / must have wedges
Do you remember my short sleeve short t-shirt dress from Amazon? Well, here’s the sleeveless maxi version! I think they are both really great closet staples. I’m wearing a small in the dress, so I think it’s true to size.
This side slit maxi is AWESOME. And it’s ONLY $24! Check out the picture on the right to see the cut.
I thought it looked great paired with my white denim jacket.
Click HERE for the original post.
sleeveless maxi dress (with side slit) / multicolor beaded tassel earrings / white denim jacket / straw circle tote / low profile wedges (my color is “Tan Nbpu*t”)
Here’s the same sleeveless maxi from above, but with my must have denim jacket and a cross body bag and strap.
Click HERE for the original post.
sleeveless maxi dress / earrings ON SALE/ must have denim jacket (“sweet” wash) /brown, tan, and green bag strap / zip top tote / must have wedges
And how about this super casual tie dyed maxi? I’m wearing it with wedges here, but looking at the picture, I think it would be much cuter worn casually with flat sandals or even Converse. I love the pockets, the v neck, and the overall fit.
It is stretchy and light weight, but it’s not see thru. And I like how it’s not baggy, but it’s also not form fitting at all. You could wear this dress out and about, you could wear it to the beach, it would be awesome for travel days, and you could also just lounge around in it at home. This is a great dress!
If you click to the site and scroll down to read the reviews, you will see lots of different pictures of the dress on lots of different body types!
Click HERE for the original post.
tie die maxi dress / white earrings / must have wedges
Another skirt!
Click HERE for the original post.
You are My Sunshine tee/multicolored raffia hoop earrings/ frayed hem denim skirt (plus size KUT denim skirt options) / camo bag strap / zip top tote / cognac slide sandals
I WANTED TO SHOW YOU ANOTHER FAVORITE FROM LAST YEAR THAT IS BACK IN STOCK!
I’m wearing a petite small here, and I’m 5’4″. It’s definitely on the shorter side.
Click HERE for the most recent post about this dress.
t shirt shift dress / similar cross body bag / shoreline converse / my favorite no show socks
I love a classic shirt dress, and this one checks all the boxes. It’s comfortable, it’s soft, it’s flattering, it’s a perfect length (not too short, not too long), and it can easily be dressed up or down.
The waist cinches in to give you some shape and make it just right for you, which I love. It drapes beautifully, doesn’t seem to wrinkle easily, and y’all know I always love a roll tab sleeve. This dress is effortlessly cute. For size reference, I’m wearing a small.
Click HERE for the original post.
my outfit: shirt dress / sunglasses / earring options / cognac tote option / gold stretch bracelet / cognac wedges
Carter’s outfit: plaid button up / khaki shorts
My friend Cassie’s collections have several dresses in them, but this striped number with the darling ruffled little sleeves grabbed me immediately. Head to the site to see how cute the back is!
The dress is incredibly soft and comfortable. I wear my regular size small.
Click HERE for the original post.
must have denim jacket / round pink tassel earrings / striped dress (plus size here!) / tassel necklace / yellow slide sandals / colorful clutch
And here’s the dress on me. Cute, and it feels like a great night shirt. #winwin
must have denim jacket / wooden hoop earrings / striped dress / tassel necklace / yellow slide sandals/ colorful clutch
And in pink!
ruffle racer back dress / green earrings / must have jacket / cognac slide sandals
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WHEW!
I just showed y’all 30 dresses/skirts across all price points (some UNDER $20!, and for all different sorts of occasions!
If you are searching for a dress for an upcoming event, I’m hoping that today’s post has you covered. Whether you need something for a casual outdoor barbecue, a wedding shower, church, or graduation…there was plenty to choose from today!
