When it comes to selecting good clothes for summer, there are 3 main qualities I look for: breathable, stylish, and easy to maintain. There is no better piece that matches this criteria than the classic cotton maxi dress. I love how easy this piece goes with any look, and luckily, I can always count on my favorite retailers to carry good options each summer.
Last summer, my most worn piece of the season was easily my cotton black midi dress (above, and reviewed HERE). It is a sturdy, double-lined dress that is machine-washable. I love dressing it with a denim jacket, and never have to worry about fly-aways. Whenever I was looking for a stylish outfit that I didn’t need to put much thought into, this dress came to mind.
J. Crew Factory offers a similar style this year with flutter shoulder sleeves, and for only a fraction of the price compared to the famous Hillhouse Nap Dress. Linking my favorite picks here:
*Hillhouse uses poplin, which is a tightly woven cotton fabric that feels crisp to touch. The J. Crew Factory version uses a lighter cotton fabric (double-lined), so there are some differences. However, I still find theirs very comfortable, and the silhouette is similar.
Cotton Maxi Dresses from J. Crew Factory
If you are looking for cotton maxi dresses with a bit more ‘fun,’ this cut-out white sundress was another summer favorite. And you’re in luck, Bloomingdale’s carries this one again in blue too!
ADDITIONAL COTTON MAXI SUNDRESSES
It seems like many brands are offering cotton sundresses this season, so I researched a handful of styles that have positive reviews. I am looking to add a few more colors to my closet, and these are some that I would consider:
SHOP MY SUMMER UNIFORM
Just putting this collage together reminded me of how many days I dress like this in the summer 😛 All pieces are pretty affordable, and I highly recommend this simple formula: denim jacket, cotton maxi/midi dress, neutral backpack + sandals.
