As a rule of thumb, I used to avoid wearing black in the summer because it absorbs heat. However, after seeing cotton dresses become a trend this season, I decided to give this adorable smocked midi dress a try. And now, I can say it has become one of my favorite fashion purchases of the summer. Last year, I wrote a post comparing the quality of J. Crew Factory to J. Crew. This Factory dress is an affordable, high-quality find that I am super satisfied with. Below is a review on the fit and style, as well as a few other cotton summer dresses I found this summer at various price points.
I was comfortable buying this dress online because the smocked bodice and flared skirt are pretty forgiving. Most reviewers found this dress ran true to size, so I ordered a S. Fit was just right.
The dress has a tiered edge, which I thought added a nice feminine touch. The fabric of the skirt is 100% cotton, a rare find given the price point. It is also fully lined, whereas the bodice is smocked. Currently, this style is on sale for under $40 so I would grab it now before it runs out!
If you are into the cottagecore aesthetic this season, the dress also comes in a green gingham print for only $29.99.
You will notice throughout the year that J. Crew Factory offers several similar products to J. Crew. While the quality is not always an exact match, I think this affordable find was well-spent. For comparison, J. Crew offers a few other smocked, poplin dresses this summer. The fabric is good quality, but the Factory find is not too shabby for the price point.
J. Crew Factory Smocked Top Midi Dress | Colorblock Espadrilles | Straw Beach Tote
Jenni Kayne: ($$$) I have been hearing raving reviews about this brand through other bloggers. Definitely comes at a higher price point, but I do think their Summer Dress is pretty cute.
Mango: ($$) I browsed their site recently was surprised by how many gorgeous cotton dresses they had. Not sure if people are aware of the assortment, but most of them were under $100.
Hillhouse: ($$) Apparently this brand is the originator of the ‘nap dress.’ Of all the styles shared so far, this one is probably closest in appearance to the J. Crew Factory midi dress I purchased. 3x the price, but I have heard great things about the brand and love that they use a Swiss dot fabric. There is also a bit of ruffle at the sleeve, which I like.
Bloomingdale’s: ($$) Their private label brand AQUA has a bunch of great options for under $100. To be honest, I was eyeing a handful myself until I found the J. Crew Factory version for under $50.
Hope you enjoyed this round-up of cotton summer dresses! It was definitely striking to me to see so many similar styles offered by different brands. Definitely a trend that I hope is here to stay.
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