I love a simple white dress that’s easy to slip on for any occasion during the summer. It’s a fresh look that can be worn so many ways, it ends up being a smart purchase because it helps utilize other items in your closet to be worn with it. I had a white dress with a flared skirt that I wore for many years and had seen better days, so I decided to get a new one and it’s quite perfect.
After considering many options, including buying and returning this one from Nordstrom (so sheer!), I bought this seersucker one from Gap. The seersucker is more of a very subtle stripe and less of a seersucker texture. It fits great, is fully lined, and has a flattering flared skirt. It’s on sale right now for $29.39 on the website with code “BETTER”. I highly recommend it, especially for that price!
When looking for a white dress and styling it, here are my do’s and don’t’s:
DO:
- Look for a dress that is fully lined. You won’t want to wear a slip during the warmer months, nor do you want any undergarments showing. This is your #1 priority, so stay away from anything sheer.
- Consider a “fit and flare” shape. While I love white dresses of all shapes and types (shirt dresses, shift dresses, etc.) I think a fit and flare is flattering on nearly everyone and gives it a fun summer vibe.
- Pick one that’s versatile. My dress can be easily dressed up for a Sunday morning, or dressed down if I’m attending a grad party. It also helps pull from other items in my closet to style it since it’s a neutral.
DON’T:
- Wear a white dress of any type to a wedding, bridal shower, or anything wedding related where you aren’t the bride. No accessory will make it “OK”, just don’t do it.
- Buy linen unless you love to iron. My last white dress was linen and there was a whole process of starching & ironing it to death before wearing it, and then it just wrinkled again.
- Leave the house without a “tide to-go” pen. They are a life saver – I have one in my purse and one in my car and I’ve relied on them many times in emergencies!
Do you have a favorite white dress?
13 Comments on The White Dress of Summer
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[…] I still follow while wearing white in the fall and winter months. I have a favorite white, cotton dress that is perfectly lightweight for summer, but would be challenging to wear in the winter even with […]
Michaela
June 8, 2015 at 10:56 pm (8 years ago)That dress is so cute! Love the wedges. Your styling tips are perfect – NO WHITE TO WEDDINGS.
Michaela || The Monogrammed Midwesterner
thedressdecoded
June 10, 2015 at 12:40 pm (8 years ago)Thank you so much!! 🙂
Suzanne
June 9, 2015 at 7:47 am (8 years ago)Very cute dress on you. Love your style as well! I tried the code “BETTER” but it said it was invalid. Not sure why. 🙁
thedressdecoded
June 10, 2015 at 12:39 pm (8 years ago)Oh no! It worked for me when I tried it. 🙁 See if it’s in any stores locally, it may even be more on sale in-store. I’ve seen this one in stores and its basically the same thing but has a really pretty cut out detail on the skirt – http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?vid=1&pid=227521012
Rebecca
June 9, 2015 at 9:31 am (8 years ago)What an adorable dress!! As a wedding planner, I very much appreciate your comment about not wearing white to anything wedding related!!! I have brides tell me all the time how frustrating it is!
thedressdecoded
June 10, 2015 at 12:40 pm (8 years ago)Oh my goodness seriously! I have yet to go to a wedding where the bride is the only one wearing white, even in the winter! I’m glad you feel the same way.
Cynthia
June 9, 2015 at 10:11 am (8 years ago)I so agree about linen! it’s the prettiest, but it’s the worst when it comes to wrinkles! Im so glad someone else is out there who knows the importance of wearing a slip and or having a lined white dress.
Cynthia
http://www.darlingdownsouth.com
thedressdecoded
June 10, 2015 at 12:41 pm (8 years ago)Yes agreed! Good thing my husband loves to iron, but I gave him a break and retired the old linen white dress. 😀
Lynn
June 17, 2015 at 9:23 am (8 years ago)Hi! I was wondering if you know of any similar white dress alternatives for my bridal shower? I ordered this exact one from Gap and unfortunately even the smallest size was too big. Thank you 🙂
thedressdecoded
June 18, 2015 at 9:43 am (8 years ago)I’m sorry to hear it didn’t work out! 🙁
Congrats on being the bride! How fun! I love these –
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/adelyn-rae-off-the-shoulder-layered-sheath-dress/4027938?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=WHITE&resultback=2481
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/kut-from-the-kloth-evelyn-sheath-dress/4017827?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=2880
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/soprano-pleated-skater-dress/3985797?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=3251
I know Ann Taylor Loft will carry really small sizes / petite, I would look there too!!
Lynn
June 19, 2015 at 7:18 am (8 years ago)These are perfect! Thanks so much for your help 🙂
thedressdecoded
June 20, 2015 at 3:28 pm (8 years ago)of course! thank you for reading!