The warm, glorious spring air can mean only one thing: it’s time to break out the sundresses. They’ve paid their dues hung in the back of closets and tucked away in storage bins under our beds for several long months, so the least we can do for them is wake them from their hibernation and take them out for some fresh air! While the allure of a one-step outfit is nearly irresistible, putting a little more effort into your sundress outfit can give it extra oomph and amp up your style factor. Read on for some awesome ways to wear a sundress this summer!
1. Under a killer blazer
Take your look from day to night with a structured blazer. Bonus style points if your blazer is in an interesting color or has an atypical cut! We’re dying over this blazer from DailyLook ($44.99), which is the perfect mix of professional and chic.
2. With your favorite sneakers
Engage your inner Tumblr-obsessed hipster self (it’s there inside all of us) and pair a flowy sundress ($32) with your favorite sneakers, like these Vans ($45).
3. Drop it to the floor
Try a maxi dress, especially at night, to amp up your ensemble. This maxi from ModCloth ($59.99) is oh-so-pretty and perfect for an evening garden party.
4. Off the shoulder
A sundress with an eye-catching cut like this off-the-shoulder skater dress ($72.41) from ASOS will stand out from the crowd this summer. Wear it out with the girls or on a date with the cute boy you meet at the beach!
5. With a slouchy sweater
We love the look of a feminine dress paired with a unisex sweater, like ThreadSence’s boyfriend cardigan ($44). It’s cozy and just nonchalant enough to make it seem like you “woke up like this.”
6. Daring on date night
Who says sundresses have to be sweet and innocent? For nighttime excursions, don something a little sexier, like a sassy skater dress ($35.98). You can make your date-night dress a bit spicier without showing too much skin!
7. Prep it up
Collegiettes across the country love them some Lilly Pulitzer. A super-preppy dress is very appropriate during the summer months. You’ll wear this cute and flirty sundress ($148) with a sweet strand of pearls all summer long—we promise!
8. In an unconventional fabric
The ‘90s have made a comeback, in case you haven’t heard. Stay on top of the revived trend with an overall dress like this one ($22.80) from Forever 21! It’s a stylish take on the overalls we wore as kids, but much more flattering.
9. Shine in summery white
Embrace the season with a white sundress. A folksy one like this one from ModCloth ($57.99) will carry you from summer classes to drinks to concerts and back again. We love its versatility, and we know you’ll wear it again and again!
10. With a cute and classy cardigan
At your summer internship or job, wearing a dress makes getting ready in the morning super easy. In more conservative office environments, however, baring your sun-kissed shoulders can be inappropriate. Even in casual offices, it’s always important to look professional! To dress up a sundress without looking too dowdy, add a cardigan, like one from J.Crew ($75).
11. Underneath a bomber jacket
We love the pairing of an uber-sweet sundress and a super-BA bomber jacket, like this version ($58) from ThreadSence.
12. Paired with ladies-who-lunch tweed
Coco Chanel did tweed the best, but since her classic jackets aren’t in most collegiettes’ budgets, try wearing your sundress under an updated version of Chanel’s famous jacket from Gap ($64.99). A youthful cut will keep you looking your age but still give you a little bit of that Jackie O style cred.
No matter how you style your sundress, you’re bound to look fab. It’s one of the most versatile things you can have in your closet! Stay chic, collegiettes!