I admit—summer is not my favorite season. Even before I moved to south Texas (with its endless summer), I often felt like I never “did summer well.” Staying inside to avoid the heat gave me cabin fever, and I would long for the start of classes in the fall. Summer made me feel lethargic and static in my personal development, a feeling I can’t stand.
I’m still not crazy about summer, but these days I’m usually too busy to notice! Of course, the one thing I always loved about summer was the opportunity it brought to wear gorgeous dresses (you know, when I managed to leave the house!). If you’re like me and still not quite sure how you feel about summer, treat yourself to one of these hot weather-suited summer dresses, all of which are free of animal products. So even if summer brings struggle, at least you’ll be sizzling in the sartorial department.
7 Summer Dresses to Dazzle In
1. Guest of the Wedding Dress
ASOS Tall Swing Dress with Frill Hem and Wrap Tie
Light and romantic, this little frock can be dressed up or down, depending on your accessory and beauty choices. Add cork wedges and style your hair in beach waves, and you’re set for a more casual wedding. Throw your hair back in a chignon and slip into some scrappy heals and boom—cocktail attire!
2. Girls-Night-Out while Channeling the Glorious Nineties Dress
Delikate Rayne Ivory Satin Slip Dress
Does anyone else experience perpetual ’90s nostalgia? Channel your inner Rachel Green/Felicity Porter/Sabrina the Teenage Witch with this eco-conscious slip dress by vegan brand Delikate Rayne. (Pro tip: Blare some Paula Cole while you glam up for you night out.)
3. Slayin’ at the Swanky Bar Dress
Animal Behaviour Nocturnal Dress
Made with eco-fabric tencel, this elegant take on the Little Black Dress will highlight your curves while lending your entire look modern class. Vegan brand Animal Behaviour does an amazing job of creating unique investment pieces that cause as little harm to the environment as possible.
4. Outdoor Party on a Summer Day Dress
Made entirely of linen, this flirty-casual dress says summer like nothing else. If ever there was a dress that would make “freeing the midriff” less intimidating, this is the one.
5. Warning—May Inspire Lifestyle Envy Dress
Plenty by Tracy Rose Sungrove Maxi Dress
Perfect for your chill backyard parties and Instagrammed picnics, this floral maxi dress is as feminine as it is free-spirited. Plus, it probably looks good under any filter–not that you need one 🙂
6. No Summertime Sadness Here Dress
Vaute Couture Graham Dress in Fox Print
Made with recycled apricot satin and other recycled fibers by vegan brand Vaute Couture, this charming NYC-produced dress is a little bit retro and a-lot-a-bit joyful. Whether you’re channeling your inner manic pixie dream girl or just in search of a bit of whimsy, this dress will not disappoint. (Look at those foxes!)
7. 9-to-5 yet No Worries Dress
A lot of us are hustling at work—despite the soaring temps. But that doesn’t mean we can’t look divine (and professional) in a figure-flattering sheath. I think it’s fair to say that this dress can easily transition you from the office to cocktail hour. It may even score you a free drink 😉
Which of these summer dresses speaks to you?
More in Style: Vegan Party Ideas: Casual Summer Refreshments
5 Simple Ways to Kick Your Fast Fashion Addiction
5 Style Tricks for a Confidence Makeover
Get more like this–sign up for our newsletter for exclusive inspirational content!
__
Photos: Respective brands
