“The best summer dress would be the jersey dress,” says Allyson Brown. “You can wear day and night. It’s light weight and still has that body-con feel without being too tight! I tend to buy in a variety of colors and patterns to have as a key staple for the summer.”
Sporty jersey midi dress, Topshop, $52, topshop.com.
“I’ve got a huge crush on cut-out bodycon dresses for summer,” gushes ESSENCE’s PR girl Chloe Williams. “They’re effortlessly chic with just the right amount of skin showing, less is more, and they make you feel like all the work in the gym over the winter has paid off!”
Midi dress, Topshop, $80, topshop.com.
I live in dresses in the summer months, so when I’m looking for the perfect ones to fill my closet, I start with a wrap dress because it flatters my full figure and top-heavy frame. Next up, I search for one with a lightweight or breathable material so the dress hugs my curves but allows them to breath too. What’s more fierce than that?! — Charli Penn, Relationships Editor ESSENCE.com
Draped-front bodycon dress, Forever21, $23, forever21.com.
“My favorite dress silhouette is a fit and flare. It accentuates the waist and is forgiving in all the right places,” explains Associate Market Editor Reneise Francis.” “The fitted top keeps me chic and tailored while the loose skirt gives me room to put a little swing in my step. I love the girly retro style of this dress, it’s so perfect for a summer wedding. Oh, and the bust is just right for maintaining the girls.”
Floral swing dress, Stop Staring!, $174, stopstaring.com.
“I’m all about mini skater dresses in the summer,” says Hair & Beauty Editor, Deena Campbell. “The ones with cinched waists are particularly fun because they create curves and give me legs for days!”
Skater dress, Ted Baker, $123, tedbaker.com.
