Nothing screams spring and summer like a little white dress. White is always in style in the warmer months, but this season it will be everywhere. I love white dresses because they are so versatile and go everywhere from a walk in the park to a fancy dinner. I was looking for a white dress to buy and I came up with a lot of options, so I thought I would share my favorite 10 little white dresses with you.
Abi Ferrin ‘Nikki’ 5-Way Dress. This dress is totally cool. It has two sleeves, but you can wrap one around your waist for a one-shouldered look. It also has a long tie to create many other looks (turn it into a tunic, a Grecian column and more. There’s a video where you can see how to style it), and the jersey material is very flattering and great for travel. This dress also comes in black. Free shipping and free returns. $258
BB Dakota ‘Fareeda’ Split Sleeve Belted Dress. This is a feminine but modern silhouette, and the accordion style skirt is very forgiving. Free shipping and free returns. $88
Jill Stuart Ruffled Chiffon Fit & Flare Dress. This is also a flattering dress. The chiffon ruching will hide a tummy and the full skirt is great for pear shapes. I will style this with a boyfriend blazer or a fitted blazer, an oversized denim shirt that I will tie at the waist or a long cardigan. Very versatile! Free shipping and free returns. $238
Cynthia Steffe ‘Brooklyn’ Lace Sheath Dress. The gentle pleats on this dress make for an easy and flattering fit. I love that the silhouette is very Audrey Hepburn, but the black abstract pattern makes it modern. Free shipping and free returns. $248
MICHAEL by Michael Kors Eyelet Dress. Talk about easy and breezy, there are a hundred places to wear this dress! It will definitely be coming on my trip to Aruba over July 4th. I will wear it with flip flops for a really steamy day or with strappy sandals and some oversized bracelets for a dinner out. Free shipping and free returns. $160
MICHAEL by Michael Kors Eyelet Shift Dress. Eyelet can sometimes be juvenile, but Michael Kor’s version is all grown up. I love the shape of this shift; it’s not too caftan like but it will let me eat pasta for brunch without worrying that I’m letting it all hang out. Free shipping and free returns. $160
Trina Turk ‘Wakeboard’ Lace Shift Dress. There’s a part of me that loves a hippy look, but I don’t feel like me when I wear it. This is a hippy-meets-city-chic dress and it’s so me! I am naturally pale, so sometimes I don’t like letting too much skin show, but this dress is the perfect compromise! Free shipping and free returns. $358
Halston Heritage Belted Shirtdress. This shirtdress is menswear inspired, but still has lots of feminine details, including the layers and the belt in the photo. Free shipping and free returns. $375
rag & bone ‘The Norfolk’ Denim Dress. I think this shirtdress is so chic, but I don’t love the way it’s styled in this photo. I would wear it as a vest with leather leggings or tied low on the waist. It would also be really cute with a low slung belt and Grecian sandals. Free shipping and free returns. $195
Catherine by Catherine Malandrino ‘Tracy’ Dress. The juxtaposition between the classic shape and the modern lace makes this dress trés chic. I loooove Catherine Malandrino, and the fact that she has a line with lower prices is trés exciting. Free shipping and free returns. $158
Summer, here we come!
xoxo
Illysia
love them all! enjoyed the the blog..
Thanks Jane!
Thanks, Illysia. Love it for EU. I’ll wear it with a cashmere cardigan or a cropped black jacket. I’m planning on going to Nordstrom next week and will check it out.
Keep me posted!
Hi illysia, love ur posts. Wondering if u would ever do one on middleaged women, seems like everything is too short, too tight, or too juvenile. We wanna look stylish, jeans, scarves, leather jacket, boots, etc. but whe it comes to cocktail dresses, special occasion nothing! U know the upscale shops in our area, I’ve looked everywhere, we have the money to spend at our age. We want to look sexy yet not ridiculous, is it the buyers or designers? Really disappointed in morristown nj, help! 🙂
Hi Maria,
If you like a dress, click on the photo or hyperlink to look at the information and see the length. The models are usually over 6 feet tall, so what looks super short on them might be slightly above the knee on someone who is 5″7 or over the knee on someone who is 5″4.
I do try to include a broad range of items that are flattering for different figures and ages. I recommended the first dress to a friend who is 51, she tried it on and fell in love with it. I recommended she wear it as a tunic with skinny jeans or leggings or as a dress with tights and boots. She can dress it up with jewelry, or dress it down with a scarf. As a bonus, it’s a great dress to camouflage a tummy. Maybe you should consider it? It comes in black as well. Also, I find Bloomingdales and Macy’s both have great fancy dresses. Maybe I should do a post on special occasion dresses since wedding season is coming up!
My mother is a woman “of a certain age” and wears dresses and skirts just above the knee, skinny jeans (with longer tops), even leather pants, and she is my style icon. It’s a matter of your style and how you feel about yourself. Feel free to email me a photo of yourself at illysia@madlychic.com and maybe I can help you further:-)
I want the Cynthia Steffe “Broklyn” Lace Sheath Dress. Not sure if it’s a good shape for my petite height.
That dress would definitely work on a petite figure!! It’s a great dress for a Europe trip!
So Cute!
🙂