Cute, Affordable Dresses for Effortless Summer Style

Cute, Affordable Dresses for Summer - Casual and Dressy Casual

Cute and Affordable Dresses for Summer

Huge thanks to ShopStyle for sponsoring this post!

You guys, I love adding a couple of new dresses to my closet every season!  I often say the way I build my wardrobe is by starting with a steady foundation of basics, then I sprinkle in more affordable, trendier pieces that get rotated in and out each season.  That allows me to keep my wardrobe fresh without buying a whole new wardrobe.

Each summer, I usually sprinkle in a couple of new dresses.  My family’s summer calendar has been really full and is starting to pick up even more, and in really busy seasons, dresses make life so easy!  Since dresses are just one piece, there is very little thinking involved to look put together.  Throw it on, add a necklace and shoes, then BAM–you’re out the door looking cute!  Plus, they can cover you for both casual and dressy casual occasions.  Versatile and effortless?  Yes, please!

In case you’re in need of effortless style, today I’m partnering with ShopStyle to share some super affordable dresses from Target to make life easy!  Target is SUCH a great place to go to add those trendier pieces without breaking the bank.  Love it!  ALL of the dresses and shoes I’m wearing today are under $25, so let’s get to them!

SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes, 8.5 to 9 in shoes.

 

dusty pink swing dress + white sandals + macrame handbag +long pendant necklace macrame handbag + white sandals + dusty pink swing dress + long pendant necklace dusty pink swing dress + macrame handbag + white sandals

Dress #1: Jersey Knit Dress
Yall know I love a good soft, comfy dress, and this one is AWESOME!

Comfy dresses like these are so, so good for everyday wear.  They seriously feel like you’re wearing pajamas!  You can dress them down with white sneakers, or elevate them a bit with white sandals and a necklace like I did here.  Super, super easy!

I have many comfy dresses in this shape, but this one is AWESOME.  The cut is flattering, the length is perfect for me at 5’6″, and the material is thicker and buttery!  This one comes in black, cobalt blue, and this very pretty pink.  The pink is a little more muted in person than we were able to capture in pics, similar to what’s shown on Target’s site HERE.  And it’s only $14.99!!!  I wear size S.

Shop The Outfit
Dress: Target (exact-size S)
 Sandals: Target (exact-size 9)
Bag: Target (exact)
Necklace: (similar)

 

brown orange floral wrap dress + taupe block heel sandals + cognac clutch taupe block heel sandals + brown orange floral wrap dress + cognac clutch brown orange floral wrap dress + cognac clutch + taupe block heel sandalsbrown orange floral wrap dress + earrings + cognac clutch

Dress #2: Lightweight Printed Dress w/ Details
This little dress is SO cute and lightweight for summer.  It’s made of rayon, which elevates it a bit from the jersey swing dress I showed earlier.  But, it’s still casual enough to dress down for everyday wear.  It’s also a true wrap dress, with a button on the inside and a tie waistband on the outside.  (That makes it somewhat breastfeeding friendly if you can untie it enough to breastfeed without undoing the whole thing. 😜) The wrap detail also helps elevate it from a plain dress.  Another bonus to wrap dresses is that they are VERY figure flattering as they create a shape that nips in near the waist and accentuates curves.  If you need a dress with more shape and structure, definitely try a wrap dress!

I dressed it up for a baby shower or bridal shower with nude heels, a clutch, and white statement earrings.  You could also dress it down for a cute, dressy casual look with a tote and flat sandals.  Dresses are easy!

See the dress HERE.  I wear size M.  BTW, if dresses in this material tend to shrink after washing for you, USE A CLOTHING STEAMER!  It will relax the fibers and extend it a whole 1-2″! 🙌🏽

Shop The Outfit
Dress: Target (exact-size M)
Block Heel Sandals: Target (exact-size 9)
Bag: (similar)

 

grey and white striped dress + white sandals + long pendant necklace + white macrame handbaggrey and white striped dress + long pendant necklace + white macrame handbag + white sandalsgrey and white striped dress + long pendant necklace + white macrame handbag

Dress #3: Cotton
This dress is not available online anymore, but I need to tell you about it so you could hunt it down in store because it’s SO, SO cute!  It’s 100% cotton, which is another lightweight option for summer.  Another reason I love cotton dresses is because they toe the line of casual and dressy, but not too dressy.  The dress is very wide, so tying the waistband is key to creating some much needed shape.  I’m wearing M above, but was later able to find size S which I think fits better.  See the dress HERE.  And if you can’t find it in store, there are a couple of similar ones online HERE and HERE!

I kept it simple with white accessories.  These sandals are fairly comfy with a soft, flexible sole and flexible footbed.  I added this cream macrame bag, which goes with SO many things and instantly makes outfits feel summery!  Such a great piece.

Wear this outfit to brunch, church, or lunch with friends!

Shop The Outfit
Dress: Target (exact-size M, need a S, similar, similar)
 Sandals: Target (exact-size 8.5)
Bag: Target (exact)
Necklace: (similar)

 

black floral wrap dress + taupe block heel sandals + pendant necklace + denim jacket + cognac clutch black floral wrap dress + pendant necklace + taupe block heel sandals + cognac clutch + denim jacket taupe block heel sandals + black floral wrap dress + pendant necklace + cognac clutchblack floral wrap dress + taupe block heel sandals + denim jacket + cognac clutch

Dress #4: Lightweight Printed Dress w/ Details
This dress is the same as Dress #2, but I wanted to show you this print, too.  This one can be worn for daytime events or evening.  Same flattering silhouette and lightweight material!  It’s good for really hot climates but can be paired with a denim jacket or suede moto jacket if you need an extra layer.

These heels are also from Target, and this color goes with just about everything.  They’ve got a nice, low block heel, so they are easy to walk in.  Nude heeled sandals like these are my go-to choice for dressier looks!  Find them HERE.  I wear size 9.

Shop The Outfit
Dress: Target (exact-size M
Denim Jacket: (similar)
Block Heel Sandals: Target (exact-size 9)

Bag: (similar)
Necklace: (similar)

 

If you want some easy options to carry you through the rest of the summer, I’ve rounded up more cute, affordable dresses below.  Dresses are SO easy to wear, so you can get dressed effortlessly and get on with all that summer fun!

 

More Cute, Affordable Summer Dresses

Swipe through to shop them all

 


 

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