Warm weather is in full swing, which means it’s time to swap your leggings with pockets for something a bit more breezy. Whether you’re looking to upgrade last year’s go-to or simply want something new, the best summer dresses for women over 50 are a closet staple. They take you from running errands to dinner dates, brunch with your friends to beach cover-ups.
Mature does not need to mean matronly. Women of every age should feel confident in what they wear, and these dresses we’re sharing will help you feel just that. No matter your body type or preferred style, there’s a dress here that fits your needs. Looking for something casual to wear on hot summer days that’s budget-friendly and cute? We’ve got you covered with some Amazon finds (some even on sale for Prime Day!). Or maybe you’re on the prowl for a more elevated frock for a special event—we have you covered on that front too (check out the dresses we found from Nordstrom and Anthropologie).
And of course, we couldn’t forget chic picks for your summer vacation, too—including flowy, beach-ready maxi dresses, cover-ups to wear over your bathing suit, and plenty more. Psst: If you’re looking for something more formal, some of these picks can even be dressed up as a cocktail dress or a spring wedding guest dress, too!
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Best Comfy Summer Dress
Hount Summer Sleeveless Maxi Dress
Table of Contents
- Hount Summer Sleeveless Maxi Dress
- Tuckernuck Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress
- Derek Lam 10 Crosby Tora Floral Cotton Dress
- Anrabess Casual Summer Sleeveless Ruffle Sundress
- Manydress Summer Casual T-Shirt Dresses
- Prettygarden Summer Wrap Maxi Dress
- Zara zara.com
- Columbia Freezer III Dress
- Brovave Casual Boho Sundress
- Ann Taylor anntaylor.com
- Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress
- OLD NAVY Fit & Flare Sleeveless Linen-Blend Midi Dress
- Lauren Ralph Lauren Linen Shirtdress
- How to choose the best summer dress
- How we chose the best summer dresses for women over 50
- Why trust us
Earning over 11,000 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers, this casual, comfy dress is made of a soft, stretchy material that’s great for summer days. With a sleeveless design and a flattering maxi length, it also features stretchy elastic at the waist for a comfy, flattering fit and comes in more than 25 colors. Plus: It has pockets!
What reviewers say: “This dress is so comfortable and flattering…It’s like wearing a comfy t-shirt. Best part? Pockets! I love the fit, style, and colors. I think this is going to be a spring/summer staple for my Florida wardrobe.”
| Material | 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex |
| Colors | 26 |
| Sizes | S-XXL |
Looking for something comfy and breezy that still feels dressy and chic? Opt for a classic shirt dress like this top-rated pick from Tuckernuck. Made of lightweight, breathable cotton, it features a classic collar and long-sleeve button cuffs, as well as a playful flounce hemline. Bonus: It has pockets, too!
What reviewers say: “The perfect spring/summer dress for any gathering! I get so many compliments every time I wear this! The bottom detail is so cute and makes this dress easy to dress up or down.”
| Material | 100% cotton |
| Colors | 9 |
| Sizes | XXS-XXXL |
Deputy Editor, Health Newsroom, Marisa Cohen recommends this dress, which she wore for a taping of Jeopardy! (That’s right, catch her on the trivia show!).
What we say: “I needed a fresh, fun, stylish dress for a television appearance, and I found this designer beauty on sale. Totally worth the splurge! It fits and flares in the exact right spots for my petite top and curvy bottom. The V-neck was a little low cut for me, but I found the perfect matching cami to go underneath. I have now worn this for lunch out with friends and to work, and plan to keep it in the rotation all summer long.”
| Material | Cotton |
| Colors | 1 |
| Sizes | 00-14 |
Stay cool and stylish in this flowy ruffled sleeveless dress from Amazon that’s under $50. It comes in 16 colors and has two side pockets, adding to its appeal as a shopper favorite.
What reviewers say: “I live in Mexico, so I am always looking for the perfect comfortable dress, and this is it! The dress is so flattering and the material is so soft!”
| Material | Polyester, rayon, spandex |
| Colors | 25 |
| Sizes | S-2XL |
A fan-favorite among Amazon customers, this above-the-knee swing dress comes in a wide range of fun colors and prints. It also has short sleeves, a round neck, and buttons.
What reviewers say: “This dress has a super comfortable material and is true to size. It’s worth the price, and I bought four different colors, and I can wear as a dress or over capri length leggings,” wrote one customer.
| Material | Polyester |
| Colors | 27 |
| Sizes | S-2XL |
You can never go wrong with a good wrap dress—especially if it comes in a flattering maxi length and a beautiful floral print like this one. Plus, it’s available in a whopping 27 different color and print options, so you’re bound to find one that you like.
What reviewers say: “There is plenty of wrap for modesty and the bodice has a snap closure to keep the bust opening secure. The material does not stretch, so buy your normal size. I’m super happy with this light weight fashionable dress and plan to wear on several future cruise dinners.”
| Material | Polyester, Spandex |
| Colors | 41 |
| Sizes | XS – 2XL |
Zara is a go-to for a few editors at Prevention. Senior Editor, Health Newsroom, Gina Way, swears that the fast fashion brand’s frocks last for years.
What we say: “My go-to at the beginning of summer or when I need a fashion pick-me-up. I still get compliments on Zara summer frocks that I bought online over 10 years ago! Despite what you may think, the clothes I’ve purchased at Zara are really well made, considering the budget-friendly price. The dress options are beyond extensive on the zara.com site and for me it’s less stressful to shop online—and returns are super easy to make. I’m 5’1 so I focus my dress search on shorter (above the knee or midi length) styles, so the dress doesn’t overwhelm my petite frame. (A voluminous, long caftan is a dealbreaker for me, although there are lots of great ones at Zara.) I also prefer mostly breathable cotton or linen fabrics in the NYC humidity and the fabric info is front and center on the website. Zara always has wildly great sales too. This one is loose, effortless, and could work as a beach coverup, an easy throw-it-on dress for brunch, or could totally work for the office with a pair of chic flats.”
| Material | Cotton, viscose, polyester |
| Colors | 1 |
| Sizes | XS-XL |
Do you tend to get hot pretty quickly? If so, you’ll love this dress. It’s designed with unique, advanced sweat-wicking technology that pulls moisture away from the body, helping keep you cool. Plus, it comes with UPF 30 protection and helps block out UVA and UVB rays, according to the brand. And did we mention there are also so many color and pattern options to choose from?
What reviewers say: “It is perfect to pack when traveling. Lightweight, doesn’t wrinkle and it has pockets!”
| Material | Polyester, elastane |
| Colors | 50+ |
| Sizes | XS – 3XL |
This soft, polka dot-printed dress is made from lightweight viscose fabric, and tons of reviewers rave that it’s the “perfect summer dress.” It has spaghetti straps, a scoop neck, adorable button detailing, and a tie at the waist.
What reviewers say: “I never write reviews, but this dress was perfect,” wrote an Amazon shopper. “I felt cool and confident all day. I didn’t need Spanx because it wasn’t clingy.”
| Material | Viscose |
| Colors | 30 |
| Sizes | S – 2XL |
This cute and comfy dress is an upgraded version of a classic house dress and is available in 28 colors and patterns. Pockets on both sides give you a place for your phone, keys, sunglasses, and other essentials.
What reviewers say: “It’s very nice to wear at home and for hot weather. The material is very light, feels comfortable, and cozy.”
| Material | Cotton, polyester |
| Colors | 27 |
| Sizes | L – 2XL |
Cons
Ann Taylor is a favorite for a reason. With loads of options for regular, petite, and tall frames, the brand constantly churns out classic styles at a reasonable price point. This one is an instant favorite, thanks to its flattering tie-waist, button-up design, and subtle puff sleeves.
What reviewers say: “I wasn’t expecting to LOVE, but I do!!! I normally wear a 6, but the 4 was perfect! I would size down. The perfect dress for any occasion…whether you’re on your way to work or out the door to a Golf Tournament…this is your dress and YES, it has pockets! You can change things up and switch out belts. Be sure to check out the pretty embroidered details on the sleeves and why not pop the collar!!!” wrote one over-65 Ann Taylor customer.
| Material | Cotton |
| Colors | 1 |
| Sizes | 00-18 |
Deputy Digital Director Emily Goldman owns this in a black and floral pattern and gets nothing but compliments every time she wears it. “I love how flattering the ruched waist is, the hook-and-eye clasp in the bust offers reassurance that nothing will pop open, and the slide cap sleeve is perfect for those wanting some arm coverage,” she says.
What reviewers say: “I really love this dress. The material is just right, a little light so it’s not too hot, but thick enough to feel like good quality. The waist is nicely pulled in to give you a lovely silhouette. I am short (5’1”), so I ordered the petite and it is long but still nice. I can see this being great for any occasion.”
| Material | Unlisted |
| Color | 8 |
| Sizes | XXS-3X |
Etsy may not be your first thought for clothes, but Executive Editor Stephanie Dolgoff buys her summer dresses from the site. This breezy dress comes in an array of sizes, and because it’s Etsy, there’s even an option for a custom size.
What we say: “I have it in Navy and I get so many compliments. Obviously, linen is key in the summer, and while this has a slip dress vibe, it is not body-con, which is not for me these days. The ties that come from the back can be crossed under your breasts to give it an empire waist situation, which I find flattering on most people.”
| Material | Linen |
| Colors | 30+ |
| Sizes | XS-XXL, Custom available |
If you’re looking for a classic style under $50, OLD NAVY has a slew of options. We love this midi dress that screams warm-weather fun with a flouncy skirt, thick straps (meaning most bras will work with it!), and a subtle, modest sweetheart neckline. It’s available in petite, regular, and tall lengths and in extended sizes. Plus, it has pockets!
What reviewers say: “I adore this dress! Perfect summer dress that could easily transition to fall with a Jean jacket or cute cardigan!”
| Material | Linen, viscose rayon |
| Colors | 6 |
| Sizes | XS-4X |
Linen is *the* fabric of summer. Stay cool and classy in this shirt dress with a tie waist that offers a flattering touch. Whether you’re hourglass or pear-shaped, this dress will accentuate your curves. And it’s available up to a size 18.
What reviewers say: “This dress is perfection! The linen is weighty and drapes at the same time. The pockets are a plus. The cut is classic and flattering…Beautiful piece!”
| Material | Linen |
| Colors | 1 |
| Sizes | 0-18 |
How to choose the best summer dress
✔️ Choose the right fabric. One of the easiest ways to stay cool in warm temperatures is by wearing lighter fabrics. Go for materials like cotton, chambray, rayon, and linen, which are breathable and easier to wear in the summer.
✔️ Consider the occasion. A beach wedding may call for something that’s dressy and full-coverage (don’t want a sunburn!), whereas strolls in the park allow for something short and casual. It’s always good to have a few summer dresses you can pick from for different needs.
✔️ Think of price per wear. Not every summer dress needs to be expensive, but sometimes you find the perfect dress and want to splurge. Figure out how frequently you’ll wear the dress and decide if the price per wear is worth the spend.
How we chose the best summer dresses for women over 50
We conducted our own research and and sifted through hundreds of online reviews to find the best summer dresses for women over 50 available.
Why trust us
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
Emily Goldman is the deputy digital director at Prevention. She’s spent her career editing and writing about health, wellness, beauty, fashion, and food for Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, Good Housekeeping, and more. She’s loved all things health and wellness since starting her bi-weekly podcast Pancreas Pals—a series all about the highs and lows of living life with type 1 diabetes. When not podcasting, she spends most of her time curled up with a good book or watching a period piece on BBC.
Shannen Zitz is an Assistant Editor at Prevention, where she covers all things lifestyle, wellness, beauty, and relationships. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Prevention, she graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor’s degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.
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