The Best Casual Summer Dresses for Moms

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If there’s one item in my closet that gets the most mileage in my summer wardrobe, it’s an easy, flattering dress. Whether I’m chasing kids, nursing a baby, or just trying to look semi-put-together for errands and park hangs, I’ve found a few go-to summer dress styles that make getting dressed feel effortless (and if I’m not in a dress, I’m in one of these easy-to-recreate mom looks). Dresses happen to be my favorite thing to shop for, since they make an entire outfit on their own.

Most of the options below are breastfeeding-friendly (I’m still breastfeeding, so every dress I wear has to be nursing-friendly), work great with sneakers or sandals, and can be dressed up or down. I also always wear shorts under shorter dresses to avoid any wardrobe mishaps.

The Best Summer Dresses for Moms (Stylish, Comfortable, and Functional)

1. Maxi Dresses

Maxi dresses are my secret weapon in the summer. They instantly feel elevated (I get a compliment almost every time I wear one), but they’re still easy. The length means I don’t have to worry about bending over to pick up a toddler or chasing after a runaway snack cup. The key is to find a maxi dress made of a fabric that isn’t fussy and doesn’t require special care or laundering (because what person has time for regular dry cleaning runs?).

Best for: Casual days, brunch, beach trips, or church

Why I love them: Flattering, comfy, and great for movement. Bonus: many are nursing-friendly if they have a smocked top.

Style tip: Add sandals and a crossbody bag, and you’re good to go.

My top picks:

Frank and Eileen Rory Dress

This Rory maxi dress is shockingly flattering (I assumed it would swallow me since I’m 5’1″, but it looks great), and easy to style. I got an XS and style with neutral woven slide sandals and gold jewelry. Cuff or roll the sleeves and call it a day. While Frank and Eileen is pricey, the brand was made by moms (for moms) and everything is washable. HIGHLY recommend!

Hill House Ellie Nap Dress

I suppose the Ellie Nap Dress is technically a midi dress, but it fits me more like a maxi since I’m petite! Regardless, the Ellie Nap Dress is the world’s perfect everyday dress for summer. It can be dressed down with white sneakers (I wear white sneakers with tons of dresses) or sandals, and it’s easily dressy enough to wear to church, a date, or a lunch with friends when styled with the right shoes. I wear an XS in the nap dress (in all Hill House dresses I own, actually). This is a perfect nursing-friendly dress since the smocking easily pulls down.

The Tobie Button-Front Pleated Shirt Dress by Exquise

I own a very similar dress that quickly sold out, but this Tobie dress is so similar that I had to include it. I love this waist-pleat situation I’m seeing all over these days. This dress is perfect for everyday occasions due to its polished collar and button-front design. The maxi length makes it easy to wear without worrying about bending over.

2. T-Shirt Dresses

T-shirt dresses are the ultimate mom uniform. They’re comfy, washable, and they go with everything. I love that you can throw on a t-shirt dress with sneakers or sandals, and you feel feminine and cute without much effort. T-shirt dresses are also easy to pair with ball caps, pony tails, or other casual hairstyles.

Best for: Errands, preschool pickup, lounging

Why I love them: Easy to throw on, super versatile, and often made from breathable cotton.

Style tip: Pair with white sneakers and a belt bag for an everyday look.

My top picks:

Navy Aimee Mini Dress

My favorite t-shirt dress right now is the Navy Aimee Mini Dress from Tuckernuck. The contrasting neckline makes it more interesting than a plain shirt dress, and the soft jersey fabric makes it comfortable enough to wear all day. I also happen to think Navy is the best option for a shirt dress since you’ll be able to wear it with any color shoe. I’d wear this most often with my favorite Cariuma white sneakers.

Vintage Mini T-Shirt Dress

The first t-shirt dress that comes to mind is the Vintage Mini T-Shirt Dress from Old Navy. It’s casual, stretchy, and comes in a ton of colors. It’s also incredibly affordable, which is hard to beat. This dress doesn’t have a ton of shape, which makes it a nice option when you don’t want to wear something fitted.

Athleta Essential Tee Dress

If you want something a bit more elevated, the Essential Tee Dress from Athleta is a great option. The quality of all Athleta clothes is phenomenal, and since t-shirt dresses are great for wearing regularly, it may be worth investing in one that’s a bit nicer than Old Navy.

3. Shirtdresses

When I think of shirtdresses, I think of anything with a collar. These are probably my favorite style of dress to wear since they feel polished and nice without being fussy. I wear shirt dresses with everything from sneakers to loafers.

Best for: Lunch dates, school events, casual work days.

Why I love them: Button fronts make them easy for nursing, and the fit is super forgiving.

Style tip: Wear with loafers or flat sandals and a structured tote.

My top picks

Charlie Sleeveless Shirt Dress

The Charlie Shirtdress might be my favorite dress of all time. I’ve always been a fan of sleeveless tops and dresses, and this one hits in all the right places. The length is great for all-day wear, and it’s not too short when paired with heels (the easiest heels to wear with this dress are the Stacy sandals from Target). The front placket is also functional, which makes it a great nursing-friendly option. I wear an XS in this. In the photos below, I’m wearing canvas Tretorn sneakers, which are on my list of favorite white sneakers.

Poplin Short Sleeve Ruffle Shirt Dress

I’ve become quite a fan of Quince this past year, and their Poplin Short Sleeve Ruffle Shirt Dress was my most recent purchase. It’s the perfect mix of feminine and polished.

Callahan Shirt Dress

Another favorite of mine: the Callahan Shirt Dress (also from Tuckeruck, shocker). This is a simple, throw-and-go dress that pairs well with sneakers, sandals, and loafers. I appreciate that the sleeves can be worn cuffed or full-length. I wear these Amazon biker shorts underneath every single time since the ruffled hem can quickly catch the wind if you’re not careful.

Frank and Eileen Mary Shirtdress

Another Frank and Eileen favorite! The Mary dress looks just like the Rory Maxi dress, but it’s the short version. It’s casual, comfortable, and an effortless option for warm days since it’s lightweight. This lends itself to more casual outfits (compared to the Tuckernuck options above) because of the material. I recommend styling the Mary dress with neutral sandals for the summer. And again, even though it’s pricey, it’s washable and easy to wear around kids.

4. Sundresses

Nothing says summer like a classic sundress. I look for styles with wide straps, soft fabrics, and a little bit of shape.

Best for: Weekend adventures, farmers markets, casual gatherings

Why I love them: Breezy and cute but still functional for mom life.

Style tip: Throw on a straw hat and comfy sandals.

My top picks:

Block Print Flounce Dress

I was recently gifted the Renwick Block Print Flounce Dress, and I’m obsessed with how cute it is! It has a very traditional shift style, but the skirt has a little more flair than usual. It’s sleeveless (great for hot days), and the pattern is hand-printed by artisans in Jaipur, so each one is unique. And yes, you can throw this straight in your washing machine.

Livro Day Dress

Livro is a brand I discovered this past fall, and their spring and summer collections are fun and bright – just scrolling their site makes me happy. The Day Dress is breezy and relaxed, and the buttons are functional for nursing. Puff sleeves instantly elevate a simple silhouette without adding effort. It also has pockets – what could be better? Style this dress with white sneakers or flat sandals (maybe these bow slides from Amazon).

Sailor Puff Sleeve Denim Minidress

This Sailor Puff Sleeve Denim Minidress from FRAME is a great example of an easy summer dress for moms. It’s casual but elevated (the covered buttons and oversized collar make it unique), but the denim material makes it casual and easy to pair with sneakers or sandals or even dress up a tad with heels (see how I dressed this FRAME dress up here).

Black Emma Button Down Mini Dress

This Black Emma Button-down Mini Dress is at the top of my wishlist! I love the front buttons, curved hem, and high neckline. This would look fantastic with loafers or sandals (it’d be a great work dress!). A black mini dress is a wardrobe essential for any season.

6. Athletic Dresses

These sport dresses are wonders are made for moms who are constantly on the move. They’re stretchy, breathable, and often come with hidden pockets. I wear mine for everything from stroller walks to splash pad outings.

Best for: Errands, playground days, walks, travel days

Style tip: Toss on a baseball cap and sneakers for the ultimate “cool mom” look. Some even double as swimsuit cover-ups.

My Top Picks

Tate Dress

The Tate Dress from Fore-té is such a flattering athletic dress that could be worn on or off the golf course or tennis court. It’s made from a UPF50+ fabric (amazing for us moms in the no-sun-club), and has a cute zippered mock-neck collar. The liner shorts have pockets (win!) and you can pull them down to use the restroom without taking off the whole dress (MAJOR win).

Amazon Tennis Dress

Everyone needs a simple tennis dress in their wardrobe for athleisure outfits. This Amazon Tennis dress is flattering, affordable, comfortable, and comes in a few colors. I have a size XS and wear mine with New Balance 327 sneakers.

A. Putnam Garden Dress

The Garden Dress from A. Putnam is one of my favorite athletic dresses that can also be worn in everyday life. It’s technically designed for golf, but I wear mine on and off the course. The fit is flattering but not too tight, the material is functional for chasing kids around or wearing on a walk with friends, and the patterns and colors look cute with all sorts of shoes (I opt for loafers and sneakers most often).

When you’re a mom, the right summer dress is about more than just looking cute. It needs to move with you, hold up to spills, and ideally work for nursing if you’re in that season. Prioritize breathable fabrics (like cotton and linen), look for dresses with a little stretch or room, and always, always wear shorts underneath the shorter ones—trust me.

And if you’re looking to round out your warm-weather wardrobe, check out these posts too:

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