Summer 2011 Dresses: The Heat Wave Solution

The Northeast is experiencing its first heat wave of summer 2011. Standing in my closet doorway this morning, I knew there was only one thing to do: I grabbed a summer dress like the one above. The summer dress is the perfect solution to warm weather styling for women over 50 for lots of reasons. My favorite reasons are: 1) a dress is one-piece, making it super easy to get dressed—no mixing and matching. Just throw on the dress and a pair of sandals and voila—you’re good to go; 2) the lack of a waistband makes a dress feel lighter, cooler; and 3) dresses are perfect for busy day-to-evening schedules. If I know I’m going out after work, a dress looks great for office and a concert. If I don’t know how formal a day-time activity is going to be, I wear a dress to be on the safe side. One last personal reason I love summer dresses: I hardly ever wear fall or winter dresses. It’s just too cold! So the summer dress is a much needed change of pace.

Summer dresses seem to fall into one of two categories: formal or play dresses. For this post, I'm going to show you a few of each. By the way...Now until June 13, 11:59 PM EST, Anne Klein is offering 40% off on any of its online dresses. I’m posting dresses from all my favorite online clothing companies for over 50 women, but I featuring lots of AK garments so you can see what’s available. Click on any of the photos for details or to see other dress choices.

SOPHISTICATED LADY
Got an important business dinner or formal evening out coming up? Or, perhaps, a wedding? Here are a few of my favorite formal summer dresses...





Anne Klein Airwaves Jacquard Dress, Ships 5/12 Sheath Dress (White) ($148)








Anne Klein Ikat Taffeta Dress, Ships 5/12 Ikat Printed Taffeta Dress (Blue) ($168)







Anne Klein Floral Print Belted Dress, Ships 7/15 (Multi/Pattern) ($129)







Anne Klein Line Print Belted Dress, Ships 7/15 (Black) ($129)









Anne Klein Bi-Stretch dress, Ships 6/15 (Brown) ($118)










Diane von Furstenberg Dinna Dress ($445.00)




PLAY DATES
Dresses in ultra-light cotton, cotton jersey, and denim are great for running errands or sipping Mojitos at that favorite restaurant on the wharf with friends. Take for instance, the Michael Stars Micro Jersey Raw Edge Surplice Dress ($148.00) at the top of this post. Depending on your jewelry and sandals, you can keep it fun or dress it up a bit. It's available in 2 colors. Or...





Nanette Lepore Sea Biscuit Dress ($348)









Jones New York Shawl Wrap Dress ($128.00)


The Juicy Couture Washed Linen Dress ($228) below may look like a mini, but that's because it's being modeled by an Amazon woman. It's 32" long, which puts a few inches above my knee. When shopping online, it's a good idea to know how many inches you can wear comfortably. For me, a 32" length is the shortest dress I'd feel comfortable with.








Patterson J. Kincaid Linen Priscilla Tank Dress ($128). I love this dress. But I might try it with a scoop neck camisole, if the dress is cut too low.







Michael Stars Micro Spandex Sleeveless Surplice Dress (Was $124.00, Now $86.80)





Jones New York Floral V-Neck Dress - Pink ($128)

Denim may be a little too much for a heat wave, but for cooler summer days, it's a great choice. I love this Jones New York Sleeveless Denim Shirt Dress ($99)





For more summer dresses, visit Top 10 Dress Styles for Women Over 50