Barbecues—Loose and draped are the key components of a good barbecue dress. Keep it casual but cute, and make sure it leaves room for seconds!
Forever 21 Smocked Paisley Dress, $22.80, available at Forever 21; Cynthia Rowley Confetti Flirt Dress, $365, available at Cynthia Rowley; Marc by Marc Jacobs Multistripe Silk Dress, $685, available at Stylebop; AllSaints Ikat Dress, $165, available at AllSaints.
Day Weddings—A little peacocking never hurts during the daytime. Channel your inner Draper with ’50s silhouettes and dainty prints.
Topshop Pink Tulip Pattern Fifties Dress, $100, available at Topshop; Leifsdottir Blue Morpho Shift Dress, $348, available at Leifsdottir; Conscious Collection Brocade Dress, $49.53, available in-store at H&M.
Formal Weddings—It’s time to wear that show-it-off dress you’ve been dreaming about. Choose bright colors in light but luxe fabrics.
Sachin + Babi Angelina Dress, $660, available at 25 Park; Dorothy Perkins Coral V-Back Dress, $82.58, available at Dorothy Perkins; Gestuz Tie Dye Maxi Dress, $448.25, available at ASOS.
Beach—Those too-sheer, too-short, and too-seductive dresses are your friends in this case. Look for dresses in crumple- and bleed-resistent materials
Topshop Cream Crochet Swing Dress, $100, available at Topshop; Calypso St. Barth Bandana Print Dress, $165, available at Calypso St. Barth; Rag & Bone Stripe Beach Tank Dress, $175, available at Rag & Bone.
Brunch—You’re not going to be moving around much, so this is the time to wear a dainty dress in a sitting-pretty silhouette. Just don’t spill!
Nydia Dress, $105, available at Urban Outfitters; Thread Social Cutout Cotton Strapless Dress, $650, available at Net-A-Porter; French Connection Bright Check Maxi Dress, $173.92, available at ASOS.
Outdoor Festivals—You’re going to be rocking out in the beating sun all day, so, extremely lightweight dresses in bright, colorful prints are our festival M.O. Check out our Coachella fashion story for more suggestions!
Sass & Bide Simple Not Easy Silk Maxi, $685, available at Glassworks Studios; Seneca Rising Odyssey Cutout Dress, $140, available at Nasty Gal; Parker Ruffle Dress, $188, available at Barneys New York; Forever 21 Abstract Print Strapless Maxi dress, $22.80, available at Forever 21.
BubblesPop 